Death of a rainmaker: When drought means murder in South Sudan
Key Takeaways
- Rainmaker Solomon Oture was buried alive in his South Sudanese village of Lohobohobo after failing to bring rain during years of drought.
- The Monyomiji, a group of fighting-aged men enforcing customary law, were instrumental in the decision and execution of Oture's killing.
- Oture's death is part of a pattern, with at least five other rainmakers reportedly killed violently in the Lopit mountains over the past four decades.
- The climate crisis, causing severe drought and floods, is leading to increased desperation and the scapegoating of traditional figures like rainmakers.
- Villagers are fearful of speaking about the incident, as the Monyomiji allegedly threatened exile for anyone who defied their silence order.
Solomon Oture, a rainmaker in South Sudan, faced the wrath of his community in Lohobohobo after years of drought led to crop failure and desperation. When frustrated leaders demanded answers, Oture feared for his life and briefly fled, but was captured and brought back to the village square. The Monyomiji, the ruling generation of fighting-aged men responsible for enforcing customary laws, intervened and announced a decision had been made: Oture was led away and buried alive. His killing is not isolated; at least five other rainmakers have reportedly met violent ends in the Lopit mountains over the last four decades due to mounting desperation fueled by the climate crisis. Community members are reluctant to speak about the incident due to fear of reprisal, as the Monyomiji allegedly warned villagers against discussing the death, threatening exile for those who talk.
