The youth in Cueibet County of Lakes State have defiantly organized and carried out a cultural fattening show, disregarding the ban imposed by the recently passed Customary and Public Order Act 2022.
The event, held at the county headquarters, featured the presence of Governor Rin Tueny Mabor, representatives from various communities, government officials, and select NGO staff.
The show involved a competition showcasing cultural dances and sports events, uniting elderly individuals, youth, women, and local government authorities in Cueibet County.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, some civil society groups in the state strongly condemned the cultural fattening event, considering it a violation of the governor’s own legislation.
Daniel Laat Kon, a civil society activist from Lakes State, strongly condemned Governor Rin Tueny Mabor for openly violating the recently passed Customary Law. The law bans the youth from participating in cultural fattening shows due to the negative health effects associated with the practice.
“The fattening exercise is prohibited and banned under Section 49 of the Lakes State Customary Law and Public Order Act 2022. Engaging in fattening traditional practices is against the law, and upon conviction, individuals can face up to six months of imprisonment,” Kon stated.
Kon expressed disappointment in the selective application of the law, suggesting that it undermines the state’s progress. He pointed out that the governor, who signed the law into effect, attended the fattening show, thereby disregarding the ban on fattening.
“We strongly condemn this move as it violates the law. You cannot sign a law into effect and then violate it yourself,” Kon emphasized. “The law was passed by the governor and publicly launched in Rumbek freedom square. However, we have already seen numerous violations of the law’s sections. If the community is inviting the governor to such events, it means the ban on fattening, as stated in the customary law, is no longer being enforced and has not been amended.”
However, Warkou Run Arol, the paramount chief of Cueibet County, emphasized that fattening competitions are original cultural practices that unite the Gok community in Cueitbet County and contribute to peace and harmony.
“We have three activities that foster peace and harmony: fattening competition, the recently introduced wrestling competition from Yirol, which the youth are learning, and a football (sports) competition for the school children,” Arol explained.
The traditional leader revealed that he had invited Governor Rin Tueny Mabor to officially launch the fattening competitions. Chief Warkou pointed out the he personally donated two bulls for the competing teams.
Meanwhile, Marco Lueth Manyang, a youth intellectual from Cueibet County, urged Governor Rin Tueny Mabor to support the traditional practice of fattening. Manyang believed that promoting fattening could help reduce violence and polarization among communities.
“Fattening cultural shows unite and bring people together, similar to wrestling shows in Great Yirol and Bor,” Manyang explained. “People compete in fattening, and the winner receives awards. They slaughter bulls to celebrate the victory with friends, colleagues, relatives, and the wider community. These cultural events, including dancing, foster social cohesion and harmony.”
Manyang expressed concern that the governor, being from Yirol West County, where wrestling is a cultural activity, was attempting to introduce wrestling as an alternative cultural practice in Lakes State. He emphasized that wrestling is not part of the Gok community’s culture and should not be imposed on them.
“The governor, as a military man, is difficult to advise because he has his own way of governing the state. Any advice is perceived as a threat and undermines laws that were passed two years ago,” Manyang added.
“The governor should support the existing cultural practice of fattening. Fattening has been our dominant culture for hundreds of years. It has worked wonderfully and should be celebrated. It is my final advice to the governor to concentrate on other values that have been used to mitigate conflicts and promote peace, the rule of law, and good governance in Lakes State,” Manyang said.
When approached for comment on the banned fattening show, the State Minister of Culture, Youths, and Sports, William Koji Kirjok distanced himself from the matter, saying questions should be directed to the Commissioner of Cueibet County or the Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies.