A Long Walk to Water - Nya and Salva's Story

Questions and Answers

How old was Nya in the beginning of the book?

What was the official language of the Sudanese government?

Arabic language

What language did Salva speak at home?

Salva spoke the language of his Dinka tribe.

How old was Salva when war came to his village?

11 Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Salva attend school all year?

Because during the dry season his family moved away from their village. Signup and view all the answers

How far was the school from his home?

Only half an hour from his home. Signup and view all the answers

What did Salva's father do?

He was the village's judge. Signup and view all the answers

When did boys in Salva's village start to go to school?

Around 10 years old. Signup and view all the answers

What did Salva's mother give him to keep his belly full until suppertime?

A bowl of fresh milk. Signup and view all the answers

Who was fighting the war in Sudan?

Rebels from southern Sudan. Signup and view all the answers

Why were the rebels fighting against the government?

The people in the south were of different religions and did not want to be forced to practice Islam. Signup and view all the answers

During her trips to get water, what did Nya have to worry about?

Heat, time, thorns. Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the village Salva was from?

The village of Loun-Ariik. Signup and view all the answers

Salva's village was named after which of his family members?

Salva's Grandfather. Signup and view all the answers

What happened in the morning after Salva slept in the barn?

They left without him. Signup and view all the answers

What did Nya put on her head to help carry the container of water?

A cloth 'doughnut'. Signup and view all the answers

What did Salva call the old woman who lived in the house?

'Auntie'. Signup and view all the answers

What did the old woman give Salva to eat?

Two handfuls of raw peanuts. Signup and view all the answers

Why couldn't Salva go with the old woman when she left?

The soldiers will leave her alone. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Dinka pattern that was a sign of boys becoming men?

V-shaped scars on their foreheads. Signup and view all the answers

What did Nya's mother give her to eat after she got water?

A bowl of boiled sorghum meal with milk poured over the top. Signup and view all the answers

How old was Nya's younger sister Akeer?

5 years old. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Nya's mother want her to take Akeer with her to collect water?

She had to learn how to fetch water. Signup and view all the answers

How many trips did Nya make to the pond for water each day?

Two. Signup and view all the answers

What did the old woman give Salva when he left with the other Dinka?

A bag of peanuts and a gourd for drinking water. Signup and view all the answers

What did Buksa, a young man from the Jur-chol tribe, find?

A beehive. Signup and view all the answers

How far was the big lake from Nya's village?

3 days walk. Signup and view all the answers

How long did Nya's family live at the big lake?

5 months, during the dry season. Signup and view all the answers

Who did Salva meet while searching the camp for his family?

Marial. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Marial tell Salva they were going?

Ethiopia. Signup and view all the answers

In the Dinka language, what were the Atuot people called?

'The people of the lion.' Signup and view all the answers

What did Nya like about the lake camp?

She did not have to make the two long trips to the pond every day. Signup and view all the answers

What did Nya's mother hate about the lake camp?

They had no house and had to sleep in makeshift shelters. They could not bring their things, afraid of fighting with the Dinka. Signup and view all the answers

Which family member did Salva find first?

Uncle Jewiir, the younger brother of Salva's father. Signup and view all the answers

Why had Salva not seen his uncle for two years?

Uncle had been in the army. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nya's and Salva's Background

Nya started the story at 11 years old, illustrating the challenges of childhood in conflict zones.
The official language of the Sudanese government was Arabic, reflecting colonial influence and diversity in the region.

Salva's Early Life

Salva spoke Dinka, the language of his tribe, at home, highlighting his cultural identity.
He was 11 when war disrupted his village, indicating how young lives are affected by conflict.
School was not attended year-round due to his family’s seasonal relocation for water access.
School was located only a half-hour walk from Salva's home, emphasizing the accessibility of education pre-war.

Family and Community

Salva's father served as a judge in the village, indicating a position of respect and authority.
Boys typically began school at around 10 years old, showing early educational engagement in the community.

Daily Life and Struggles

Salva's mother gave him a bowl of fresh milk after school, symbolizing familial care.
The conflict involved rebels from southern Sudan fighting against a government based in the north, framing the historical backdrop of the war.
Rebels fought to maintain religious diversity, opposed to forced Islamic practices by the northern government.

Nya's Water Collection

Nya faced dangers like heat and thorns while collecting water, illustrating harsh living conditions.
Her village was named Loun-Ariik, linking her identity to a specific community.
The village's name commemorated Salva's grandfather, showcasing family legacy.

Displacement and Survival

Salva’s group left him behind, emphasizing the chaos of fleeing conflict.
Nya used a cloth "doughnut" to assist with carrying water, highlighting resourcefulness in daily tasks.
An old woman, referred to as "Auntie" by Salva, provided kindness and sustenance, showcasing community support amidst hardship.

Cultural Practices

Dinka men bore V-shaped scars on their foreheads, a rite of passage signifying maturity in their culture.
Nya’s mother fed her a bowl of boiled sorghum meal with milk, providing details of their diet.

Family Responsibilities

Nya's younger sister Akeer was 5, showing the family dynamic and the responsibilities placed on older siblings.
Nya had to learn to fetch water effectively, portraying the transition to adulthood in challenging circumstances.
She made two daily trips to the pond for water, stressing the routine demands of her life.

Survival and Generosity

Salva received a bag of peanuts and a gourd for water from the old woman upon leaving, illustrating acts of kindness in dire conditions.
Buksa discovered a beehive, highlighting the potential for food and resource acquisition in the environment.

Geographic and Temporal Context

The big lake was a three-day walk from Nya’s village, showing the extent of their geographical challenges.
Nya's family resided at the big lake for five months during the dry season, reflecting migration patterns due to water scarcity.

Relationships and Hope

Salva met Marial while searching for family, demonstrating the importance of companionship during hardship.
Marial indicated they were headed to Ethiopia, portraying a potential hope for safety and refuge.
In Dinka, the Atuot people were referred to as "the people of the lion," indicating cultural identities within South Sudan.

Reflections on Living Conditions

Nya appreciated the lake camp for reducing her water-fetching trips, yet her mother despised the makeshift living conditions and lack of belongings due to the threat of conflict.
Salva’s reunion with Uncle Jewiir, his father’s younger brother, signifies family ties amidst chaos and loss.

Military Impact

Salva's uncle had been in the army, indicating military involvement and the impact of conflict on familial relationships.

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Description

Explore the backgrounds of Nya and Salva from the novel 'A Long Walk to Water'. This quiz covers their childhood experiences in conflict zones, cultural identities, and the impact of war on their education and family life. Test your understanding of these two characters and the challenges they face.