The Nuer Concept of Covenant and Covenantal Way of Life

The Nuer have a strong covenantal tradition but without the"federal" political apparatus associated with two or more "levels"of "government" in a federal system of government. There areimportant features of Nuersociety pertaining to ideas of covenant,breach of covenant, and reestablishing the bonds of covenantalrelationships that have important implications for all covenantingsocieties. The way they think about themselves, their relationshipswith each other, and their relationships with the larger world,are essential elements in what constitutes their way of life.