↑ Kangaroo Dance, South Sudan

Did you know that marriage in SS means four years of freedom for the bride?

Though payment of bride price ranges from 100 to 500 cows, lands, houses and millions of South Sudanese Pounds, women are treated like demi-gods in the Dinka custom of marriage.

Once a man gets married, his wife will not cook, clean or perform any house chores for 4 years. This period is called "Anyuuc" (Generous Welcoming). It is meant for the new bride to rest, relax and study her husband's values. She is also not required to get pregnant within the period.

During this time, her husband's siblings/relatives will do the cooking, washing, cleaning and other house chores for the first four years

After 4 years, her husband decides to arrange a very big party called "Thaat" (cooking festival) where 3 cows and 5 goats are slaughtered to initiate a wife into cooking for the family.

But if the man misbehaves during the 4 years, the wife can decide to leave and she doesn't even have to refund the bride price.