The kingdom of Shilluk is located on the west bank of the Nile. Its inhabitants speak the Eastern Sudanic Language of the Chari-Nile branch of the Nilo-Saharan family. They are part of the Nilot Culture. Nilotes are any member of east-central Africa living in sothern Sudan, northern Uganda, and western Kenya. The name refers to the area as they live on the Nile. Of the Nilotic people the Shilluk are the most organized. They have a divine king which symbolizes the whole realm. Similar rulerships can be found amongst some other Nilotic tribes although some have no rulers. The Shilluk created life sized representations of their first king, Nyikang. They also made clay pipe bowls, hyena figurines, and masks.
The Shilluk are agriculturalists and herdsmen. They raise cattle, sheep, and goats. The men hunt, herd the animals, and milk the livestock. Both sexes take part in the agricultural work. A community is commonly made of several hamlets with an elected headman. A council of the hamlets made up of the dominant lineage in the area elects the headman. Historically they were unified under one King or Reth chosen from the sons of previous kings. The king’s physical and ritual well being was believed to foretel good or bad fortune for the kingdom. When the king was well the kingdom prospered. When he fell ill or felt anger or depression the kingdom would experience a similar fate. The social status was divided into commoners, royal retainers, and slaves. The royal clan was also traced back from their first king and hero Nyikang.
Nilot http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9055858 (May 11, 2000)
Shilluk http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9067374 (May 11, 2000)
African Art http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-57144 (May 11, 2000)
Chris Goettl