Explain the role of priests and prophets in Nuer society.

 Priests and Prophets: Priests are required at the time of the sacrifice made for a particular sin committed by the Nuer. ‘Kuaar’ is a leopard skin priest. These priests are considered as strangers. The priests are of two types i.e. Goatleak and Jimem.

In case of a fight, if a man is killed by another man, then the priest is required to make the arrangement of an animal for sacrifice. This is done to eliminate the sin committed by a man by killing that person. The role of the priest is to act as a middle man, whose words are final. His judgment is final and cannot be questioned. The people of Nuer consider it a crime if a man has actually killed a person but denies it and does not confess for his crime.

Thus, confession is very important in the Nuer society, in the case on has committed the crime. An ox is used for sacrifice in case a person has committed a sin. The leopard skin priest acts as a medium in conducting the procedure of the sacrifice.

Similar to priests, the role of prophets in the Nuer, religion is very important. Pritchard says that in Nuer religion, a prophet is a person who is possessed by a spirit of the air.

Pritchard has made a few comparisons between a prophet and priest:

• Priest is a traditional functionary, whereas prophet is developed recently.

•The role of the priest is mainly at sacrificial functions whereas the prophet’s roles are indeterminate.

•The powers of the prophet are an inspiration from self or in other words charismatic whereas a priest gets the power from the first priest i.e., social heritage.

• A priest possesses no cultic features whereas a prophet has cultic features.

The priests and the prophets are regarded as different types of persons in the eyes of Nuers. The inspiration of the prophet gives him the power to healthy people by rubbing bis spittle on them or by sprinkling watermark or butter on them.

In the case of sacrificial ceremonies, a Nuer depends upon the leopard skin priests. The role of priest is required when a sacrifice is made if a person has committed a sin. Priests do not possess politico-administrative rights and are linked with the earth.

A priest sacrifices on earth on behalf of man. Everybody has to have faith in the judgment of the priest and his verdict is unquestionable. The leopard skin priest plays a very important role in the Nuer society. Prophets also play an important role in the Nuer society. As per Pritchard Prophets have spiritual powers. A prophet is a recent development whereas a priest is a traditional functionary. Priest holds an office whereas a prophet’s virtue resides in himself.

The priest has no cultic features prophet has cultic features. Prophet can be considered as an interpreter of the spirit. The role of priests is mainly in case of sacrifice but a prophet helps in healing by sprinkling water, milk or butter on them.

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