Intro
The Azande for plural or Zande for singular in Pa-Zande (Zande language), are a Bantu ethnic group of the Central African Triangle Countries primary lives in, (The Republic of South Sudan “Equatoria”, The Democratic Republic of the Congo and The Central African Republic).
Name:
The word Azande mean, “The people who possess much vast land”, and refers to themselves as “conquering warriors”. Various spelling names include: Azande, Zande, Bazande, Asande and/or Adio, most Central Equatorians of South Sudan call them Ajande, Jande, people of the Central African triangle countries who speaks a language of the Adamawa-Ubangi branch of the Bantu family . Extended across Western Equatoria State in The Republic of South Sudan, the (Orientale Province) Uele River in The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Ubangi River in The Central African Republic.
Language & Literatures:
The Azande speak “The Zande language”, known as Pa-Zande. The modern Azande speaks, English, French, Arabic, Lingala, Bangala, Sango, Swahili and Juba Arabic (Arabi Juba). Azande literature are mostly oral which had/is been passed on from generation to generations till present day. Some of the Azande literatures was first published by the missionaries in the early 18th century and later translated in the 1960’s .
Population:
According to the ENCYCLOpidia.com, the Azande estimated population at the end of the 20th century were more than 3.8 million people worldwide including, in Canada, U.S.A, Australia, U.K and The European Union. However, the Azande themselves are yet to conduct their own census soon.
The Azande People:
The Equatorian Azande lives primary in the western part of Equatoria Region in South Sudan from: The town of Maridi to Boo Bridge, adjacent Equatoria border with Bahr El Ghazal Region. Another group of the Azande commonly known as: Adio or “Makaraka” are found in Yei, Central Equatoria. The name Makaraka means “you carry me” Those were the victims of King Gbudwe ward that fought eastbound expansion battle in Juba town. The Juba battle was neither defeated nor won, as King Gbudwe battalion were unable to sweem across the River Nile. Hence, those soldiers who were broken were taken to Yei for treatment and as a result they became residents. As they were all wounded people, when others wanted to help them, they used to say, “mo akare aka” “you carry me” which others commonly call them “Makaraka”. The Azande are also found in Western Bahr El Ghazal Region, these Azande settlers are believed to have settled in the area during the northbound expansion and through their loyalties to Arabi Dafalla Pasha . The Congolese Azande lives primary in the Orientale Province along the Uele River from Kisangani to Nabiapai and the Centrafricaine Azande lives in the Southeast part of The Central African Republic.
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