Summary Of Nuer Journeys, By Jon D. Holtzman

Within the book Nuer Journeys, Nuer Lives: Sudanese Refugees in Minnesota written by Jon D. Holtzman, he follows a group of people called the Nuer. Within the book Nuer Journeys, Nuer Lives written by Jon D. Holtzman, he follows a group of people called the Nuer. Holtzman describes the Nuer in more detail as being agro-pastoralists and relying on a mixed economy of animal farming and cultivation in order to survive. They have been classified as members of both the Nilotic cultural and linguistic group. Nilotic significance to those who reside adjacent to the Nile River or to the Nile region of Africa. This cluster also contains the Luo and Turkana of Kenya, the Karimijong of Uganda, and the Dinka who the Nuer believe they diverged from (Holtzman …show more content…
He recently completed his doctoral fieldwork in Kenya on the Samburu who are also pastoralists and survive on cattle herding. The Samburu share similarities to the Nuer with their language, culture, resources, education, and environment (Holtzman 2008: 10). Holtzman was intrigued with the notion of the Nuer immigrating to the United States as he could not fathom the idea of the Samburu leaving their country with the contrast of rural life in East Africa to that of life in the United States. His friends among the Samburu would be unprepared and possibly experience culture shock from the differences between lifestyles. With these thoughts, Holtzman sought contact with the Nuer community with expectations of learning more about them and to try and help them with their transition (Holtzman 2008: 10). Within months from finding out the Nuer now occupy within the Twin Cities of Minneapolis, Minnesota he became involved in their community. His task of support to the community would include an organized drive at a local church for household goods, meeting with families to discuss particular problems they were experiencing, and driving men to potential employers (Holtzman 2008: 10). With his contribution to the Nuer community, he would develop a mentoring and friendship program between the Nuer and American youth which was funded through the Minneapolis Public Schools, and would become one of the American members of the Board of Trustees of the mutual assistance organization which the Nuer founded in Minnesota (Holtzman 2008: 10). It is with his actions that he was able to learn informally about their lives, culture, and experiences. His study employed a variety of anthropological research methodologies and over time was broadened in scope and funding (Holtzman 2008: 11). Surveys were administered to the community