Unlocking the World of Storybooks in Thok Nath - A Triumph for Nuer Language Education

Dorcas Wepukhulu

Many African languages lack standardized orthographies, resulting in a dearth of suitable storybooks for young African readers. Thok Nath (Nuer) was no exception. However, that is no longer the case!

From 2021 to 2023, Dr. Oliver Bond and Prof. Matthew Baerman, researchers at the University of Surrey, along with Dr. Tatiana Reid at the University of Edinburgh, and Saide’s African Storybook (ASb) team, joined forces for the Nuer Literacy Initiative project. Their mission: to address the disparities in access to mother-tongue education in the Nuer language, Thok Nath. You can learn more about this ground-breaking project here: https://www.smg.surrey.ac.uk/projects/nuer-literacy-initiative/

Saide’s ASb team organised online workshops on story translation and creation, bringing together 29 Nuer-speaking participants at hubs in South Sudan and Ethiopia, and individuals in Kenya, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Italy, and Canada.

School children and teachers with Thok Nath (Nuer) anthologies in Juba, South Sudan

Despite the inherent complexities of facilitating the story development and translation processes, meticulous planning and preparation by the academics in the team, ensured the success of the workshops. Participants supported each other throughout, igniting passionate debates about language. Following the translation and creation workshops, multiple rounds of proofreading and copy editing were undertaken.

Finally, in June 2023, the teams reached a point where they were satisfied with their original and translated stories. It was time to share their creations with the world by uploading them to the ASb website and preparing 14 of the original stories for printing and distribution.

This monumental effort yielded:

  • Forty-five high-quality Thok Nath (Nuer) storybooks, translated from existing ASb stories, made available on the ASb website.
  • Fourteen original Thok Nath (Nuer) stories, complete with delightful illustrations, published on the ASb website. These stories are thoughtfully put in collections to cater to readers at various levels. The English translations of these stories are accessible on the ASb website.
  • Three print-ready sets of storybook anthologies, comprising the original Thok Nath (Nuer) storybooks.

Below are the English titles of the 14 original Thok Nath (Nuer) stories, now printed as anthologies as seen in the photograph below:

  1. A Giant Like No Other
  2. Five Foolish Men
  3. Cow and Goat
  4. Fox, God, and Vulture
  5. How Frog Married Turtle’s Daughter
  6. The Better Life is Ahead
  7. Monkey, Lion, and Fox
  8. Fox and His Axe
  9. Lungfish in the Mud
  10. Our Uncle Will Take Us to the City by Boat
  11. Talking Skull
  12. Who is the Wisest Fish?
  13. Two Men in Court
  14. Wedding Between Mango Tree and Heavenly Cloud

A total of 19,500 storybooks were printed in Juba, South Sudan, and are being distributed in Sunday schools, which serves as centers for mother tongue education and as hubs for book distribution. The Gumbo Presbyterian Church of South Sudan, in particular, has championed reading in the Thok Nath language, sparking immense excitement among children in its community. Additionally, 250 storybooks were distributed worldwide to various Nuer community groups, scholars, and libraries. Plans are underway to print more copies for communities in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya.

Thok Nath (Nuer) anthologies delivered at a site in South Sudan

Here are the names of the dedicated team members who brought these Thok Nath (Nuer) storybooks to life:

Nyayow Deng Chuol, Stephen Tut Puol, Both Odol, Bol Buony Nyuot, Wäl Nyak Döl, Wiek Bol Reath, Khor Biel Rom, Nyapak Yien Muon, Andrew Duop Pal Lortur, Nhial Gatkuoth Dol, Makak John Gile, Matai Manuoi Muon, Buay Tut Bidit, Rebecca Nyawany Makuach, Chuol Dow Wich, Jimma Kir Guicwang, Lim Majok Kon Ghay, Maluil Dak Nyuot Gien, Yien Wil Mayuak, Dak Wal Phan, Ghai Wichdhuor Kerjiok Jang, Deng Nhial Chioh, Nhial Nyuot Nhial, Both Khor Nyuon, Koang Gach Keat, Desmond Tut Jockmundit, Chuol Chapen, Peter Phar, and Stephen Lam Tutjiok.

This momentous achievement represents a significant step forward in preserving and promoting the rich Thok Nath (Nuer) language and culture, providing a valuable resource for Nuer-speaking children and communities both at home and in the diaspora.