South Sudan 193,000 | ||
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The Luwo (also called Jur Chol and Luo Jur) are an ethnic group in western parts of South Sudan. They are part of a larger group of ethno-linguistically related Luo peoples of East Africa. They speak the Jur language which is a Northern Luo language.
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They are distinct from but related to the Dholuo speaking Joluo of Kenya and Tanzania. The date of divergence is estimated to have been about eight centuries ago.
Name
The Luwo are known to outsiders as Jur Chol which is an exonym taken from the Dinka language (compare Jur Beli). Some Luwo politicians object to the name.
Culture
The Luwo reside in the Jur River and Wau counties of Western Bahr el Ghazal State and in Aweil Center County of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. The Luwo are also sedentary, meaning they have a centralized living area. They grow sorghum, cassava, sweet potatoes, and beans. They can fishing, hunting, and beekeeping, making them a well rounded society.
Population
The Luwo are one of the smaller tribes of South Sudan with population about 171,000 - by some accounts the Luwo are the 8th largest ethnic group in South Sudan. They may be found in Aweil, Wau and Tonj states or in Tonj and Western Bahr el Ghazal and Northern Bahr el Ghazal states by the pre-2015 organisation.
A census conducted in 1983 put their population at 80,000.