When Muhammad and Siama got married in 2011 in an
Islamic cum traditional Nubian wedding ceremony, little did they know that they
would feature in The New Dawn newspaper. Three years later, a copy of the same
hangs in their living room to serve as constant reminder of their wedding vows
By
The New Dawn reporter
It is not every day that you will find framed copy
of The New Dawn’s entertainment magazine-Marhaba Life and Style inside
someone’s living room in full view of visitors who come calling. Well! Muhammad
Gituma Gikunda and Siama Ajabsidu Yusuf-a couple The New Dawn featured in March
2011 on their unique and colourful wedding that was conducted in line with
Islamic teachings as well as in observance of Nubian traditions; have just done
it.
That this neatly framed copy not only evokes
emotional attachment for this couple but also acts a constant remainder of
their wedding ceremony and a check when their marriage encounters trying
moments or misunderstandings; is something that ought to be admired if not
emulated.
Three years down the line after exchanging vows and
now with a child in that union, The New Dawn was humbled by this couple’s
initiative to document and preserve a copy of their wedding.
“Initially, I had thought of filing it but a better
idea come to my mind that I should frame it,” says Muhammad. “Filing the copy
would have exposed it to the elements leading to a fast wear and tear.”
Soon Muhammad with the help of a friend who sells
glass panels was able to actualise his idea of framing the copy. “It cost me
close to KSh2000 to have it framed,” says Muhammad.
By preserving it in between a glass and a plywood
panel, Muhammad was assured that it would last for quite a while. “The glass
and plywood acts as protection from elements such as moisture and dust
environments common in many houses. That is how we have managed to keep the
copy in its original form.”
For visitors coming to Muhammad and Siama house,
they are usually bound to ask questions and this where Muhammad is glad to
explain to them how Islamic wedding are conducted. “Most questions from
visitors are on why Muslim grooms say ‘I do’ in the absence of their bride.”
Many are also keen to know how his wedding ended up being captured in a Muslim
newspaper.
Siama’s friends also strain to look at the framed
copy just to confirm it is her. “They cannot believe it was my wedding that was
publicised on a Muslim newspaper.”
Just to access how this simple copy of Muhammad and
Siama’s wedding has impacted on the rest of the Nubian community, Muhammad says
that it has actually been filed and preserved at the Nubian Cultural Center
among others. “It is a reference point for young Nubian parents, couples or
future generations who are not well versed in Nubian tradition. They can go
through it and get ideas on how to go about their weddings within the confines
of Islamic teachings at the same time in view of Nubian traditions.”
According to Muhammad, social media sites have also
helped draw attention to some of Nubian way of life. “When I posted pictures of
my wedding on Face Book, I got a lot of questions and responses.” Others who
have played a part in highlighting Nubian traditions include the blogspot,
latasabah.blogspot.com, where incidentally you are bound to stumble upon some
of Muhammad and Siama wedding pictures courtesy of The New Dawn.
Interestingly, Muhammad’s brother Hassan Mugambi
Gituma who works at a local TV station as a news anchor did a documentary a
while ago on the life of an ordinary Nubian from birth till death. “So my
wedding ceremony came in to emphasis how a traditional Nubian wedding is
conducted,” adds Muhammad.
What does their three year old kid, Arafa Kendi,
say when she sees the framed copy of her parents’ wedding? “She often asks me
where my colourful wedding gown is and when I shall put it on again,” says
Siama. “I also assure Arafa that when her wedding comes, I will proudly hand
over the same wedding gown to her.”
For Muhammad, little Arafa is used to seeing him
don some of his wedding attire during Muslim Idd festivities and Jumma prayers.
But beside the glamour and colour of their wedding,
Muhammad and Siama confide to The New Dawn the behind the scenes things not
obvious to the ordinary people back then. Actually, at the time of conducting
the wedding, both were jobless. “It may be true that many thought we had a lot
of money to conduct such a wedding but we did not have much,” confides Siama.
According to Muhammad the main driving force was
love. “Nothing can stop love! We loved each other and left our fate in the
hands of Allah knowing very well that He provides rizk (sustenance). Prayer and
perseverance also played a key role.”
Luckily three months after the wedding, Siama got a
job at a local non-governmental organisation as Muhammad continued ‘hustling’
for almost a year and half.
“I recently got a job and I thank Allah for it as
well as for a persevering wife and child. During my days of unemployment, the
framed copy of our wedding was a constant reminder of the vows I had taken
before Allah to stick to my wife through thick and thin,” says Muhammad.
In times of misunderstandings between this couple,
again, the framed copy strategically placed in their living room reminds them
of their good times. “Any marriage has it’s fair share of challenges and ours
in no exception. This framed copy keeps both of us ‘grounded’,” the couple
says.
On a sad note, according Muhammad, Salama
Ibrahim-one of the Res (a role given to a mature person in the family of the
husband-to-be who can be either a male or female) involved in his wedding
passed on three months thereafter. “She was actually like a grandmother and mum
to me. I am grateful for the role she played in my wedding.”
It is also evident that young Nubian women are not
keen in gaining such vital knowledge on Nubian traditions as one with Salama
and Muhammad fears it would be lost as there are no records or documentation of
such knowledge among current Nubians.
On a brighter side, Muhammad and Siama wedding had
an effect among their wedding best men and women. “My Uzir (best man), Habib
Ali, got married thereafter,” says Muhammad. For Siama it was her best maid,
Yasmin Mohammed.
Muhammad and Siama’s parting short to prospective
Muslim couples and especially the youth is not make their weddings an expensive
affair. “Nikah is half of Muslims’ religion so do not fear the marriage
institution. However, make that wedding ceremony simple because there is a life
after that wedding. Do not compare yours’ with others.”
SOURCE ; THE NEW DAWN.
