Tonj, located in Warrap State, Bahr el Ghazal in South Sudan, is a historically rich and unique town. It is known by various names, including Kalkuel, Genanyuon, Jurkatac, Madiera, BaburWasaka, Genngeu, and Tonjdit. The town is bordered by Rumbek, Cueibet, Yambio, Bentiu, and Gokrial.
History and Economy
Tonj has played an important role in the history of South Sudan, particularly during the colonial period. During the Second World War, Tonj served as an essential economic strength for the British Empire in Africa. The British government built the first colonial school in Southern Sudan, called Princes School, in Tonj in 1944 as a gift to the Jur river chiefs who contributed smoked meat for ally forces during the war in North Africa. This school was headed by Eric Daniel, also known as Makerdit. Additionally, Tonj District was reported to have provided significant support to the British Empire through food logistics. Thousands of bulls and cows were collected from the area to be sent to the war front.
In 1912, Tonj and Gogrial were under the jurisdiction of the Jur River during the colonial period of British rule. The capital was in Gogrial, but prior to that, Tonj had a more favorable climate for human life than Gogrial. In 1922, the British government shifted the capital to Kalkuel, which became the capital of the Jur River. Tonj is one of the largest towns in Warrap and the oldest town in South Sudan, home to various tribes such as Dinka, Bongo, and JurChol. The town is divided into three counties - Tonj North, Tonj South, and Tonj East - and has undergone further subdivisions.
Tonj has produced many leaders during the colonial period and after the independence of Sudan and South Sudan, such as William Deng Nhial, Dr. John Garang De Mabior, and Omer Hassien Bashir, who have studied in some of the schools in the town. The town is also ranked as one of the oldest and most historical cities in South Sudan, with a rich and positive history during the South Sudan war of liberation.
An influential politician from Tonj District, Veteran William Deng Nhial, was among the first ideological South Sudanese intellectuals to have spearheaded and struggled for the right of South Sudan's freedom. In 1996, when the Arab-based government wanted to create a state for Gogrial and Tonj Communities, they called it Warrap State. Warrap town is another small urban center within Tonj Region, and the capital was to be located in Warrap.
Tonj Region has a rich history, including being a very large constituency out of which Gogrial emerged, and Abyei Region before 1905 was part of its administration. In the early and late 1990s, the SPLM/A movement fighting the Khartoum regime was in the Tonj Region, around the areas of Thiet, Yinhkuel, Ngabagook, and Mayom Abun. Tonj and Rumbek were used during the war as logistics centers in the fight against the Arabs.
Dinka (Muonyjang) communities across South Sudan are well-versed with Wanhalel Dinka Customary Laws (Ganuun Wanhalel); all those laws that are now used to govern Dinka Communities were first drafted and formulated in Wanhalel, Tonj South.
Economically Kalkuel is a very rich region. It has plenty of oil underground waiting to be exploited for the benefit of the general South Sudanese and most of the swampy areas fall within this region between them and Unity State. Toich areas extend from the Konggor area, Lou Ariik, Apuk Padoc, Lou Paher, Thony Amoun Marol, and Luanyjang swampy areas. They are very rich in resources and if well-used the region shall quickly get developed. Tuony also keeps a lot of cattle and is so proud of their animals.
Population
In 2010, it was estimated that the population of Tonj, South Sudan, was approximately 17,340.
Political Participation
When war broke out in 2013 Tonj sons and daughters did not aim guns against their fellow South Sudanese and in fact very strongly the people of Tonj just like most South Sudanese participated in bringing peace back to South Sudan and defended the constitution and the sovereignty. Tonj has some of the most influential politicians and military generals in South Sudan.