We spent the last few days interviewing returnees to the area, seeing schools and visiting a small clinic. Rumbek County is a predominantly Dinka area, and so we've been learning a bit about the Dinka.

Today was our last full day in Rumbek. We took the occasion to visit a few cattle camps outside of town. It was a bumpy, off-road trip in a Land Cruiser, led by our Dinka colleague Abuna Elijah.

We arrived in several large clearings arranged with poles and stakes. They were evidently stockyards but the cattle had gone to graze earlier in the morning. So, we drove on, looking for the herds.

We found a herd a little before noon. It was quite a sight -- several hundred cattle and scores of men, women and children. One man told us there were 700 cattle and 150 people. The people were an extended family.

He said that the family had taken refuge in the wilderness during the war, and the cattle had sustained them while enemy soldiers controlled Rumbek.

We also learned that this is a difficult season for cattle. It is dry and there is little water or forage. Yesterday, there were conflicts between herders in another area. So, there are issues to be resolved.

Most of the cattle headed out shortly after we arrived. We stuck around and talked with some of the people. Melissa took photos of a cow giving birth.

I spotted these two guys fencing with blunt wooden swords. They were good at it and they seemed to be having a good time.