Aliab Resistance Remembered in Mingkaman
Songs, drums and speeches filled Mingkaman as Aliab elders, youth and officials marked 106 years since their ancestors confronted British troops in 1919 (The Dawn Newspaper, 1 Nov 2025).
The annual gathering recalls the moment more than 3,000 warriors stormed the local police post, freed arrested clansmen and defied colonial authority.
Chief Kon Anok’s Leadership and Sacrifice
Speakers highlighted Chief Kon Anok, the Akeei leader who rallied fighters, faced arrest and was later killed for resisting forced labour, cattle seizures and summary executions ordered by colonial administrators.
State Officials Call for Historical Awareness
Lakes State Governor Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor urged residents to honour the uprising, calling it proof that local communities can unite to defend dignity and land.
He warned that forgetting Kon Anok’s stand would weaken cultural identity, while remembering it could inspire peaceful nation-building in today’s South Sudan.
Neighbouring Communities Express Solidarity
Bor Community Youth Association chair Elijah Manyok reminded attendees of shared history under the former Mongalla province, stressing that present boundaries should not erode unity forged in resistance.
Why the Anniversary Matters Today
Organisers believe commemorations educate young people about colonial abuses, reinforce respect for elders and demonstrate that sovereignty results from collective courage.
The story, passed orally for generations, now enters classrooms and social media, bridging oral heritage with modern platforms and ensuring the Aliab narrative endures.