The history of the Catholic Church in Lopit land (Iboni and Lohutok), EES, South Sudan

The Catholic Church was brought to Lopit people by the missionaries fathers who at first settled in Gondokoro-Juba and shortly evacuated to Rejaf hill in the year 1919. It was actually tough with them to start there evangelization because the indigenous were confusing them with the salves traders but afterwards there were a distinction between them, when they managed to convinced Bari people and proceed to Eastern Equatoria centre-Torit. 

Among the missionaries most Rev Fr. Vinco was the first European who became aware of the Otuho, Lopit, Lokoya, Logir, Lango, Dongotono, Pari people by reaching their territory in 1852.

The missionaries found these people with the stories traces almost all the fact of Old Testament they know the story of the lying serpent, although each one tells it in his own way. There are hints at the original state of humankind, the story of giants and then Deluge, and some episodes of Moses. Even the story of the younger son stealing from the father the blessing intended for the elder son, was already existing in the ancient Omiaha Kingdom (Ayiru Vs. Ohuli). 

The most disgusting part to the missionaries is that when “ISARA the King of  Oudo Beleri told the missionaries that the black people are descendants of Kush. According to him and his people, Kush fell from heaven on a rainy day. He is actually the same King Isara whose great grandfather father Prince Aharany bitterly cursed Omiaha kingdom based at Hutelek Palace, present-day Ohilang - “Oturo adi olobie hatai Ani moi diya ihwa hino Imoi” - meaning their Kingdom will scatter like Rhino’s dung in future due to the abomination committed by King Mosingo against his princess daughters (Ihabang and Hidua). That incident eventually resulted into Hejuhiteng in Ibonni and Lioro in Ohutok, with Tabwor in western Lopit and Ihirang fragments as members, followed by Olongo transition from Maya Kingdom to Lioro in Lohutok.

After overcoming those of king Isarra, the missionaries gained ground in EES. Hence the folk song:

“Pari, Lotuko, iko Dongotono; Horiok, Lopit, Lokoya, iko Lango; otubani isi Eklesia…..”

Around 1920s, the missionaries settled Torit and the first Otuho members received baptism. The Lopit region was resistant to Christianity and Islamization following the defeat of  Jatia (Jihadist) at Imehejek in 1846-1868 by the allied territorial forces of Buturi-I, Ibatta-Morwo-I and Igali-I.  

Hence, St. Mary’s Parish and elementary school was opened in Lafon in 1948 with another semi-autonomous Parish to be in Lohutok under Fr. Dalpashia.. There was also a catholic chapel in Ibonni  and other Lopit villages during that time.

The AIM (AIC) under the USA; one of the oldest christian mission in Lopit land, outcompeted the Roman Catholic from Lohutok by converting the already baptized families to AIC. The catholic chapel in Ibonni gained promotion as the semi-autonomous catholic base in Lopit land in 1968. Lohutok and Hejuhiteng regions became the hot spot of competition over evangelization. The container dropped by the catholic mission remained under the tamarind tree in Lohutok PHCC which was the first health facility built in Lopit land in 1949 by AIM (AIC).

During the August 18, 1955, Torit revolution, and the expulsion of missionaries and with President Abuod coming into power through military coup, all the missionaries' activities including the English languages were banned from schools and Arabic imposed the medium of instructions. Ibonni was proposed at the administrative center between Loming and Lafon, but the ruling regime of Itingili (1956-1978) headed by Ohony-morok wing, with the advisory board of Sailin elders (1934-56) in Ibonni, rejected the proposal claiming that the town (Bore-Galla) will spoil their daughters and dressing code, and the traditional attires as they are the most known dancers in the region. They also feared daily punishment by the soldiers coupled with their nakedness.

Hence, Imehejek Elementary School and other structures were built from 1959 and became operational in 1961 to speed up the Arabization and Islamization policies in Lopit land. In 1968, all the head of catholic mission was relocated from Lohutok to Ibonni, leaving Lohutok with smaller chapel.

The Anya-I ensued which resulted into the 1972 Addis-Ababa Agreement, dishonored and later the birth of Anya-Nya-II (SPLA/M) on May 15, 1983. There was quite disruption of missionaries activities. Lafon fall under Arab regime and St. Mary’s Parish was hosted in Ibonni in 1991 head by Rev. Yoane Lofase; after Lafon was fully controlled by Arab regime and Imehejek remained the strong hold of SPLA/M hosting IDPs in Ibonni and Lohutok. 

The military garrisons of Longiro, Bule, Harihilo/Arilo, Imehejek, Ibele, Ibonni and Lohutok were fully liberated by the heroic Monyomiji of Lopit region. An attempt by the Arabs to capture Imehejek in 1992 after establishment of a rural council in 1991, was faced by fierce resistance under the control of Late Cdrs. Inyasio Aiti, Late Gen. Francis Atada, and the Gen. Robert Okimo with Gen. Pieng Deng Major as the Commander of the region. 

Therefore, Lohutok with an airstrip became the centre for Relief Aids and a logistic spot for SPLA/M from Hiyala up to the areas of Lopit North in Bule.

When AIM/AIC expanded or made a come back into Hejuhiteng areas of Ibahure, Ohilang, and they opened a mobile clinic and a primary school in Ohilang in the February 1991; it was met by a fierce action from the Catholic Diocese in Ibonni. They dismissed the first head teacher of Ohilang  primary school, and appointed a loyal catholic catechist from Ohilang chapel to head the school to strengthen their strong hold position in Hejuhiteng sub-region. 

Catholic dominated Hejuhiteng, Mura-lopit under St. Joseph Church, Lacharok, and part of western Lopit. While AIM/AIC stronghold remained at Olongo, Lohutok, Imehejek, Part of Mura, Habirongi, Logonowatti, Arilo, etc. In 2012, the head quarter of AIC in Hejuhiteng and an airstrip was opened in Ohilang with multiples chapels in Ibonni, Imuluha, Ihirang and mobile outreaches into others areas.

Therefore, St. John the Baptist Ibonni came a long way through resistance, resilience, hope and struggle from from 1948, and to promotion in 1968, and later the host of St. Mary’s parish in 1991, and finally on a historic day of December 7, 2014, was changed to St. John the Baptist Parish by Apostolic Administrator Thomas Oliha Atiya and St. Mary’s Parish was taken back to Lafon.

A massive call for the Christian community to join the Feast of St. John the Baptist Parish  is today August 29, 2026.

Congratulations St. John’s the Baptist and Catholic Diocese of Torit (cDOT).

For more, visit editorial board, Lopit elders, and the Christian community.

Dreams and Visions are always Secret.

thinking or decision finding/making, has been a longtime problem and a hiderance to success of many.. one has to know; there is personal thinking and group thinking or decission making. Here; we never have realise by ourselves which one do we ought to when face by a situation which needs deep think.. personal thinkig always happens to take place when one sits lonely and try to figure out what ways forward, or regreting for something that has happened. this one realy gives a deeper consultation betweens ones mind(brain). Meanwhile; group thinking is a collective decission to target a situation or get a solution to problems hindering the great society or group of people leaving together, regardless of relativeness, ethinicity, sex, religion, race or any other social indifference as long as goals are the same. precisely; thinking have been misshandled! people failed to follow which thinking he/she wanted. others tent to have plans or vission that would be more potential in his life to think about, For example, Thinking of; “buy or not to buy an underwear.” Now, does that requires group consultation or further exposure? one may also think to meet with his girlfriend, one may thinks of what to achive after graduating, does this all needs consultations? I have come to figured out, most people lost to meet their success because they expose too much and goes for many consultaion, sometimes other privacies does not need consultaion, always every personal dream and visions are said to be secret because, its one's/individual thinking and that does not need breaching it out or exposing anyhow, only thinks to be of a group are to be exposed and shared for further consultations from friends, because they every persons’ concern and benefits, but never your personal/individual thoughts or dreams.. the reason as to why many lost hope to their personal thought is because they went beyond the boundary of personal thinking. Remeber; not everyone in the community or your friend or even your relatives would like to here your dreams or visions. that’s the point some people end up giving discouragement about an idea base on their interpretation and understanding. you may find one can tell you more thousand disandvatages and obstacles to your idea, they can even give right reasons and support for their ideas, just because to ruin your dreams, and it’s never their mistake to downfall your plans, but it’s your personal misunderstanding to fail understood between personal and group visions. you may find those who may also encourage you and those who will not even give a comment on your idea, just because its never of their concern and its never of their benefit.thats why, you shouldn’t go beyond your own thinking. "let your thinking/dreams/vissions be your private issue like things you do under the roof with your wife" ofcourse they never happened to be exposed. this will therefore; build your innermost confidence to do and achive something. this will keep presure in you to ever work according to your personal goals.. "Let community dreams be for all community, and always keep yours to be yours" never goes beyond boundary of exposure! jealous are not those far from you, but are those eating with you in the same table. in conclusion, build privacy, confidence, hard work, dream, and vision. let your goals be testimonies that will inspire to aspire! My little observations! MAY GOD BLESS YOUR DREAMS!! by William Brown Inyasio Aburi

A Night at the river bank

Indeed; it has been my first time to be and to experience this night mare with a group of my friends and brothers at the river bank of Khor Rumla, Juba 18/Dec/2020.  This  happened due to a task entrusted to all Lohutok Youth in Juba by the elders (Monyiemiji) to soak hides for drums making. It was a great command and orders for every youth around or else, one may have to pay 10,000 SSP in his absence, this therefore gave a panic to some of us to at least be there in person.

However; it’s seemed to be like a picnic, where all every drinks were organized where big fire was set and people had to sit in a circle around the fire. This therefore recalled of a one time picnic we had in with my white friends in Lohutok.  But what makes difference from this is because there was no food but all  (soft and hard) drinks. 

However; it’s seemed to be like a picnic,  all kinds of drinks were organized where big fire was set and people had to sit in a circle around the fire. This therefore recalled me of a one time picnic we had in Lohutok with my white friends.  But what makes difference from this is because there was no food but all  (soft and hard) drinks. 

At 8:00pm Before every things were done; two delegates were sent by the monyiemiji (elders) so to confirm and witness the number and how we have deepened the hides in the river to wet up. We started our first brief meeting where everyone was called around the big fire at around 10:00pm. The delegates sent emphasized mostly on security Matters on how to peacefully stay through the night, check one another, taking turns in sleeping,  avoid fighting, avoid noise through all the dark night  and regular checkup of the hides in the water after every an hour, to avoid drowning and being eaten by the crocodiles. 

Rules and regulations were also collected in order for everyone to know in case if one is mistaken or violated the gathering principles. It was so amazing to witness encouragement speeches from different friends, others were young and others were old, But what United us was a common activity as youth of the same community and the call for the task.

11:30pm; There! Drinks were supplied according to choices and preferences, about three quarters of us based on hard (hot drinks) of different types and taste, while a quarter were for soda. Therefore! Drinking goes as noise increases, those who were for soda came close to another to interact and share stories, what a beautiful night to look at the fire and its sparks. The stories from one another becomes interesting despite the interruption from the other brothers who got a bit drunk, otherwise; it was harmonious because they accepted to play according to rules of the gathering (no violence).

Just more and more visits to the river and swimming at 2:14am; it became more and intensely cooler that it was, I shivered and my teeth gnashes. This reminded me of some pieces of blankets that I brought in my bag, I had to go next to the fire while my body cover in the blanket in order to get warm.. As around the fire, I could not bare the too much hums of discussions and mostly slangy talks. I had to pull my mat and moved fifty meters away with some sober brothers to sleep. 

As I felt sleepy; I asked my prayers for the night protection all through the remaining time. Meanwhile; the shouting increases that made the rule of no shouting broken, tongues after tongues near the fire, too much self challenges to wrestle one another. I could not even continue sleeping added with too much mosquitoes bites. Just thirty minutes later; One of the Elder brought a mosquito repellent which rescued us. I went into deep sleep till 5:00am. So a friend came and woke me up to brash and go for another swimming till 5:47am. Exactly at 6:00am we gathered together to finalize with a closing meeting of thanking one another for the effort well done. Finally; a preparation to carry out the hides from the water and to be relocated to a nearby big tree for the monyiemiji to come and continue with their work during day time. We immediately left and gone to our various residents, up to 4:00pm, the work was done and drums were made..  

Thanks to Lohutok Community-Juba

Will-Iam Brown

A day I spoke in anger

sometimes things could happen the way you didn’t expected to. Also sometimes you can be provoked with problems which aren’t of yours and whereby you could not even have recommendations, which perhaps sometimes give you a question of an anger instead of a polite answer...

It happened today, that; I never realized I spoke in anger with an elderly person, after he asked a very silly question and a story statement to me. I didn’t totally realized how I replied, whether cruelly 

Or politely,  but I felt the emotions my body was.. Next to me; were other compatriots and colleagues who bursted into laughters because of my response. I never had remembered a single harsh words that came from my mouth, but my friends did.. OMG! I became sorry and apologizing for it. But as it’s said sometimes, “always a silly question deserves a silly answer.” And I think my silly answer (response) was fit in a right place, if the questioneer won’t apologize for his talks too.

This was the worst day to my elder. 

The Morals of my this trues stories:

1. One must ask questions or tell stories which will never anger the audience (the respondents). Especially for the researchers, in this manner; you may not get the right answer to your questions or compliments to your narrated story. Otherwise; research students must be careful in asking questions.

2. Politeness: questioneers  must use this persuasive    words like (pleases, excuse, sorry) in the beginning of every question to at least help the respondents pay good attention as a result of your politeness.

3. Finally; always a bad mouth is replied with a a bad mouth while the good will receive the good mouth too. 

My Live during Field attachment at Juba Military Referral Hospital

Field attachment (internship) is one of the interesting lesson ever. Here; a lot of theories that were studied and covered in lectures are interpreted into real practical (action). This the session where I eventually have come to feel and know my profession. I got much exited to be in the field providing services to my people, I felt a bit joy and happiness.. 

In the Military Hospital; most of the doctors and other health workers are soldiers with high ranks In the army. Sometimes those who worked with me in the Public Health Department use to entice me and making me ever comfortable in the office.. sometimes they could assign me to represent other things in their absence, sometimes they could offer me their sittings in office, what so funny and amazing? Is when every of the staffs calls me comrade when they get me in the office.. sometimes, I fail to reply them because I ain’t a comrade in the army. OMG! 

Field is most an important place. I really feel the my service and presence, though if I was not paid for it. But I was ever optimistic that at the end of the training, I’ll be acknowledged and recommend..

Ther