While getting peed on is usually the kind of thing I would pay top dollar for, in South Sudan, a cow pee shower is not only free but seen as a good thing by the Mundari Tribe.
This raises the daily obvious question of why on earth would they do this, how they do it, and WTF is it all about? Well, I went there so you don’t have to.
What the South Sudan?
South Sudan is the world’s youngest country, officially gaining independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of brutal civil war. You’d think that becoming independent would have solved everything, but no—civil war, factional violence, and general instability have plagued the nation ever since. This is the kind of place where warlords are as common as street vendors, and where life is as unpredictable as a power cut in Phnom Penh.
Despite the chaos, South Sudan is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, with over 60 different ethnic groups calling it home. Among them are the Dinka, Nuer, and, of course, the Mundari—our main characters for today’s bizarre but fascinating cultural experience.
Click to read about the drinks of (north) Sudan.
What the Mundari Tribe?
The Mundari are a pastoralist tribe, meaning their entire existence revolves around cattle. And I do mean entire existence. Their cows are their wealth, their status symbol, and their ticket to the afterlife. A man without cattle is basically a nobody in Mundari society.
But they don’t just own cows; they practically worship them. Cattle dung is used for fires, their milk is a staple food, and their urine? Well, that’s where things get interesting. The Mundari believe that cow urine has antiseptic properties and is great for both skin and hair care. Think of it as nature’s version of a beauty salon—except instead of a trendy shampoo, you get golden rain straight from the source.
Watching a Cow Pee Shower in South Sudan
So, joking aside, what is it like to witness a cow pee shower in South Sudan? Well, I’ll put it like this: it is less weird than watching guys blow air into a cow’s vagina and hearing a fanny fart (more on that later).
The whole process is oddly ceremonial. A young Mundari man will approach a cow, gently rub its belly to get things moving, and then position himself under the sacred stream as the animal relieves itself. The bright yellow liquid drenches his hair and skin, and he rubs it in like it’s the finest conditioner on earth. There’s no hesitation, no second thoughts—just a deep belief that this is the best thing he can do for his hygiene and, presumably, his dating life.
To an outsider, this looks like something out of a particularly weird porno, but to the Mundari, it’s completely normal. The ammonia in the urine is believed to kill bacteria and parasites, and the bleaching effect helps give their hair a distinctive reddish hue—sort of like a budget version of a bottle blonde…
How can I watch a Pee Shower in South Sudan?
Now, before you start thinking this is just some random stunt for TikTok influencers, let me stop you right there. Visiting the Mundari is a genuine cultural experience, not some sideshow act. The tribe is welcoming to visitors, but this isn’t the kind of thing you casually stumble upon while backpacking.
South Sudan is not your typical travel destination. Some will say you can do it independently, but unless you enjoy unnecessary paperwork and the occasional run-in with a bored soldier at a checkpoint, you’re much better off joining a tour.
We (YPT) run excellently managed trips to South Sudan that utilize the best guides and avoid the main dangers…..
