Nuerland
Nuerland Ro̱l Naath | |
|---|---|
| Largest city | Bentiu |
| Recognised national languages | Nuer language (Thok Naath) |
| Religion | Christianity (syncretistic or otherwise), Nuer religion |
| Demonym(s) | Nuer people |
| Area | |
• Total | 98,419.5482 km2 (38,000.0000 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Estimate | 4.5 million |
| Today part of | part of South Sudan and Ethiopia |
Nuerland (Thok Naath: Ro̱l Naath, Arabic:بلد النوير, Nickname: the True Savannah) is the indigenous homeland and traditional territory of the Nuer people, situated largely within South Sudan between the latitudes of 7° and 10° north and longitudes of 29° and 32° east. The region encompasses parts of the Upper Nile State, Jonglei State, Unity State, and surrounding areas, characterized by a mix of swamps, savannahs, and higher ground.
The Nuer are a Nilotic ethnic group primarily engaged in pastoralism, with cattle playing a central role in their economy, social structure, and cultural practices. The landscape of Nuerland, marked by its seasonal floods, dictates the semi-nomadic lifestyle of the Nuer, who move between higher grounds and swampy areas in accordance with the dry and wet seasons.
Historically, the Nuer have had a complex relationship with neighboring ethnic groups, including Dinka people and Shilluk people, and colonial powers, often marked by conflict and competition over resources.