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Titleeng Deng Chan

2020 (Narrative date)

There are an estimated 465,000 people living in modern slavery in Sudan (GSI 2018). Between 1983 and 2005, the central government of Sudan enslaved tens of thousands of black South Sudanese Christian and traditionalist people. It was part of a genocidal war against South Sudan, with a simple aim: to force South Sudan to become Arab and Muslim. 

Titleeng Deng Chan was captured in 2000 and forced to walk to North Sudan, raped by four men on the way and given to her ‘master’ upon arrival. She was finally liberated in 2016 after meeting with a slave retriever.

I was with my mother in my village Leuth Lual and one day my mother sent me to the pond to collect water. On my way to the pond I met with Arabs. They were on horses. They stopped me and grabbed me with my arm. I refused to move. Three Arab men got down off their horses and pushed me to move. I walked with them on foot until we arrived to another village. We met with other Arabs.

There were many Dinka people who were captured and we were put in one place and guarded by Arabs. We were forced to walk to North Sudan. I was raped by 4 Arabs men on the way to North Sudan. We walked in one line and if you walk slowly you will be beaten.

We ate left overs from Arabs and we walked 6 days before we arrived to North Sudan. I was given to Mohammed, Arab master. He has one wife, Amiena with 6 children. I used to wash clothes, cleaned the house, and collected water.

Arab children were not allowed to sit with me. I was called bad names everyday (Jiengi), Nal Abuk (Damn your father), Nal Dienke (Damn your religion), Kucumak (your mother vagina).

One day I did try to escape because of this bad treatment, but I was caught by Arab Master. He beat me and brought me back to his house. There are many Dinka slaves in the area. I met with the slave retriever in the market. He asked me if I am a Dinka and want to go back to South Sudan. He said that he will give Arab master something if he come after me. I did not know what he gave Arab Master. He took me to his camp. He put us in a truck and drove us to the border between South Sudan and Sudan, then we walked on foot to South Sudan. Arab retriever gave food to eat on the way to South Sudan. I did not find my family in South Sudan, but I am happy to be back to South Sudan.

 

Narrative provided by Christian Solidarity International