“A Long Walk to Water” Characters: Navigating Tribal Tensions and Personal Trials

In the story, there are two characters, Nya and Salva. Salva was born in South Sudan and is a Dinka, unlike Nya, who was born in South Sudan and was a Nuer. The Dinka and Nuer did not get along. They fought for water, and the two tribes caused a war, soon hitting Salva's home. Salva faced multiple challenges, but he survived them without his family. In general, Slava faced plenty of challenges, some being separated from his family, traveling alone through the Gilo River, and leaving Sudan to go to America.

The Challenges of Family Separation

One challenge Salva had to face was being separated from his family. He managed to survive, but this affected Salva negatively because he lost his loved ones and was all alone. Salva being alone made him ask himself questions like, "Where is my family? "When will I see them aging? "(9). Salva is on his way to find someone or someplace to hide or stay while the war is going on. Salva found himself confused and curious about what to do: either go back home or run from the war and everything. Salva managed to survive the runaway by getting help. He got help from old Dinka women who owned the barn he woke up in.

This happened because when Salva ran away, he found himself in a group of men and women and older leds, but the soldier took the men, and Salva had no choice but to stay with the women and the children. However, soon, they found a barn to sleep in, and by morning, they left Salva all alone. Salva being alone once again affected him negatively because he was now alone. Luckily, Salva found a Dinka woman who managed to help him survive for a few weeks, and in return, Salva would go to the pound every day to fetch her water until the old lady had to go.

Salva kept asking himself the same questions: "What will I do?" "Where will I go?" The next day, Salva asked the woman why he could not go with her, and the woman replied, "It will be too dangerous for me "(18). Salva understood but still needed to figure out what to do. The Dinka women saw a group and asked If Salva could join them, and they said yes, even though they had their differences about Salva coming along. Before Salva could go, the women gave him a handful of raw panties for his journey.

Survival Against All Odds: Crossing the Gilo River

Another challenge Salva had to face was traveling alone through the Gilo River and the desert. Salva going across the country by himself was challenging because the river is one of the most dangerous things to do in Sudan. It was known for its giant, mighty crocodiles, which could kill him in a bite. Salva knew that this journey would be one of the hardest things he would ever do, but if Salva wanted to survive, he knew it would take much courage. Linda Sue Park states, "The soldiers were chasing us towards the river "(79).

This quote shows that the soldiers did not want the refugees in the camp, and they wanted them towards the river. "It felt like hours" (79). After Salva made it through the river, Salva wondered how he was one of the lucky ones who made it to the Gilo River. Park states," Later, he would learn that at least a thousand people died trying to cross the river that day" (79). This showed Salva that at least one hundred people died trying to cross the river. They were either eaten, drowned, or shot by the soldiers. Salva, being in the place of the leader, decided to go to another refugee camp, and he became a leader of men and boys. He assigned tasks to everyone in the group in order to survive.

An Unexpected Mentor: Salva’s Meeting with Michael

Soon, they were at the refugee camp. That is when Salva meets Michael; Savla is now twenty-two years old. Salva lives in Kauma with "seventy thousand people; some said it was more, eighty or ninety thousand" (84). Park states," Kauma had been a dreadful place." (84). Michal was an aid worker from Ireland; in his free time, he would help Salva with the a, b, and c. Salva would enjoy learning English, and he would practice every day. Salva would soon be able to talk a little.

The American Dream and The Struggle of Adaptation

The third challenge Salva had to face was leaving Sudan to go to America. For Salva to survive this, he had to get used to the American culture. He had to adapt to the American ways. This was going to be a massive change for Salva and his life. Park states, "The rumor was spreading through the camp." (87). Salva could not think of anything else. The rumor was that about three thousand boys and young men from the refugee camp would be chosen to go live in America." (87-88) This rumor got Salva thinking, what if they do not want me? What if I am too old? The day came when the list came out. Salva hugged to check the list, but his name was absent. Soon after, Michel rushed to Salva's tent." Salva! Come quickly. Your name is on the list today!" (89).

Salva went running, and Salve finally felt hope. Salva looked at the list. There was his name. Salva could not believe he was going to America. However, Salva, with the joy he had, did not think about anything else. The day came when Salva had to leave Sudan. He said goodbye to Michael. However, on his way to America, Salva had to face Language and memoirs. Soon, Salva hit winter. At first, Salva did not know what winter was because, in Sudan, it was always hot. Soon, the woman that was taking care of them came in. 

Reference

1. Park, L. S. (2010). A Long Walk to Water. Clarion Books.

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