Traditional Leaders Profiles
Paramount Chief Isaac Ruot Lam War Kur of the Lou
Nuer, Upper Nile State
‘There is no [future
for the] community with the gun.’
Paramount Chief Isaac Ruot Lan War Kur is a man with a lot
on his mind. He is here despite the ongoing troubles plaguing
his people, the Lou Nuer, his scarified brow furrowed in thought
on an otherwise young looking face. He is torn in describing
the nature of exactly what is going on. ‘There are no
problems in the area,’ he says. He then qualifies: ‘The
SPLA soldiers and the young men of the community, there are
disarmament clashes. There is much confusion between the White
Army (militia) and the government. [But] there is no [future
for the] community with the gun.’
Despite serving as paramount chief for 14 years, since the
age of 33, Chief Isaac is feeling the pressures of office.
‘I have 6 chiefs and 24 headmen under me. People said,
why are you going now? I felt pressure to stay.’
He is happier recalling earlier times, despite the undoubted
challenges of that period. ‘My community is big, and
was divided in 1992. I was nominated by the community [as
sub-chief], and the territory was divided. I mobilised the
government for food for soldiers, recruited soldiers for the
SPLA. There were clashes, [we] left the SPLA. [But] we could
not leave Dr Garang. [Some] soldiers came back and [some]
were forced to join Riek [Machar]. Other Nuer are town people,
[but we] were fighting. [We have] no river…in the winter
people run for water.’
Aware of some of the negative impressions surrounding his
community, he readily admits his job is not easy. ‘[When
there is] infighting, [we] cut the ground with the spear and
then cross the line. Convince them to believe you, call the
government. If you don’t participate, they will reject
you,’ he says. ‘Traditional leaders should be
for traditional laws. Chiefs have been enforcing the law of
the government.’
Quiet and reserved on the trip, he is reluctant to express
himself in English, and has to be steadily encouraged to speak.
But when the opportunity to speak in Nuer or Dinka presents
itself, Isaac comes alive, and his comments have the floor’s
complete attention. For him, the chief lesson of the trip
is in the preservation of traditions and ideals, even in modernising
societies. ‘Even the customs are respected. The cultures
are being kept intact. Traditional cultures have not been
influenced by colonial rule or governments. [In Sudan we need]
chiefs so that they will all come under one voice.’
He listens intently to the comments made about his people
by the other leaders (see profile of Chief Manytong). His
response is unequivocal, if brief. ‘Our journey [as
a people] is far. I am sad the trip is over.’
