Acknowledgements
The intellectual inspiration, empirical insights and time to write this book leave me filled with gratitude to a plethora of people over the last decade. My most profound thanks are owed to the people in Warrap and Unity States who generously gave their time to talk to me, to teach me, to share their stories and to respond to my questions. When I first went to South Sudan to teach in Warrap State in 2009, and when I first started learning about the material that appears in this book, I met fellow teachers and our last decade of conversations has been pivotal. Chirrilo Madut and Abraham Diing had just returned to South Sudan having lived in Kakuma Refugee Camp (Kenya). They were kind enough to include me in their conversations and daily lives. Over the last fourteen years, they have become some of my closest friends and most respected colleagues. I am looking forward to reading the books that they write, including their responses to this monograph. Chief Morris, Ajak Dit, Bol, Wol, Dut and Regina were also living nearby and helped me to learn and find a place in those villages. When I stayed in Unity State, James Gatkuoth was kind enough to welcome me to his home and to share endless ideas. He also introduced me to Latjor whose dedication to this community always humbles me. Chuol Gew has been an incredible mentor and his children are an inspiration. Gatwech has taught me so much, and Isaac and Matot continue to support my learning. South Sudan is logistically complicated, and I have spent a decade begging favours and asking advice. Tinega, Audrey, Hsiao-Wei, Glen, Chris, Ric, Pauline and Nelly have helped me in many ways at different times. Anna Rowett is also a constant rock for many of us.
Tim Allen and Sharon Hutchinson were key inspirations and mentors. Luka Biong, Zoe Cormack, Joshua Craze, Koen Vlassenroot, Jok Madut Jok, Nicki Kindersley, Alice Robinson and Glen Aronson were also particular intellectual inspirations, introducing me to new literatures or ways of thinking at key moments in ways that were often more precious than decades of formal teaching. Nicki Kindersley, Douglas Johnson and an anonymous reviewer were incredibly generous with their time in reviewing this book and giving feedback that allowed this final version. Without Nicki’s encouragement, I would have given up long ago. From the inception of my research, Cherry Leonardi has always been critically encouraging; many of us who work on South Sudan owe much to her mentorship. Lydia Tanner, Diana Felix Da Costa, Rachel Ibreck, Julia Duany, Alex de Waal, Tom Kirk, Anna MacDonald, Esther Marijnen, Ferenc ‘Feri’ Marko, Jok Madut Jok, Leben Moro, Sylvia Nannyonga-Tamusuza, Vicky Van Bockhaven, Tatiana Carayannis, Matt Benson, Liz Storer, Kara Blackmore and Eddie Thomas have not only been friends, but often also teachers. Plus, now, Pete Manning is fast becoming the person who keeps research (and life) exciting.
For the book itself, I am incredibly grateful to Jaqueline Mitchell (Commissioning Editor) and the editors of the ‘Religion in Transforming Africa’ series at James Currey. Joseph Hellweg gave me a useful nudge at a couple of crucial moments. Nicholas Jewitt also provided insightful edits at the essential, final hurdle. I am also thankful to Ben Rees, Sean McGovern, Anne Thompson, Joseph Finch and Peter Dunford for either helping with the footnotes or editing. The cartography of Jillian Luff of mapgrafix.com and the engaged cover artwork titled ‘Raan aci thong kek weng (A man is not equivalent to only one cow)’ by Letaru Dralega both make a significant contribution. The book also relied on financial support from the Centre for Public Authority and International Development (ESRC-funded grant ES/ P00803871) and funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) through the Safety of Strangers grant (AHRC reference number AH/T007524/1).
Writing books interrupts life. Friends and family have been patient and have kept me smiling. I am especially grateful for support over the years from Kathryn, Phil, Frankie, Meera, Tiggy, Christian, Ben, Michael and Pete, their amazing families, and my homegroup. I am also thankful to the people who supplied me coffee in The Chelsea Café.
My parents – David and Barbara Pendle – are my team and my rock, and have propped us up again and again. They have given me so much but, most preciously, a faith that encourages me to pay attention to the things unseen. In the end, it is all about Jonathan; he inspires me, spurs me on, is the biggest blessing and helps me make sense of everything else. This book is for him, as one way for him to understand part of his other homeland.