Our background & brief history of Shilluk's Kindom
Shilluk’s Pachodo Kingdom Association of Canada (SPKAC) is a non-profit organization that aims to support and promote the Shilluk people and their cultural heritage. The organization was founded by a group of individuals who share a passion for human rights, community development, and social justice.
The Shilluk people, also known as the Chollo, are an ethnic group that lives primarily in the Pachodo Kingdom, which is located in what is now known as South Sudan. The Shilluk people have a rich cultural heritage and a history that dates back centuries. However, they have faced a number of challenges and injustices over the years, including colonization, slavery, and ongoing conflict in the region.
SPKAC is committed to advocating for the rights and wellbeing of the Shilluk people, both in Canada, around the world and south sudan. The organization aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the Shilluk people and to mobilize resources and support to address these challenges. SPKAC works to promote education, health, and economic development initiatives in the Pachodo Kingdom and to support Shilluk communities both locally and internationally.
The members of SPKAC are committed to transparency, accountability, and integrity in all of their activities. The organization operates with a strong ethical framework and a commitment to best practices in non-profit management. SPKAC welcomes the involvement and support of individuals and organizations who share their mission and values.
The Shilluk people are a Nilotic ethnic group who inhabit the regions of Upper Nile state in South Sudan and Sudan. They are considered to be one of the largest ethnic groups in South Sudan, with a population estimated to be around one million people.
The Shilluk people have a long and rich history dating back to ancient times. According to their oral tradition, the Shilluk were originally part of the larger Dinka tribe, but they broke away and established their own kingdom, known as the Pachodo Kingdom, in the fifteenth century. The kingdom was named after its first king, Nyikang, who is considered to be a legendary figure in Shilluk history.
Under the Pachodo Kingdom, the Shilluk people developed a complex system of governance that was based on a divine monarchy. The king was considered to be a mediator between the people and the spirit world, and he had the power to make important decisions on behalf of the kingdom. The Shilluk people also developed a sophisticated culture and artistic traditions, including music, dance, and weaving.
Over the centuries, the Shilluk people faced a number of challenges, including conflicts with neighboring tribes and colonial powers. During the 19th century, the Shilluk kingdom was attacked and occupied by the Mahdist forces of Sudan, and many Shilluk people were enslaved or killed. The kingdom was later incorporated into the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, and the Shilluk people suffered under colonial rule.
In the mid-twentieth century, the Shilluk people played an important role in the struggle for Sudanese independence. Following the country’s independence in 1956, the Shilluk people continued to face marginalization and discrimination by the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum. This led to the outbreak of civil war in Sudan in 1983, which lasted for more than two decades and claimed the lives of millions of people, including many Shilluk.
After South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, the Shilluk people hoped to have greater autonomy and representation in the new government. However, conflicts with other ethnic groups, particularly the Dinka and Nuer, have continued to plague the region, leading to widespread violence and displacement of the Shilluk people.
Despite these challenges, the Shilluk people have maintained their distinct culture and traditions, and they continue to work towards greater recognition and representation in the new government of South Sudan.