Dinka

American  

[ding-kuh] / ˈdɪŋ kə /

noun

plural

Dinkas,

plural

Dinka

1. a member of a tall, pastoral people of Sudan.

2. the language of the Dinka, a Nilotic language closely related to Shilluk.

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Dinka British  

/ ˈdɪŋkə /

noun

1. a member of a Nilotic people of South Sudan, noted for their height, which often reaches seven feet tall: chiefly herdsmen

2. the language of this people, belonging to the Nilotic group of the Nilo-Saharan family

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Etymology

Origin of Dinka

from Dinka jieng people

Example Sentences

The conflict in has largely pitted the two largest ethnic groups against each other -- the Dinka aligned mostly with Kiir, and the Nuer mostly with Machar.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

These have been fuelled by ethnic divisions - Kiir is Dinka, while Machar is Nuer - and competing political ambitions.

From BBC • Sep. 16, 2025

The country, over the last years, has seen the limits of the peace deal forged between South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir, a Dinka, and his Nuer deputy, Riek Machar.

From Washington Post • Feb. 4, 2023

Kiir comes from South Sudan's largest ethnic group, the Dinka.

From Reuters • Feb. 3, 2023

We were used to Dinka houses—all enclosed with just a little crack or door to let air in.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau