Wau, South Sudan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wau واو
City
Huts outside Wau, 2008
Motto(s):  Arabic: واو نار, romanized: Wau Naar Wau Nuur Wau Mayi Nom English: "Wau is Fire, Wau Is Light, Wau Shall Not Sleep"
Wau, South Sudan Location in South Sudan Show map of South Sudan Wau, South Sudan Location in Africa Show map of Africa
Country	South Sudan
Region	Bahr el Ghazal
State	Western Bahr el Ghazal
County	Wau County
Elevation	433 m (1,420 ft)
Population  (2022)
• Total	320,752
Time zone	UTC+2 (CAT)

Wau (Arabic: واو, romanized: Wāw) is a city in northwestern South Sudan. It is sometimes called Wow, Waw, or Wau Town. The city sits on the western bank of the Jur River. Wau is the capital of the Western Bahr el Ghazal region. It is about 650 kilometers (400 miles) northwest of Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

Wau is a busy trading center with many different people living there. Since 2012, it has been a municipality, which means it has its own local government. A mayor, chosen by the state governor, leads the city. Wau has several neighborhoods, including Nazareth, Hai Fahal, Sika Hadid, and Daraja.

History of Wau

Wau started as a small fort called Fort Desaix, built by the French. Later, in the 1800s, it became a fortified base, or zariba, used by traders. During the time when Sudan was ruled by both Britain and Egypt, Wau grew into an important administrative center. This meant it was a place where government decisions were made and carried out.

Conflicts and Changes

In January 1964, one of the first attacks by a group called Anyanya happened at the army barracks in Wau. Barracks are buildings where soldiers live.

During the Second Sudanese Civil War, Wau was a "garrison town." This means it was a military base for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). There was a lot of fighting in Wau in the late 1980s and again in 1998. These battles caused many people to leave their homes. For example, many Dinka people moved to a safer area, which is now known as Warrap state.

In 2010, the government's Ministry of Housing suggested a unique plan. They wanted to redesign the city of Wau to look like a giraffe!

Wau During the South Sudanese Civil War

The refugee camp at Wau town's Catholic cathedral, where around 8,500 IDPs had found shelter during the 2016–18 Wau clashes.

After the South Sudanese Civil War began, Wau saw many conflicts. There were clashes and much destruction. In April 2014, some Nuer soldiers from the local army group, the SPLA, left their posts. They had heard about a terrible event in another town. These soldiers then joined other deserters and moved towards Sudan. About 700 Nuer civilians, many of them families of the soldiers, sought safety at the UNMISS base in Wau.

In 2016, Wau experienced more intense fighting. This caused many people from the Fertit group to leave their homes. The city also suffered a lot of damage. In April 2017, soldiers and militiamen carried out a violent act against non-Dinka civilians in the town. This event led to many deaths and forced thousands more people to flee.

People of Wau

The people of Wau come from many different backgrounds. Most residents are from the Luo and Fertit groups. This is because Wau is located where the lands of these two groups meet. There are also smaller groups, like the Dinka of Marial Baai. Because of its diverse population, Wau has sometimes faced ethnic conflicts.

Population Numbers

In 2008, Wau was the third-largest city in South Sudan based on its population. Only Juba (the capital) and Malakal were larger. At that time, about 128,100 people lived in Wau. By 2011, the city's population had grown to an estimated 151,320 people.

Religious Life

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wau has its main church, the Cathedral of St. Mary, in Wau. This cathedral was built in 1905. It serves the majority of the religious community in the area.

Wau's Economy

Wau cattle market, 2008

Wau is an important economic center in the new country of South Sudan. It acts as a hub for trade between Darfur, Bahr al Ghazal, and Equatoria. Many things help the local economy, including:

• Several banks like Buffalo Commercial Bank, Equity Bank (South Sudan), Ivory Bank, and Kenya Commercial Bank (South Sudan).
• Campuses of the Catholic University of South Sudan and the University of Bahr El-Ghazal.
• Wau Airport, which connects the city to other places.
• The local governments of Wau County and Wau State.
• Radio and Satellite Communication services (RCS).

Transport and Infrastructure

St Mary Cathedral in Wau

Wau has important transport links and facilities:

• Wau Railway Station: This is the end point of a narrow gauge railway line from Sudan Railways. There are plans to build a new railway line from Gulu in Uganda to Wau. If this happens, trains could travel from Khartoum to Mombasa.
• Wau Airport: The airport has one paved runway that is 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) long.
• Education: Wau is home to the University of Bahr El-Ghazal and a campus of the Catholic University of South Sudan. It also has many secondary and primary schools.
• Wau Stadium: This is a soccer stadium located in the middle of the city.
• St. Mary's Cathedral: This important church was built between 1951 and 1956.
• Roads: There are five main roads leading out of Wau:
  • B38-North goes north to Gogrial, South Sudan.
  • B43-South goes southeast to Tonj, South Sudan.
  • A44-South goes south to Tumbura, South Sudan.
  • B41-West goes west to Raga, South Sudan.
  • B43-North goes northwest to Aweil, South Sudan.
• Southern National Park: This park is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Wau, along the A44-South road.

Geography and Climate

Wau has a tropical savanna climate. This means it has a wet season and a dry season, and it's hot all year round. The average temperature is about 27.8°C (82°F). The hottest time is from March to May, just before the rainy season starts. March is usually the hottest month.

Wau gets about 1,074.5 millimeters (42.3 inches) of rain each year, spread over about 102 days. There is almost no rain from November to March. August is the wettest month, receiving the most rainfall. September has the most rainy days. The air is much more humid during the wet season than in the dry season. Wau gets a good amount of sunshine throughout the year, with December being the sunniest month.

Famous People from Wau

Many notable people have come from Wau, including:

• Alek Wek - A famous South Sudanese-British model and designer.
• Captain Bulus Abushaka - A well-known Sudanese soccer goalkeeper.
• Captain Samuel Illario - A star player for El Marikh.
• Clement Mboro - A respected politician.
• Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako - A retired archbishop.
• Prof Barri Arkanjelo Wanji - A veteran soldier and long-serving politician.
• Dan Samuel - A national basketball player and construction manager.
• Joseph Ukel - A veteran politician.
• Thon Maker - A former NBA basketball player.
• Mari Malek - A model, DJ, and activist.
• Luol Deng - A former NBA basketball player.

Images for kids

• 

  Huts outside Wau, 2008

See also

In Spanish: Wau para niños