"Band of Brothers"

Photo of Dinka boys from a cattle camp playing and singing traditional Dinka music near the village of Akot

Note the parallel line scars on the boy's forehead. These facial scars are performed as part of an initiation rite marking the passage of a boy into adulthood. Dinka youth living outside the cattle camp are brought back to the camps for initiation. Slight differences in the direction of the lines and number of lines in the scarring distinguish the different Dinka clans (Atuot, Aliab, Chiej, Agar, Gok, Rek, Twij, Malual, and Ngok), who often fight amongst each other.

Plaudits for this photo:

This image has been selected for exhibit at the 2008 Photographic Society of America (PSA) International Exhibition of Photography. Visit the News - "2008 PSA International Exhibition of Photography" page for further information.

Ref: IMG_2681 South Sudan Photos

Location: Eastern Rumbek, South Sudan

Photographer: Irene Abdou