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Home Culture

Tall African Tribe – Are The Dinka People The Tallest In The World? 10 Facts

by Baib Ngwan
October 12, 2022
in Culture
Tall African Tribe

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Genetics remains at the forefront of the reason why people have a certain height. The genetics of the Dinka people of South Sudan have placed them in a position where the world would see them as a tall African tribe – or perhaps the tallest in the world.

Dinka is the largest ethnic group in South Sudan and although its people are mostly found in the country, they are also found across other parts of the world as settlers. The height of the average Dinka man is reportedly 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 11 inches. Other well-known tall people of the tribe are up to 7 feet 7 inches tall and more.

Who are The Dinka People?

Tall African Tribe
Dinka people with tribal marks

Dinka people are also known as Jieng and are native to South Sudan. They speak the Dinka Language which falls under the Nilotic language within the Eastern Sudanic beach of the Nilo-Saharan languages.

These people are said to be about 4.5 million according to the 2008 census and consist of 18% of the total population of South Sudan. This makes them the largest ethnic group in the country.

However, it was not until the world noticed the height of the Dinka people, there was not much attention to them. Soon after, other things were noticed about the people’s unique color tone, traditions, and cultures that include three tribal lines (scars) on the forehead as a transition to manhood.

10 Interesting Facts About Dinka People

1. There are Suggestions that The Dinka People May not be the Tallest People in the World

While there is a popular belief that the Dinka people are the tallest people in the world, other studies suggest that the Tutsi (Watussi) of Rwanda and Burundi are the tallest. Tutsis are believed to have a male average height of 6 feet while Dinka average males stand at a height of 5 feet 9 inches.

2. They are Part of the Darkest People in the World

Dinka
Nyakem Gatwech

South Sudan people are known for their dark skin and Dinka is part of the people. The people are often referred to as the darkest people in the world and at a point, they faced marginalization and discrimination due to their skin color.

In relation to their dark skin, the people have produced several notable dark-skinned people, including Nyakim Gatwech who is considered the darkest model in the world.

3. Many of the Tall African Tribe Ended up as Refugees in Other Countries

South Sudan has suffered a civil war in its history and its people ended up as refugees in different parts of the world. In 1991 in what is known as the Dinka massacre, about 2,000 civilians were killed and an estimated 300,000 people were displaced.

The experience of the people at that time cannot be overemphasized and their story (South Sudan) has been told through different pages and lenses. In a documentary film, Lost Boys of Sudan by Megan Mylan and Jon Shenk, the story of a Dinka Refugee was told among many other stories.

The war ended many Dinka people seeking refuge in other countries on different continents.

4. The Tall African Tribe Has Produced One of The Tallest Basketball Players Ever

Tall African Tribe
Manute Bol and Muggsy Bogues

The tall African tribe has produced people in sports and in basketball. Among the notable people is Manute Bol, a former NBA player who was listed as one of the tallest in the history of the NBA with a height listed at 7 ft 7 (2.31m).

Manute’s son Bol Bol is also a basketball player with a height of 7’2.

5. The Tall Africans are Majorly Cattle Keepers

Right in time, the Dinka people’s occupation was farming and placed their attention more on the rearing of cattle. Cattle are such an important aspect of their culture. For instance, before a man marries a woman, he is expected to settle her dowry with cattle.

6. Why Dinka People are Tall

According to scientific studies, the height of people is a result of genetics. Hence, genetics must be playing an important role in the height of people.

Another reason why people come out as tall or short is nutrition. A report claims that since the Dinka people rare cattle, it is not uncommon that they consume the produce of the cattle. This product includes milk and meat which may be a contributing factor to their height.

See Also: Naked Tribe – You Will Not Believe That These 5 Tribes Are Still Walking Naked

7. No One Knows Where The Word “Dinka” Originates From

Although the tribe is popular as Dinka, reports claim that it remains unknown where the word Dinka comes from, especially because the people refer to themselves as Jieng.

8. Their Country is the World’s Youngest

South Sudan which is home to the Dinka people gained independence from Sudan in 2011, thereby making it the world’s youngest country. Before its independence and coming out of the Republic of Sudan, its official language was Arabic. However, following independence, it adopted English as its lingua franca.

9. Dinka Tribe is More Than 5000 Years Old

The tribe dates as far back as 3000 BC when over 3 groups of herders and fishermen settled in South Sudan in a place that is regarded as the largest swamp in the world. One among three settlers is what is known in the present time as Dinka.

10. The Tall African Tribe Has Many Notable People

The Dinka tribe has produced many notable people across the globe. Some of these people include:

  • Francis Bok (author)
  • Hussein Abdelbagi (Vice President of South Sudan)
  • Adut Bilgak (First WNBA player from South Sudan)
  • Majak Mawith (football player)
  • Francis Deng (author, SAIS research professor)
  • Thon Maker (NBA player)
  • Alek Wek (model)
  • Adut Akech (model)
  • Majak Daw (Australian Rules footballer)
Baib Ngwan

Baib Ngwan

I’m the weird girl who uses her eyes and hands to pass messages. Well, maybe that is why it is easy to fix words and create content. This makes me the writer that I am and the editor that sees the mistakes and recreates for perfection.

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