The colourful and culturally rich Nubians

In Summary

The Nubians have a unique and colourful culture. Flavia Lanyero writes about this culture and how it can provide the country tourism appeal

Their trade mark as it were, at least for the women is a huge, usually bright coloured garment spread across their body from head to toe, matched with (normally) shining head gear accompanied with a hidden pair of sandals. A Nubian lady has to appear like that in public or at least for a special occasion. For the men, it has to be a Kanzu and a coat

They also take pride in their basket weaving, cooking skills and ancient history of their origin from the Nuba Mountains in the great ancient Sudan where their cradle land is.

In Uganda, this rather small community of less than a million people has its biggest population in Bombo. Others are scattered in Entebbe and Mbarara.

Wherever the Nubians are, they are highly distinguishable because of their unique culture and skill in art, especially in basket weaving which is passed down from generation to generation. The women weave mats, jewellery, baskets, and wall hangings among other decorations. And as one of them says, it is the duty of every Nubian woman to pass the skill to the daughters.
“I weaved my first mat when I was seven years. It was most treasured mat in the house at that time. Whenever a visitor came home, my mother showed them the mat and I was showered with praise,” narrates Hadijah Ahmed now an Insemination Officer and a member of the Bombo Tourism Nubian Craft Group.

Today, Hadijah has a demanding job but she says that she has to make time for weaving as well as tutor 10 nieces of hers.
“I now have a role, to teach my nieces how to weave. The job I have is not an eight to five one, so I can be called any time but I still make sure I weave something. It is part of our culture,” she says.

Because the larger part of the Nubian community is Muslim, the Nubians have great respect for their sexes. Rarely do they mix, especially at functionsor even during meals. Their meals mainly comprise rice, chapatti, bread and meat or chicken and greens prepared with a touch of spices. Though some of them speak English, many communicate in their native Nubian language or a mixture of Kiswahili and Arabic.

Such is the culture that a tourist will clearly enjoy and learn from in a new project by the Community Based Tourism Initiative (Cobati). The Nubians will now be able to share their culture with the rest of the world, entertaining tourists with not only their crafts but also indulging them in their culture.

And as one tour guide of the project Ramathan Katikiira explains, there is a lot to offer from the community.

“The Masjidnooru Mosque is one of the oldest mosques we have here. It was built in 1948 with great ancient history. The women will be able to teach tourists how to cook our meals. The tourists will sleep in our houses and experience our way of life,” Mr Katikiira elaborates on what to expect in this tourism initiative.

“A typical Nubian house is very spacious. The front of the house is colourfully painted with geometric patterns. Most of the paintings and decorations on the homes have religious meanings. The colourful designs are a distinctive and admired feature of Nubian culture,” Mr Katiikira says.

This initiative could perhaps see the Nubians rise back to their former glory as it were in the 1970s during Idi Amin’s rule as President. History has it that a Nubian during Amin’s time could issue any directive and no one would dare question it unless it was a fellow Nubian or Kakwa. Most of the Nubian men at that time joined the armed forces and rose very fast through ranks to become senior officers.

One could say the Nubians power diminished at the same time Idi Amin was removed from power in 1979.

In the 1960s, many of the Nubian villages were flooded as a result of the construction of the Aswan High Dam. About 100,000 Nubians were forced to resettle in “New Nubia,” 20 miles north of Aswan. Others relocated to Uganda and Kenya.
The Executuve Director Cobati, Maria Baryamujura says that the Community Tourism Initiative is the new dimension tourism is taking, intended to have locals directly benefit from tourism unlike through foreign revenue that goes directly to the government.

“When tourists come from abroad, they are driven direct to the game parks and mountains and back to the airport yet Uganda and Africa as a whole is rich in culture which holds potential for our tourism,” Ms Baryamujura said. She says this initiative will soon be started in all districts in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer Themba Khumalo whose company co-sponsored the COBATI initiative said unique culture and traditional way of life of the Nubian people provides an attraction that has been felt worldwide for many years, and can be tapped into for the benefit of the entire nation.

“By investing in human capital, MTN Uganda has set an example for the rest of Corporate Uganda. I believe that if all the corporate bodies got involved in such ventures, the lives of countless Ugandans would take a turn for the better.” Mr Khumalo said.

Components of Nubian culture

Female attire
Kikoyi- inner garment
Veil/head gear
Dress
Tobu- cloth wrapped across
Sandals
Ear, finger and nose rings.

Crafts
Tabaga- trays
Dingwala – food baskets
Sondu- cutlery kit
Jewellery, tablecloths, mats and beads etc

SOURCE http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/-/689856/1166260/-/item/1/-/jq9exvz/-/index.html

Kibera grannies go green by recycling plastic paper

By Ethel Omenda

Non bio-degradable plastic paper bags pose a challenge in combating environmental problems. They are cheap, their popularity and usefulness make them common at the shopping malls, grocery stores and mama pima. The lack of a proper mechanisms in managing waste in slums has rendered most areas to be waste dumping sites.

Every year two million plastic bags are handed out in Nairobi alone, and only a quarter of daily waste is collected. In bid to conserve the environment, Marhaba spoke to women in Kibera who have found creative ways of recycling plastic paper bags into environmental friendly products.

Zero Waste Women Group was started in 2000 but received recognition in 2004. The name “Zero waste” came about due to the undying effort by these women to give back ‘life’ to used paper bags and in the end conserving the environment, says 61 year old Kadar Abubakar one of the founder members.

Their interest in the recycling industry was sparked by the realization of easily accessible plastic paper bags that were fast becoming an environmental hazard and a nuisance.

Their level of creativity cannot be under-estimated by looking at their faces. Though they are aged, their collective effort has seen them make unique handbags, door mats, clutch bags, stools and dresses from plastic paper bags. They are full of gratitude to the current digital age that has rendered recording tapes of little importance but of great value in making hand bags. However the patience and tolerance required in their work has seen the group remain with 15 active members from the initial 77 women.

Process

The process of making these plastic paper bag items starts with collecting papers that are still in good condition. They are gathered from households and dump sites with the help of a few youths. In their small way, they have managed to create employment for these youths. “A small amount of KSh10 paper bag is handed out to these youth to motivate them,” says Amina.

The papers are then washed with soap to remove germs and hanged to dry for ten to twenty minutes. The second step involves cutting the papers bags into strings. The strings are then sewn together into shapes blending different colors to enhance its uniqueness. For instance, door mats are made into colors and shapes of animals like Zebras and cheetahs.

Buckles from old clothes and curtains are used as handles to support the bag and make it look stylish. Broken plastic containers and cans are turned into seating stools by decorating them with these papers.

Due to the lack of enough publicity of this group among the locals, tourists are their main customers. On a good order they earn between KSh2000 to 3000/= per person. Tourists offer good profits by buying the bag for KSh1800 to 2000 each. Locally the handbags are sold for Sh 500. Depending on the season, size and make, the price can rise to KSh800 or 1000. The cheapest of their products is a pocket bag that costs KSh150. Paper bag dresses are on demand during fashion contests and rainy seasons as they act as a rain coat.

According to a report released by the government in February 2005, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis, evaluated the state of waste management in the country focusing on plastic bag pollution. It recommended for the development of programs to encourage people not to litter, but to recycle or use alternative bags for their shopping needs.

Late Professor Wangare Maathai

In this regard, it is saddening that the government is yet to recognize the effort of these Muslim women. However the Late Wangare Maathai was the only government official who was about to reward their effort. “We were to meet with Prof Wangare Maathai but unfortunately she passed on that same week,” adds 51 year old Zena Haile.

However, the international recognition they have received especially from Italy has enabled them to increase their market base. “Most tourists get amused with our creativity. We once got orders from Comesa countries and we made bags branded with flags and name of these countries. They were later exported to Tanzania and Zimbabwe,” explains 57 year old Amina Abdallah.

Zero waste women’s group is happy to have been trained by Teranova Group from Italy to advance their skills. In 2006, they had several exchange programs with students from Italy and those studying Arts from the University of Nairobi. They have also trained fellow women from Kilifi county and students from Aga Khan primary and secondary in Nairobi.

Carolina for Kibera is a nongovernmental organization that has promoted the publicity of these women group. It donated one sewing machine that has been helpful especially in sewing linings for the bags. The increasing demand of their products has seen them create their own publicity. They have posters in buses like Kenya Bus Service, they attend local trade shows and are often seen online on websites.

Unleashed creativity

The success of the Muslim women group can be seen from the documented photographs and the archives kept in their houses. They have further ventured in artistic work by making picture frames decorations and drawings. “We melt old plastics, smear the hot liquid on the fibre board and stick things like beans in a creative way to make it attractive. Sometimes we draw and sell the pictures,” says Kadar Abubakar.

The only major challenge the group has had is lack of enough machines for crocheting, a good market and enough personnel. “We can have a big order like for 60 to 100 bags but since we are few, meeting the deadline can be challenging,” asserts Amina Abdallah.

According Kadar Abubakar, the project has also unleashed their creative and artistic potential. “Some of us never knew we could draw or come up with creative products. We may be old but we are also creative.”

These women’s hope is to have a penetration into the international market for better sells. Their advice to their fellow Muslim women and girls is to get together and find a way of helping themselves financially. “The determination, commitment, and patience one has in his or her work results in success. Let us not resort to begging and being choosy with work,” concludes Zena Haile.

Source- The NewDawn.