The Dinka means “people’ in their own
language and there are about 5 million of them in South Sudan. They have
many salient characteristics – a deep sense of community, a obsession
with their cattle and an average height 3 inches higher than the average
for the human race. The men couple this height with great muscularity
and physical strength. Each Dinka faction – and there are many- will
fight and kill to protect their community and their cattle from
outsiders – and they do this with guns not primitive weaponry. In this vast cattle camp near Yirol, I stayed
late one afternoon to watch the behaviour of the adult herdsmen and this
particular man showed all the aforementioned characteristics – he was
at least 6 foot 5 inches of muscle, he carried a gun and he watched
attentively over his community below. The picture tells an accurate
story of daily life, not a contrived one. I understand why depiction of guns anywhere in an image can hint at
news reportage or photojournalism rather than art, but on this occasion,
I believe the gun offers quiet dignity and completes the photograph. It
is because of that gun that there is serenity below, not in spite of
it. Life in a cattle camp in a war torn country is made safer by the gun
, not more dangerous. I believe that this image conveys the deep pride of the Dinka. The
proud nightwatchman has pride in his role and his responsibilities – and
this lends an almost inconceivable romanticism to the work.

We got on well because he liked the pictures I had of British cows –
which he found hilarious.. As always, its all about homework.