first woman and lunar goddess of Dinka mythology
Abuk
In Dinka mythology of South Sudan, Abuk is the first woman and mother. She is often shown as a snake and linked to the moon, sheep and gardens. She is the only prominent goddess in Dinka tradition.
The myth
According to Dinka tradition, the Creator, Nhialac, shaped Abuk and Garang, the first man, from rich clay. When they emerged from a large pot, Abuk was much smaller than expected, so she was left to soak in water until she reached the right size.
Nhialac gave them a single grain each day. Abuk decided to eat it on alternate days and plant the other, and Deng, the rain god, joined her so the harvests would flourish. They had two sons and a daughter, Ai-Yak.
In another version, the surplus grain led Abuk to forge a hoe so large that it struck the Creator with its handle. Nhialac withdrew from the Earth, sent the bird atoc to cut the cord linking sky and earth, and left humanity exposed to illness and death.
Worship and religion
The Dinka venerate her as the first woman and first mother, and hold festivals in her honour.