The Dinka sections of Tonj, Rumbek, Yirol, Wau, Aweil, and Gogrial established the Wathalel Customary Law in 1984 during a conference in Wathalel Town in present-day Tonj South County.
The laws stipulate that 21 cows must be paid for marriage or elopement, 31 cows must be paid for blood compensation, and 7 cows must be paid for adultery.
William Wol Mayom, minister of information in Warrap State, said the customary law review aims to adjust unacceptable marriage agreements, property inheritance, and women's shares in their daughters' bride price.
The document is being reviewed by the three counties of Gogrial East, Gogrial West, and Twic, at five-day workshop which commenced on Monday.
“This is the second phase because the Greater Tonj Community provided feedback during the Tonj South conference that was held in 2023,” Wol told Mayardit FM.
Participants in the review have converged in Kwajok town to deliberate on the document at a workshop facilitated by UNMISS and IOM.
The 140 participants represent three counties in Warrap State, including Gogrial West, Gogrial East, and Twic.
William further described that the review of the Wathalel traditional laws will shape communities into a modern way of social cohesion.