The Toposa of South Sudan
Pray for the Toposa of South Sudan. They are one of the largest groups in South Sudan, but are being marginalised by the government. They live in a dry rugged land and raise cattle. They are often in conflict with other groups and raid cattle from across the Kenyan and Ugandan borders. They are traditionally animists, praying and making sacrifices through a medium.
Population: 700,000-1 million
Location and Background: One of the largest tribal groups in S. Sudan, the Toposa live in organized villages in an arid, rugged, hilly land with vegetation of shrubs and grass, and seasonal streams.
History: The Toposa are part of the Ateker cluster, believing they moved away from the Losolia Mountains in Uganda due to drought. They believe that when the first people (Murle and Didinga) arrived they cheated the Toposa by taking the gazelle meat and leaving only soup for the Toposa. This precipitated the split. Successive governments in Khartoum and Juba have marginalized the Toposa. At some point they were armed by the north to fight the SPLA but later changed sides. They have regular disputes with other groups in their area, and also raid tribes in Kenya and Uganda.
Culture: A patrilineal society, cultural norms and values are passed to children early. Culture is transmitted orally through songs, dance, music, poems and folklore. Much has to do with the accumulation and keeping of large herds of cattle. The boys are put in age-sets and taught to herd. The girls look after the home, and care for the elderly and smaller siblings. Men wear a draped cloth, and women wear leather skirts embellished with colored beads. Both men and women scar their bodies. The young men are proud of the beauty of their hair. They abhor the practice of circumcision. Interestingly, they do not count people or animals. They share certain totems and body marks, and they come together for social occasions such as dances, marriages, funerals and cattle raids. Decisions are made by the men as a community. Respect for elders is mandatory.
Religion: The Toposa believe in the existence of a supreme being and the spirits of departed ones. They pray and make sacrifices, using a medium. Chiefs, sub-chiefs, medicine men, and witchdoctors all wield administrative and spiritual power. They believe chiefs are nearer to God by virtue of their wisdom.
Learn more about the Toposa at Joshua Project or about South Sudan at their official website.
Latest Prayer Updates:
Urgent Prayer Request for Our School and Children
Due to extreme temperatures and the lack of food support from WFP, we have been forced to close the school and send the children home. Only Grade 8 students have remained, as we are managing with the little food left.
Many of our children come from far—some walking 80 to 100km to attend school. Some have guardians who have picked them up, but others, especially orphans, have nowhere to go and have chosen to stay. Many have also fallen sick due to the high temperatures.
At this moment, nothing else can change the situation except prayer. Please join us in praying for:
•Provision of food so the school can reopen fully in three weeks.
•Health and protection for the children, especially those who are sick.
•Strength and encouragement for the orphans and those with no safe place to go.
•Rain and relief from the harsh conditions.
Psalm 121:1-2 – “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” May God make a way where there seems to be none.
Month-long outreach
The four leaders of the Toposa team have embarked on a one-month apostolic outreach to Lochoa, seeking persons of peace and strengthening the 11 churches in the area. Artis and Jejo, who are currently in Naliel, will later follow up with them and provide the necessary supplies to support the work.
Please pray for the Toposa Apostolic team as they step out in radical obedience, reaching the lost and building up the body of Christ. Also, pray that God provides the needed supplies—Bibles, audio Bibles, and Jesus film—to equip and disciple the people they reach.
