Seed of South Sudan: Memoir of a "Lost Boy" Refugee

by Majok Marier, Estelle Ford-Williamson

One of the most detailed books on the Lost Boys of Sudan since South Sudan became the world's newest nation in 2011, this is a memoir of Majok Marier, an Agar Dinka who was 7 when war came to his village in southern Sudan. During a 21-year civil war, 2 million lives were lost and 80 percent of the South Sudanese people were displaced. Tens of thousands of boys like Majok fled from the Sudanese Army that wanted to kill them. Surviving on grasses, grains, and help from villagers along the way, Majok walked nearly a thousand miles to a refugee camp in Ethiopia. Majok and 3,800 like him emigrated to the United States in 2001 while the civil war still raged. His story is joined to others' in this book.

Genres: South Sudan

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Susan Heim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have vague memories of hearing about the Lost Boys of Sudan as a young adult but this memoir authored by Lost Boy Majok Marier with Estelle Ford-Williamson really brings the time to life. With English as his second language, Majok tells the story very simply and matter of fact, the events are so dramatic already that there isn't any need to embellish the tale. His story alternates with Estelle filling in the history and politics and geography for the reader. Despite it being a very sad time in history, Majok is very hopeful for the future of his country and that optimism makes you want to help in some way. Wells for Hope is the vehicle to support Majok's efforts to bring water to the villages in South Sudan.

[Alora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book taught me so much about the Second Sudanese Civil War, more than my husband knew, which is rare. I liked learning about cattle culture. I was blown away that a Lost Boy refugee works at Home Depot. I have never thought before of how I could meet a refugee in my day-to-day life. I appreciated Ann Mahoney’s views on refugees and immigrants in the U.S. I hope that by this time, Majok has met his daughter.