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

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.