o, Holtzman points to a study by Sharon Hutchinson in the late 1980s which details significant changes in the Nuer way of life. For instance, the Nuer are now an ethnic group subsumed into the Sudanese nation rather than an independent tribal people (Holtzman 6-7). Another change involves the fact that money has been introduced into the Nuer society along with western education, Christianity, migratory wage labor, the expansion of the cattle markets, and increased government control of the lives of the Nuer in the Sudan. The most significant change in Nuer culture involves the impact of the ongoing civil war in Sudan between the traditional Christian areas in the south and the overwhelmingly Muslim population of the north (Holtzman 7).
The displacement of Sudanese people by the civil war has accelerated the migration of Nuer people to the United States. Clearly, the changes in traditional Nuer life in Sudan are small and entirely different from the adjustments the Nuer have to make if they reach the United States and are granted political asylum. Changes that the Nuer must address include adjusting to living in apartments, using a stove for cooking, and buying food at a store (Holtzman 49). Holtzman describes the culture shock of American society to the Nuer. For example, most Nuer arrive in the United States without basic literacy skills. Many Nuer have never heard English until they begin the resettlement process (Holtzman 51). Additionally, many Nuer have no experience with employment, entrepreneurship, money, or how to apply for a job (Holtzman 52).
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