In Akuak, South Sudan, Ayen Deng Duot stands in waist-deep water, wielding a machete to break up thick roots of papyrus plants. This labor-intensive effort is part of a traditional technique employed by the Akuak community, consisting of approximately 2,000 people, to build islands in the swampy region along the Nile River. The community has been adapting to increased flooding linked to climate change for generations; however, the situation has worsened, prompting locals to manually dredge materials to reinforce their homes. This year marks the sixth consecutive year of catastrophic flooding in South Sudan.
Duot emphasizes the necessity of their daily work to prevent water from encroaching upon their homes. "We have no choice; we need to protect our homes, because we have nowhere else to go," she affirms. The Akuak community is not only a clan of fishers within the Dinka ethnic group but also a resilient population committed to their ancestral lands. Within this waterlogged environment, neighbors rely on canoes to visit each other, and traditional grass-thatched huts, known as tukuls, dot the landscape.
South Sudan ranks among the nations most vulnerable to climate change. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, over 375,000 individuals have been displaced due to flooding this year alone. The Norwegian Foreign Policy Institute highlights that seasonal flooding in South Sudan has become more severe and unpredictable, permanently altering the landscape and affecting the livelihood of communities like the Akuak.
As the Akuak community has transitioned to a life solely dependent on fishing, they have given up cattle-rearing—once a staple of Dinka life—due to swelling water levels. Chief Makech Kuol Kuany recalls this shift, stating, "This life has forced all of us to become fishermen. We are poorer now than before!" He remains hopeful that water levels may eventually recede, recalling past flooding events that lasted almost a decade.
The physical labor of maintaining these human-made islands is grueling for community members. Anyeth Manyang, aged 45, illustrates the effort as he expands his island's shoreline, manually collecting mud from the swamp. "It's a very tiresome work," he explains. His small island, measuring around 50 square meters (538 square feet), represents the community’s constant struggle against water encroachment. With each layer of mud and vegetation meticulously placed, the ground takes shape, although challenges like uncompact soil persist.
Additionally, the community constructed a church on one of the larger islands, where meals are prepared for guests. Unfortunately, educational opportunities for children have suffered significantly; the first school in the region, opened in 2018, closed within two years due to flooding challenges. Philip Jok Thon, an 18-year-old resident, laments the loss of education and expresses a desire for the school to reopen, stating, "We want to learn about the world." Although moving to the town of Bor seems a daunting prospect, Duot believes it's better for her children to remain within the community rather than face the potential dangers of urban life.
In conclusion, the Akuak community's resilience amidst climate challenges showcases their commitment to their land and traditions. Their ongoing efforts in island construction aim not only to safeguard their homes but also preserve their cultural identity amid the encroaching waters. Each member of the community contributes to this relentless fight against nature while maintaining hope for the eventual receding of floodwaters.
