Remembering Mother Teresa Nyankol Mathiang Dut: The Revolutionary South Sudanese Singer Who Wrote and Sang Revolutionary War Songs about the Liberation of South Sudan and Abyei
By Awuol Gabriel Arok, Juba, South Sudan
Monday, March 11, 2019 (ChildBride Solidarity) — September, 22nd 2012 was the day our dear mother and sister Mama Teresa Nyankol Mathiang Dut’s precious life was slashed by the invisible hand of death. Teresa Nyankol Mathiang Dut born in Abyei of Ngok Dinka to Mathiang Dut’s family was a South Sudan great Artist, in her aptitude as the daughter of the then Sudan she inspired generations of Sudanese since 1970s through her cultural, socio-economic and political narrations in songs.
Human lives on wishes and remembrances, a tall tree that has fallen along the busy road cannot goes without being notice by the regular travelers; Mama Nyankol had South Sudan in heart and has done what a devoted daughter can do to her motherland.
Throughout the liberation eras to the independent of South Sudan until the time her beautiful and celebrated life was pierced by poisoned thorn of death, she had acted as a mother, daughter and counselor to the marginalized people of Southern Sudan, New Sudan and South Sudan.
A clear stand that can be testified through some of her songs such as:
Pioou kace thong nhom ka mieth ke panda…..Doot ku baai da ku baai ka waar wuok, ….dhieeth wuoke riakic ku beerku diere riakic….. Achieek aca nyong e wanmath,…guo nyina angoong….Tinge Junub adhieeu, menhe Junub adhiaau weei; …lene Junub adhiaau dine Junub adhieeth weei;….ting jook adhiaau baba ka dhieeu weei…. Adhueng cheng pal acin ran ruai ke yen……..Chee weete beere nyin,….Abyien Deng Kuol…….Rienydit de John,…..Garang Mabior ace mel kueng;….. jenny de SPLA…Panduon caake kuoi looi abi wee dhuok wade;…. Ting e dhieeth, ting e dhieeth menhde….baa yii wache ngo?………Wee taang keek wee miith ke panda; ku beer thonoou wee miith ke panden cool,…….duoke nhiim emar e chengduon,….Kedan echuku luel woo Anok, kedan e chuku luel woo maathdiee,….ba yii leec Anok nge ting adhueng,….Atheek ku Nhieer, nhieer ku antheek……Yan aleec Nhialic ku yan aleec madhol,……riel abi achiek juakic…, ku wel woo nhiim root buku rot ya caam ce mene laai toou roor……..Eriel hee Nhialic,…pan Deng Deng Makeragok…..New Sudan da ka lo tueng……Hee riel e tim cool abyei,…….Abyei awich luooi mieth kaa Abyei….Abiook rier ke SPLM…….Piny araamweer,……machaar Akone Buoi….
Nyankol is one of the South Sudan super heroines whose number on the chart of greatness will ever remain undisturbed.
She has done the noble goal of motivating mothers, children, fathers and freedom fighters during the bitter years of the armed struggle against the Khartoum regimes through her cherished songs.
Her prophetic and artistic style of singing was so exceptional and above all she was a producer of constructive and informative music that will ever be missed by South Sudanese and the world of Art.
Her music was among the liberation’s pillars and those who appreciate the role of music in the society will celebrate her beautiful life through her historic songs ever and ever, forever.
Nyankol love and dedication will remains among her people through her songs; and purely her angelic voice will never be forgotten by the generations of South Sudanese.
Awuol Gabriel Arok, a Writer and a Poet, has a Bachelor Degree in Social and Developmental Studies from the University of Juba, South Sudan, he is a Columnist with The Dawn Newspaper under column “The Motivation Bell”. He is the author of unpublished book titled ‘‘The Wisdom Horn’’ , he contributes to Websites and Social Media platforms on Issues concerning Social, Economic and Politic s and through his peaceful and developmental campaigns such as ‘‘Your Tribe is My Tribe’’, ‘‘Giving Heart Foundation’’, “Wisdom Testament”, “Classic Leadership Forum”, “Grace the Women Foundation”, “PeaceNet Initiative” and “Award for Development”. He can be reached via his email Address:jjmkamzeearokson@yahoo.com
ChildBride Solidarity (CBS) is a women-led South Sudanese national NGO that is dedicated to ending child marriage, early marriage, forced marriage and gender-based violence by empowering girls and young women to fulfill their true potentials through full participation in and positive contribution to the socioeconomic lives and political arenas of South Sudan. We feature inspirational, motivational and educational real life stories of women from South Sudan and in the diaspora under the following overarching themes: (1) Profiles in Courage, (2) Tales of Courage, (3) Spotlighting, and (4) Case Studies. If you want to submit an inspirational article or a motivational commentary on women empowerment and gender parity, please email it to info@childbridesolidarity.org. Please include your full name, a short biography, email address, city and the country you are writing from.
