A centuries-old Dinka cultural tradition has been struck by tragedy after a young man, Mayol Akeer, died during preparations for the annual fattening competition in Kuac Ayok, Gogrial West County, Warrap State.
The 25-year-old, remembered as vibrant and determined, reportedly passed away on Wednesday after consuming excessive amounts of milk – the central practice of the competition.
According to multiple community sources, the cause of death is suspected stomach complications brought on during the fattening season.
Held in cattle camps across the region, the fattening contest is one of the Dinka’s most symbolic traditions.
Unmarried men spend up to three months drinking milk in isolation, moving very little, and avoiding strenuous activity – all in pursuit of a heavier, more commanding physique.
At the culmination, participants are judged by their size, with the fattest young man crowned the winner, a title associated with prestige, wealth, and marital attractiveness.
Following custom, Akeer was posthumously declared the winner of the 2025 competition, his victory guaranteed by tradition.
Elders confirmed that the honor extends for two years, a symbolic gesture meant to preserve his legacy within the community.
“He will be remembered as a champion,” one elder told local mourners at Ayok cattle camp, where the burial was held.
The fattening tradition is more than spectacle – it embodies deep cultural values of the Dinka.
The contest reflects the status of cattle, wealth, and masculinity in society, while also serving as a platform for young men to demonstrate readiness for marriage.
The girth achieved through milk consumption is seen as evidence of cattle productivity and abundance, qualities that attract potential wives and elevate a family’s social standing.
But the death of Akeer has cast a somber shadow on this year’s celebration.
What should have been a moment of cultural pride turned into collective grief for the Kuac Ayok community.
Still, locals insist that the tragedy underscores the endurance of their customs, even as questions arise about the health risks of excessive milk drinking in modern times.
The fattening season traditionally coincides with the dry months, lasting until the herds move to the fertile riverine wetlands, known as the toich.
There, cattle thrive before the rains return – a cycle central to both the Dinka economy and identity.
For now, though, the community remembers Mayol Akeer not only as a competitor, but as a cultural symbol – a young man who gave his life in pursuit of an ancient tradition that continues to define one of Africa’s most resilient peoples.
