Kui̱da
About the Thok Nath Research Institute
THOK NATH RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Thok Nath Research Institute and Bangtigow Foundation are educational entities under the Romro Foundation, a 501(c) nonprofit registered in the State of Delaware, USA — dedicated to empowering young people across Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Africa.
Students Worldwide
Staff Members
Continents
Year Founded
Ɣɔw ɛ luoc kä kuony
— Thok Nath Proverb
BBC News Africa Eye
We had the opportunity to collaborate with BBC News Africa Eye in transcribing powerful video recordings that shed light on the devastating effects of climate change and ongoing conflict in South Sudan and Sudan. These recordings capture the harsh realities faced by communities struggling to survive amidst environmental challenges and instability, providing crucial insight into one of the most pressing issues of our time.
Our Story
The Thok Nath Research Institute was founded in 2023 as part of the Bangtigow Foundation's commitment to preserving the Nuer language and culture. What began as a small initiative quickly grew into a global movement.
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On May 25, 2024, we launched our first online Thok Nath class simultaneously for learners in North America, Africa, Europe, and Australia. The response was overwhelming — students from three continents joined on the very same day, united by their love for the Nuer language.
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Today, with over 200 students worldwide, we continue to grow our community of Nuer language learners. Our goal remains clear: to ensure that Thok Nath thrives for generations to come — spoken by Nuer children from South Sudan and Ethiopia to North America, Europe, and Australia.
Our Team
The instructors and staff of the Thok Nath Research Institute
Cäŋkuɔth Nyaak Caanäth
THOK NATH INSTRUCTORCɔal ciötdää Cäŋkuɔth Nya̱a̱k Caaŋäth, ɣän cä thuɔ̲k kä kɔmpio̠o̠tɛr, ɛ ta̱a̱ kɛɛ di̠kri̠i̠ydɛ. ɣän ŋi̱eecä kä Gämbɛlɛ duel gɔ̲rä mɛn ŋieec kɛ ŋi̱eec tin laa gaat wia̱a̱ ŋi̱i̱c duël gɔ̲ri̠ tin te piny Gämbɛlɛ Kɔɔlic, ɣän ŋi̱eecä kɔmpio̠o̠tɛr thi̠n. ɣän ŋa̱cä kuën thuɔk nath kä ŋa̱cä gɔ̲a̱rɛ, ɣän nhökdä kɛ Thok Nuäärä cɛ ɣä jak kä ɣöö bi̠ ɣänɛ ram kɛl mi̠ bi̠ Thok Nath ŋi̱eec kä nɛy tin görkɛ jɛ ɛn ɣöö dee kɛ Thok Nath kuëndɛ kɛnɛ ruacdɛ ŋa̱c. kä mɛn nhɔakä ɛlo̠ŋ ɛn ɣöö bä Thok Nuäärä ŋi̱eec kɛ jɛ ɛ ɣöö ɛn thok piɛth kɛ jɛ kɛ tet, mi̠ /ci̠ ji̠kɛ ruac kɛ jɛ, ɛn thok ɛmɔ laa li̠wɛ kä laa riawɛ.
I'm Changkuoth Nyak Changath. I have a Bachelor's degree in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and computer science, I currently hold the position of ICT educator at Gambella Teacher Training and Health Sciences College in Ethiopia. My passion for the Nuer language led me to become literate in Thok Nath. This love for the language has motivated me to join others dedicated to teaching Thok Nath to Nuer elders and young people, helping them develop literacy, writing skills, and fluency in their native tongue. The main reason I teach the Nuer language is because I believe that when communities stop speaking their native language, it risks fading away due to reduced participation in literacy, literature, and everyday conversations. My goal is to actively contribute to the preservation of the Nuer language within the Nuer community.
Cuɔɔl Ruɛy Dɛ̈ɛ̈ŋ
THOK NATH INSTRUCTORCɔalä Cuɔɔl Ruɛy Dɛ̈ɛ̈ŋ, cä thuɔk kɛ gɔ̱a̱r duel gɔ̱rä Ni̱w Yɔ̱k in di̱i̱t kɛɛ Ɛkɔ̱ni̱mik kɛnɛ Mathi̱mi̱tik. La̱tdä ɛntäämɛ ɛ la ram in te nhi̱am kä Baŋ-ti̱-gɔw. Kä Baŋ-ti̱-gɔw, te kɛ yac kä ɣöö ba̱kɔ do̱r Nuäärä lät i̱kä ɛ we guäth tin kɔ̱ŋ kɛ dup da̱ŋ di̱ɔ̱k ɛ ti; Rɛy Gɔ̱a̱rä, Ciaŋ la̱t, amäni̱ Ci̱ɛŋ Cuɔ̱p.
My name is Chuol Ruei Deng, and I am a graduate of New York University in Abu Dhabi, where I studied Economics and Mathematics. I currently serve as the Executive Director of the Bangtigow Foundation. At Bangtigow, our mission is to educate the Nuer Nation and beyond through our three pillars: Education, Business, and Technology.
Cäär Lual Bayäk
THOK NATH INSTRUCTORƔän, cɔaalä Cäär Lual Bayäk. Ɛ ɣän ram kɛl kä ŋi̠eec duël gɔ̱rä min di̠i̠t, mi̠ laa ŋi̠i̠c naath kɛ Thok Li̠ŋli̠thni̠. Ɣän nhɔakä ŋi̠i̠c nath ɛlɔ̱ŋ, kä laa guɔ̱ɔ̱rä ni̠ dup ŋi̠i̠cä di̠aal tin gööl, tin laa lät kɛ ji̠ wec muɔ̱ɔ̱n di̠aal. Ɣän cä lät kä kumɛ kɛ run ti̠ cuɔp kɛ 17, ti̠ mat kɛ run tëë ci̠ lät kɛ ɣä rɛy mäktäpni̠ luäkä wec muɔ̱ɔ̱n da̱ŋ bäkɛl thi̠n. Ɛ ɣän ram kɛl kä nɛy tin ci̠ yi̠eyki̠ɛn la̱th kä ɣöö bi̠kɛ buɔk ni̠ gɔ̱r, kä bi̠kɛ buɔk ni̠ loc kɛ Thok Li̠ŋli̠thni̠ kɛnɛ Thok Nath. Kɛn lät kä, te rɛy di̠ɛn kɛ nyök ri̠alä buɔkni̠ i̠kä, kɛ gör ŋäcä kä duɔ̱ɔ̱r, amäni̠ ŋi̱i̱c nath. Ɣän, cä thuɔ̱k duel gɔ̱rä kɛ Däkri̠i̠ in nhi̠am kɛnɛ Däkri̠i̠ in rɛwdɛ, kɛ Thok Li̠ŋli̠thni̠. Ɛn täm,ɛ ci̠ëŋä rɛy rɛ̈ɛ̈k in cɔali̠ Gämbɛlɛ, rɛy rööl I̱thi̠öpi̠a.
My name is Mr. Char Lual Bayak, a university lecturer who teaches English as a Foreign Language, with a focus on different global teaching methodologies. I have 17 years of experience, which includes working with six international non-governmental organizations. I am one of the committed writers and translators of both English and the Nuer language. My work also includes the revision of books, research work, and training. I hold both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in English Language. I am currently based in Gambella City, Ethiopia.
Gatdeet Tɔŋyi̱i̱k Jɔak
THOK NATH INSTRUCTORGatdeet Tɔŋyi̱i̱k Jɔak, ŋi̱i̱cɛ Thok Nuäärä kä Kɔ̱lii̱c ŋi̱i̱ckä ŋiääcni̱ kɛnɛ Ki̱mni̱ rɛy rɛ̈ɛ̈k kä Gämbɛlɛ Ithɔpiaa. Cɛ thuɔ̱k kɛ Thok Li̱ŋɛli̱thni̱ kä Ji̱mɛ Yunɛbäthi̱ti̱ kä Ithɔpiaa. Cɛ lät ɛ la kuär duëël gɔ̱rkä min da̱a̱r amäni̱ Duëël gɔ̱r kä min di̱i̱t. Ɛ ŋi̱i̱c thuɔk nath kɛnɛ thok Liŋɛli̱thni̱ kä Kɔ̱li̱i̱c ŋi̱i̱ckä ŋi̱ääcni̱ kɛnɛ Ki̱mni̱. Cɛ lät ɛ la ram guur lät duëëli̱ gɔ̱rkä kɛnɛ dup tin dee gɔ̱a̱r we nhial kɛ jɛ. Cɛ lät kä Muktäp duëël gɔ̱rkä Gämbɛlɛ ɛn di̱it ɛ la ram mi̱ loc thuk kɛnɛ luɔ̱c buɔkni̱ tin naŋ kɛ kä jɔw mi liɛŋ kɛ. Lätɛ ɛ la ram mi̱ loc thok Buuny kɛnɛ thok Li̱ŋɛli̱thni̱ kɛ locdiɛn kä Thok Nuäärä kiɛ Thok Nath. Lätɛ ɛ la ram kɛl kä nɛy tin ta̱th kɛ Nuäär Ki̱ybuɔɔt kɛnɛ gɛrɛ Thuɔk Nath kä Thɔpi - wɛɛr. Lätɛ ɛ la ram kɛl kä nɛy tin rial kɛ Ka̱ri̱käläm duëël gɔ̱rkä gan mi̱n da̱a̱r i̱kä.
Gatdet Tongyik Jock serves as a teacher at Gambella Teachers Education and Health Sciences College in Gambella, Ethiopia. He graduated with a Bachelor of English Language from Jimma University in Ethiopia. He has served as a primary and secondary school principal, a college department head, and a coordinator for the school improvement program. He has also worked as a translator and interpreter at the Gambella State Education Bureau, translating both English and Amharic languages to Nuer. Additionally, he is one of the developers of the Nuer language keyboard and is involved in translating it to software. Furthermore, he is a curriculum developer for the primary school cycle.
Yir-mɛ-ya Puɔl Kɔryɔm
BISHOP · THOK NATH AUTHORCɔalkɛ ciötdä Yir-mɛ-ya Puɔl Kɔryɔm, kɛ luɔt la̱tdä ɛ ɣän Bicɔp Luak Kuɔth. Ɣän cä Buɔkni da̱ŋ diɔ̱k, Ruac Pɛli Nuäärä, Gɔɔy Pi̱i̱ni kɛ Puɔ̱ny kɛnɛ Ma̱rma̱a̱ri Thuɔk Nath, min /ka̱n ni ka̱m raar. Bokdä in nhiamdiɛn ni Ruac Pɛli Nuäärä ka̱mä jɛ raar kɛ ruɔ̱n 2007 kɛ kuën U-rɔp. Ce̱tkɛ ŋi̱i̱c Ruac Kuɔth, cɛ cop lɔɔcdä ɛn ɣöö dee raan ŋäc thuɔk man yi̱k kööt. Kä nɔ, cua̱ rɔ cu ŋie̱e̱c kɛ ŋäc gɔ̱rä, rie̱e̱t kɛnɛ dup tin piith Thok Nath. Kɔr gɔ̱rädä ɛ ŋi̱i̱c Ruaacni Kuɔth min cä thuɔ̱k thi̱n kɛ dhur in nhiam, kä ɛn täämɛ liɛpä ni wä rɛc kɛ dhur in rɛwdɛ kä Thɛn Puɔl rɛy Nayröbi. La̱tdä ɛ ta̱nygɔ̱rä kɛnɛ köc buɔkni Thuɔk Liŋli̱thni kɛnɛ Thok Nath.
My name is Jeremiah Paul Koryom, and I am a Bishop by position. I authored three books: The Nuer Proverbs, Water Therapy, and Nuer Intuition, which has not yet materialized. I wrote my first book in both Nuer and English in 2007. As a preacher of God's Word, I began to realize the importance of Nuer literature simply because a preacher must be well-versed in the knowledge of his or her mother tongue. Thus, I was compelled to practice my writing skills, vocabulary, and more in the Nuer language. My educational background is in Biblical Theology, with a Bachelor's Degree, which I studied in Cairo. I enrolled for a Master's degree in Biblical Counseling and Psychology at St. Paul's University, Nairobi. I do research and edit papers in both English and Thok Nath.
Muɔ̱c Cuɔɔl Da̱k
JOURNALIST · THOK NATH REPORTERƔän cɔal ci̱ötdää Muɔ̱c Cuɔɔl Da̱k. cä gɔ̱a̱r kɛ di̱gri̱i̱ in nhaim kɛ ŋi̱i̱c kɛnɛ Röm Maarä Wi̱äc-Muɔ̱ɔ̱n Duel gɔ̱rä min di̱i̱t in cɔali̱ Ni̱w-Gɛnɛrëcin kä Adi̱th Abɛba kɛ ruɔ̱ɔ̱n ki̱thni̱ rɛw wi̱dɛ wäl ba̱rɔw 2017 kɛ kuën nɛɛni̱ tin bo̱o̱r. Ɛntämɛ kɛ jɛn gua̱a̱th ɛmɛ, la̱tdä ɛla rami̱ tho̱o̱p lääri̱ mi̱ lotni̱ ɣöö lɛ ɣän lääri̱ kɛnɛ puɔrɛgi̱ra̱mni̱ ti̱ gööl ɛ riali̱kä kɛ Thok-Nath kä bä kɛ jakä we rɛy jɔam kä canal Ti̱lɛbi̱cinkä OBN ɛn rɛwdɛ ɛn cɔali̱ OBN Horn of Africa. Lɛ nɛy puɔrɛgi̱ra̱mni̱ kɛnɛ Lääri̱ kɛ kui̱i̱ ciɛŋä naath, kɛ kui̱i̱ Ikɔ̱nɔmik amäni̱ kui̱i̱ puɔlɛtikä ɛ lät, kɛ kɔrɛ bi̱ nɛy kɛ jakä we rɛy jɔam kɛ ɣöö bi̱ nɛy tin ruac kɛ Thok-Nath ŋɔaani̱ tin läät rɔ̱ɔ̱diɛn wi̱i̱muɔ̱ɔ̱n ŋa̱c. Ta̱a̱ kɛ nhök mi̱ di̱i̱t ɛlɔ̱ŋ kɛ ɣöö bä naath ŋi̱ääc, bä naath jakä te kɛ ŋäc mi̱ rɔ̱ŋ amäni̱ ɣöö bäkɛ jaa muɔŋ ni̱ ciaŋ kɛ kui̱i̱ ŋɔaani̱ tin läät rɔ̱ɔ̱diɛn kɛ Thok-Nath. Kɛn lääri̱ tin lɛ nɛy ka gɔ̱ɔ̱r rɛy jɔam kɛ Thok_Nath, gɔ̱a̱rkɛ kɛ kɛ ɣöö bi̱ Nuääri̱ te kɛ ŋäc mi̱ gɔaa kɛ kui̱i̱ ŋɔaani̱ tin läät rɔ̱diɛn kɛ Thok-Nath. ɛn nɔmɔ ɛ jɛn kɛl in jak ɣä kä ɣöö bi̱ nhök in te kɛ ɣä kɛ Thok-Nath rɔɔdɛ rep.
My name is Muoch Chuol Dak. I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Global Studies and International Relations in 2017 G.C from New Generation University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Currently, I work as a journalist, specifically as a Thok-Nath (Nuer) language News Reporter and Program Producer at OBN Horn of Africa, a sister channel of the main OBN Afaan Oromoo of the Oromia Broadcasting Network, a TV station owned by the Oromia Regional State Government based in Adama, Ethiopia. At OBN Horn of Africa, we produce news and programs targeting the Nuer audience on socio-economic, cultural, and political issues, all delivered in Thok-Nath. I take pride in informing, educating, and entertaining my Nuer audience with current issues and breaking news written in Thok-Nath. This approach ensures that Nuer people who do not read or listen to other languages can access news and programs in their language, keeping them informed. My passion for the Nuer language continues to grow each day as I strive to teach and learn from others, further enriching my connection with the language and the community it serves.
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