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The New International Encyclopædia/Dinka

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Edition of 1905. See also Dinka people on Wikipedia; and the disclaimer.

DIN′KA (native name Jyeng). The largest negro tribe of the Egyptian Sudan, living on both sides of the White Nile between latitudes 12° and 6° N. They live chiefly from their numerous herds of cattle. The men go perfectly naked, and both sexes extract the two upper incisor teeth. Being brave warriors, they furnish the best material for the Sudanese regiments. The most complete grammar of their language is that of Mitterrutzner (Brixen, 1866). On their manners and customs, consult Schweinfurth, In the Heart of Africa, translated by Frewer (London, 1873); Kaufmann, Schilderungen aus Central Afrika (Brixen, 1862).