In the heart of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, a powerful spiritual awakening is stirring. On June 23, 2025, in the Apuoth section of Mabil Village, Aweil East County, a young man named Mayen Akech Koot emerged as a new African Traditional Spiritual leader, proclaiming himself the spiritual successor to the legendary prophet Ariath Makueidit.
With divine rituals, rainmaking ceremonies, and messages of peace and unity, Akech has captivated thousands. His rise has sparked both reverence and curiosity, drawing elders, youth, women, and government officials to witness what many believe is a spiritual rebirth.
A Rainmaker Reborn
During a grand celebration on July 2, 2025, Akech moved through the crowd, drenched in divine fervor. With a bowl of water and spears in hand, he poured blessings over the people, invoking Nhialic (God) to bring harmony and rainfall to the drought-stricken region.
“We should love one another, stop hating ourselves, and abandon negative behaviors,” Akech declared, his voice trembling with spiritual intensity.
His emergence coincided with long-awaited rains, a sign many elders interpret as divine validation.
A Prophecy Fulfilled
Seventy-eight-year-old elder Ngor Kuech Malong, speaking during the celebration, expressed deep spiritual satisfaction:
“We have prayed for someone like Ariath Makueidit to return, someone to bless us, call the rains, and unite our people. Since Mayen Akech appeared, the rains have come, and our fields are green again.”
Kuech emphasized that Akech’s lineage from the Pariath clan, the same as Ariath Makueidit, and his departure from the church to embrace traditional spirituality are further proof of his divine calling.
“Others have emerged before, but none with the spirit and power of Mayen Akech,” he added.
Legends and Lineage
The legacy of Ariath Makueidit looms large. Stories passed down through generations tell of his miraculous survival, thrown into fire by colonial authorities, only for the flames to turn into water. His prophecies of famine and civil war cemented his status as a revered prophet.
Angok Ariathdit, son of the late prophet, acknowledged Akech’s spiritual claim but urged caution.
“He called for me to pour water on him, but I insisted he first visit the Holy Shrine of Pariath and the tomb of my father. We must follow tradition and listen to what the spirits instruct.”
Despite initial hesitation, Angok and other elders traveled to Mabil to witness Akech’s ceremony, signaling a potential reconciliation between old and new spiritual paths.
A Community Awaits
As anticipation builds for a gathering at the tomb of Ariath Makueidit, the people of Northern Bahr el Ghazal are watching closely. Will Mayen Akech fulfill the legacy of the great prophet? Can he unite a people through ancestral wisdom and divine power
For now, the rains have returned, the drums are beating, and the spirit of Ariath Makueidit walks again, this time, in the footsteps of a young man named Mayen Akech.
