Where Nyipir/Gipir’s water jug dissolved to form a cold spring
From Kasegali, Nyipir/Gipir next stopover was at a spring-well called Aliwa. Nyipir/Gipir arrived at Aliwa at sunset. Tired and thirsty, he sat on a rock and tilted his water jug into his mouth to quench his thirst. There was hardly any drop of water left.
He threw the jug down, lamenting, “Ka nwango iliwu idoko ni pii, kuno di amedhi aderi” (meaning if you turned into water, I would drink you all). It is believed that Nyipir/Gipir’s actions forced the jug to dissolve to form the current spring. Located in Aliwa village, Reru parish, Akworo sub-county, Nebbi district, the Aliwa spring is a natural spring where cold-water jets out from Nyipir/Gipir’s forgotten water jug near the spot where he spent a night after separation at Wang-Lei while following his miraculous cow that strayed from Kasegali.
During the dry spell, the spring’s water level decreases, and the community members of Padolo and Boro are left with no choice but to dig down to Nyipir/Gipir’s water jug. Once this is done, locals say that clean and safe drinking water jets out through the opening of the jug. The Aliwa spring serves the surrounding community with drinking water throughout the year.
The Aliwa spring also provides the source of water for the annual rain sacrifice for the Boro chiefdom of the Alur kingdom. The Boro rain maker performs the annual rain ritual in February. The rain maker’s position is hereditary, from father to son and in the lineage of Odubuker – Dominico – Adubango.