“I am not a Christian, I am from Atenydior” – Kiir’s press secretary Ateny Wek declares

JUBA – Ateny Wek Ateny, the press secretary of South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has told a crowd of people attending a wedding ceremony at a Juba hall that he is not a Christian, but a man of Atenydior belief.

It is not clear where and when the close ally of South Sudan president made the comments, but he could be seen in a footage telling people that he has seized to be a Christian and has returned to be a man of Atenydior as he used to be.

“Finally as I am a man from Atenydior, I am not a Christian. I said several times here on these occasions I have ceased to be a Christian, I have returned to what I am,” Ateny told the gathering.

The presidential press secretary went on to explain the unusual, but popular to men of his clan, religion.

“The Atenydior way and Atenydior does things in a very unique way, because we talk direct to God, there is nobody in between us and God,” he said.

“So I am now asking almighty God without anybody’s intervention to bless you and have a house that will have children and the wealth and may God bless anyone that has come here and you will go with the peace of Atenydior everybody will be in the house and there is nothing that will happen to you thank you,” he added.

In Dinka culture, each clan has its own god and Ateny Wek Ateny’s clan is Pakuin and their God is Atenydior.

Ateny’s god is named after their great-great grandfather or patriarchy Atenydior.