Jon D. Holtzman's Nuer Conflicts

In Nuer journeys, Nuer lives : Sudanese refugees in Minnesota by Jon D. Holtzman, it is about the Nuer, people who are a Nilotic ethnic group and originated near the Nile river. The book explains the migration of the Nuer to the United States through the case study- Nuer of Sudan. This is one of the most popular case studies in anthropology that shows the Nuer’s traditional life. The book binds together the Nuer with new developments coming from the immigration of many other Nuer that came to the U.S. in the 1990s as refugees, usually from civil war in southern Sudan. Sudan has many war conflicts and always constantly in war because of religion, political, and social differences. The Nuer are always in conflicts which lead to the loss of

Nuer and American wedding’s result in the two extended families coming together and unite as one (Holtzman: 2008, 73). Nuer families are involved in the involvement of payment of bridewealth cattle, usually getting between 25 to 40 animals, from the family of the groom to the family of the bride (Holtzman: 2008, 73). The purpose of the bridewealth cattle was to connect her father from her groom’s father and to make children from the marriage. In America, traditionally, the bride and the groom often get gifts from all family members, but they would not get animals. They usually receive currency or household materials. Nuer weddings are not arranged like traditional Nuer marriages. Many of the times, the couple are usually friends or lovers before marriage (Holtzman: 2008, 74) which is similar to American culture. Nuer marriages result in an age gap. Nuer “girls” are usually between 15-17 years old, while the males are in their mid-twenties (Holtzman: 2008, 77). Nuer woman are not considered woman until they have children. This is similar and different than in America. Age gaps are starting become normal; however, American woman are considered women, or adults, at the age of

Nuer men believe that women will not respect them if they do not get hit often and would lead to poor behavior (Holtzman: 2008, 89). Nuer men think it is their right to hit their wife if necessary. For example, failure to serve guests on time or not being able to perform the house tasks in a certain time frame (Holtzman: 2008, 90). Women participate in the violence by provoking the act. They often question the man’s ability and strength if they do not hit them, degrade them, and sometimes the women would also be violent (Holtzman: 2008, 90). Women usually do not wish to be beaten, but will strike against their husband. In America, domestic violence is an illegal act. Nuer women are should “dial 911” if they are experiencing any violence against their husband. Nuer men do not agree with the ability to call the police on them. They believe it is against their culture and should not use this as protection (Holtzman: 2008, 90-91). Nuer men feel that law enforcement are biased against women and domestic violence (Holtzman:2008, 91). In the Nuer culture, if violence arises then the women will often return home and Nuer men are supposed to go after her and guarantee a stop in the behavior (Holtzman: 2008, 92). If a women leaves the husband in Nuer culture, a man could have his bridewealth returned (Holtzman: 2008, 93-95). Many violent situations may lead to a divorce and would lead to the male having