Want to know why the Mundari Tribe showers with cow urine? The Mundari tribe washes their heads with cow urine because it contains ammonia, which is a bleaching agent. This ammonia dyes their hair orange, a color that represents purity in their culture.
It is also believed to prevent infections. This practice is mostly done by young men who take care of the cows, but grown-ups also take part in it. It is seen as a normal and healthy activity.
The Mundari lifestyle is full of music, dance, and drama. Elders tell poems to the young as a way of passing their culture to the next generation. Cattle are highly valued in their society and are used as dowry.
Every man has his favorite cow, which is his most prized possession and a reflection of himself. Cattle are also a measure of wealth, which is why they are highly protected, often with guns.
Some examples of these cattle include the cattle kings, also known as the Ankole Watusi. Their horns can stretch up to 8 feet. The biggest bulls are decorated with tassels. The Mundari drink milk directly from the cow’s udder, and the rest of the milk is used to make butter.
The tribesmen lead the grazing process. Before grazing, they perform a ritual. This involves drinking milk straight from one of the cow’s udders. Then, they make an alarm by banging a drum to alert the rest of the tribe that it is time to take the cattle for grazing.
They also make use of cow dung. After burning it to ashes, they smear it on their bodies. This helps to repel mosquitoes and protect their skin from the scorching South Sudan heat.
Cattle are very important in their community. To get a leadership position or gain respect, a person must own many cows. Because of this, cattle raiders steal more than 350,000 cows every year, and over 2,000 people are killed in these attacks.
The V-shaped scars on their foreheads may look scary to foreigners, but for the Mundari, it is part of their culture. These markings help them identify each other. However, the government is discouraging this practice because of the way it is done in most villages.
The Mundari people live in the north of Juba City and follow a communal lifestyle. They share everything they have with fellow tribe members.
They are also known for being some of the tallest people in the world.
