Mundari Tribe, South Sudan
Ash-covered bodies, majestic Ankole-Watusi long-horned cattle, and the sacred cattle camps of the Mundari tribe in South Sudan. Discover their ancestral practices for treating skin ailments and stimulating cow lactation.
Full story after the images.
Ash and Horn: Life Among the Mundari Tribe of South Sudan
In the heart of South Sudan, along the banks of the White Nile, the Mundari people live in profound symbiosis with their cattle — a bond so intimate and sacred that it defines not only their economy, but their identity, rituals, and daily rhythms. Among them, the Ankole-Watusi long-horned cows are more than livestock; they are revered companions, symbols of wealth, beauty, and spiritual connection. Towering horns curve like sculptures against the horizon, casting shadows over the sacred cattle camps where life unfolds in a haze of smoke, ash, and ritual.
Each morning, the Mundari cover their bodies in fine white ash, collected from smoldering cow dung fires. This ash serves multiple purposes: it protects their skin from the sun and insects, acts as a natural antiseptic, and marks a visual identity that is both practical and poetic. The camps are veiled in a constant mist of smoke, not only to repel mosquitoes but to sanctify the space where humans and animals coexist in harmony.
In these camps, tradition is not a relic of the past — it is a living, breathing force. Children grow up learning the sacred language of cattle care, and also the physical discipline of their warrior heritage. Wrestling matches among boys are a common sight, not merely for play but as a rite of passage—training the body and spirit for resilience and defense. The Mundari are a warrior tribe, and their strength is cultivated from an early age.
One of the most astonishing practices involves the use of cow urine, which is believed to have medicinal properties. Mundari men and women wash their faces and bodies with fresh urine to treat eye infections and skin conditions, a practice rooted in generations of empirical knowledge. The yellow hue it leaves on their hair is worn with pride, a badge of resilience and connection to the herd.
Even more remarkable is the way young boys interact with the cows to stimulate lactation. In a gesture that may seem startling to outsiders but is deeply embedded in Mundari tradition, children gently rub their faces against the genitalia of female cows. This act, far from being taboo, is a learned technique to encourage milk flow—an essential resource in a land where every drop of nourishment counts.
The Mundari also extract blood from their cows, a practice carried out with precision and care. A small incision is made in the animal’s neck vein, allowing blood to be drawn without causing lasting harm. The cow is never killed — its life is sacred, and the symbiotic relationship between human and animal is the core pillar of Mundari culture. The blood is then cooked and consumed, providing vital nutrients that are not found in milk or vegetables, especially iron and protein, which are essential in their limited-resource environment.
In 2020, Joel Santos immersed himself in the world of the Mundari. With sensitivity and respect, he captured their lives not only through powerful still photography but also through evocative video footage. His work culminated in a broadcasted television documentary that brought audiences into the heart of this extraordinary culture — one where ash, horn, smoke, and ritual converge in a timeless dance of survival and grace.
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