The Evolution Of The Traditional Governance System Of South Sudan Shilluk Kingdom And Its Influences

The Shilluk is the sixth largest ethnic group of South Sudan,and they largely live in the Upper Nile State.Unlike most of the ethnic groups in South Sudan living on a nomadic basis,the Shilluk people have been settling on both sides of the White Nile for generations and living on farming.Among more than 60 ethnic groups in South Sudan,the Shilluk people have its unique status.They established a centralized and strong bureaucratic kingdom a long time ago.However,at modem times,governance system of the Shilluk Kingdom has encountered serious challenges.The power of traditional authority including the king has inevitably declined under the impulsion of the colonialists and modernization.Despite all these,the overall"recession" is relative,the kingdom's central authority and the strength of local power has wax and wane.Under the profound influences of colonial rule and the modern state system,the top-down traditional governance system of the Shilluk continues.It has been kept with tenacious vitality and adaptability.There is still its king Reth today.One of the important reasons why independence fails to introduce peace and stability to South Sudan is ethnic conflict.As a country with only 12.5 million people,there are many ethnic groups and serious ethical problems,which prevents the building of a "nation-state"in South Sudan.And the adjustment and tendency of various ethnic groups plays an important role in it.This article focuses on and studies the traditional governance system of the Shilluk.Based on the analysis and description of its composition and operation,it attempts to explore the evolution,causes and impacts of the system.