noun
(also Anya Nya)
(The name of) a southern Sudanese guerrilla organization, engaged in conflict with northern Sudanese Arab troops in the period 1963–72.
Origin
1960s; earliest use found in Uganda Argus. From a language of what is now South Sudan, probably either (i) Ma'di ɨ̄nyānyā poison, name of the guerrilla movement (from ɨ̄nyā to poison), or (ii) Ma'di ànyángà name of the guerrilla movement, or (iii) Acholi ànyànyà poison (used against people).
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