Photo of a Dinka family in front of their traditional mud hut

The white cloth hanging in the background is a "dumuria" net. "Dumuria" means cotton - a "dumuria" net is a traditional mosquito net sewn out of pieces of cotton. The dumuria net is preferred by the Dinka over mesh mosquito nets for a variety of reasons - it keeps you warm during the cold season, provides privacy and "protection from enemies," and is stronger and less likely to tear.

Malaria is the leading cause of death among children under five in nearly every county of South Sudan. Malaria is easily prevented by sleeping under a mosquito net every night.

Ref: Feb 25 06_002 South Sudan Photos

Location: Rumbek, South Sudan

Photographer: Irene Abdou