Nubians celebrate rich culture at Bomas

It was all colour and pomp when two Nubian Cultural Ambassadors were unveiled in the Bomas of Kenya recently.

Koor Osman, a Kibera businessman, was named the male Nubian ambassador while Siyama Ismale was selected as his female counterpart during an event to mark the Nubian Cultural day.

Many said the event is significant because even after making Kenya their home, they still are treated as outsiders.

“At last the government has recognised us. We now feel proud to be Nubians with a place in Kenyan society,” said Mr Osman.

The two were taxed with the duty of promoting Nubian culture both locally and globally. They will expound on Nubian traditions, art , cuisine , fashion and other cultural aspects.

The Nubian community in Kenya is slightly over 100,000.

HISTORY OF NUBIANS IN KENYA

The first Nubians were brought to Kenya by British soldiers from the Nuba Mountains of Sudan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

They served as soldiers and servants with some choosing to remain after the struggle was over.

They formed a large part of Kings African Rifles and fought on the British side in both world wars.

Osman and Siyama beat seven other contestants. They were well versed on the various aspects of Nubian culture and traditions.

Osman chose to talk about the attire of Nubian leaders, explaining the meaning and significance of every item of clothing and ornaments. He was very clear and informed on his subjects.

Musatafa Mahmood took the catwalk dressed as a medicine man along with his implements of trade. Adbu Aziz Abubakar displayed the attire of a young warrior.

Siyama, the winner in the women category, explained articulately many items of Nubian women dressing. She showed the clothes worn while performing everyday house chores, and for ceremonial occasions.

Osman has been promoting the cultural events, by organising traditional dances and other social events for the Nubians. His forefathers first settled in Eldama Ravine in 1891 before moving to Kibra (Nubian for bushy area) in 1904.

He says the community has done well to maintain their culture.


Neema Mohammed, Fatma Mohammed and Mariam Yusuf display Nubian Traditional plate during the Nubian Cultural Festival at the Bomas of Kenya on September 28, 2013. Photo/ANTHON Y NJAGI 

CULTURAL AMBASSADORS

Siyama is a social worker in Kibera and works as a volunteer with Community Housing, an American NGO, under the Tunaweza programme.

“As a cultural ambassador, I will promote women and the youth issues,’’ she said.

“We thank the Kenyan government for finally recognising us and our culture because a people’s culture is an integral part of their identity,’’ she added.

The two join others who have been identified by Bomas of Kenya as ambassadors for the Meru, Iteso, Taita and Taveta, Turkana, Samburu and Mijikenya communities.

The programme to identify ambassadors and celebrate various communities continues according to Bomas of Kenya General Manger Mr Quresh Ahmed.

During the event, members of the community gathered to celebrate their culture, traditions and art.

Foods, musical instruments farming tools, clothing and ornaments unique to the Nubian community were also on display. Nubian women traditionally dress in colourful, flowing dresses, which resemble Indian saris.

There was also a very insightful picture exhibition about the history of Nubians in Kenya.

Ranging from a shot of a 100 years, Nubians house still standing in Kibera, the gallery included shots of Nubians in the Kings African Rifles and their people in Kibera through the years.

Also unveiled in the Bomas event was a multi-windowed Nubian traditional hut. According to Bomas general manager Quresh Ahmed, the unveiling of the hut is an indication that Nubians are part of Kenya.

Story by ANTHONY NJAGI

SOURCE - http://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/lifestyle/Nubians-celebrate-rich-culture-at-Bomas/-/1214/2029480/-/m8gro2z/-/index.html