Untold Stories K24 Presents Nubian Narratives by Hassan Mugambi

Untold Stories K24 Presents Nubian Narratives by Hassan Mugambi.

Part one- http://youtu.be/tWyhbTIIqu0

Part Two- http://youtu.be/0siyqItaTd0

Part Three- http://youtu.be/0Z6_42TV7bI

Nubians in court to block Kibera’s slum upgrading

Members of the Nubian community have blocked the planned slum upgrading and road construction projects in Kibera. They say the projects if allowed to go on will infringe on their constitutional rights on land ownership, adding that the community is faced with the danger losing its land in Kibera. In suit papers filed in a Nairobi court, the Nubians say despite the fact that they have inhabited Kibera for over 150 years, the government has failed to recognise their rights and issue them with title deeds.
They discrimination against the Nubian community has denied them the right to own private property and other benefits. They said their right to own land, which is enshrined in the constitution has been and continues to be violated by government, which has failed to issue them with titles. The consequences of these massive violations of the constitution have led to the community’s disenfranchisement, exclusion and extreme poverty, it is argued.
Shafi Ali Hussein, Khadija Yunis Ali and Fatuma Abdulrahman, who filed the case on behalf of the community says lack of land ownership has caused them to be displaced from their homes without compensation since independence. The government, they said, has always treated squatters on the land and forcibly evicted at will for other developments.
Kenyan Nubians descended from the Nuba Mountains in what is now central Sudan. They were forcibly conscripted into the colonial British army in the early 1900s when Sudan was under British rule. As part of the King’s African Rifles, a British colonial regiment, they were deployed throughout various parts of the then British East African including Kenya.
In 1904 British colonial authorities assigned Kibera to the Nubians to serve as their home. And in their suit papers the Nubians are saying by virtue of their culture and origin they are a marginalised group in Kenya. The government discriminates against them by refusing to provide them with any utilities or public service to Kibera because they are squatters, it is argued. This has left them to live in abject poverty and with little life prospects.

Tuesday, 15 May 2012 23:48 BY JILLO KADIDA  
SOURCE - http://www.the-star.co.ke/national/national/75865-nubians-move-to-halt-kibera-slum-upgrading

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.

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME FOR MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN NON-MEMBER COUNTRIES

SUPREME
COUNCIL OF KENYA
MUSLIMS

UNDERGRADUATE
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME FOR MUSLIM
COMMUNITIES IN NON-MEMBER COUNTRIES

ANNOUNCEMENT

For
Academic Year 1433H (2012-2013)

The Islamic
Development Bank (IDB), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is pleased to announce the availability
of eight (8) Scholarships for undergraduate study under “the IDB Scholarship
Programme for Muslim Communities in Kenya.”

The IDB
Scholarship Programme offers Scholarships to the selected candidates to pursue
undergraduate study in the fields of Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture and
related subjects. The scholarship
covers:-

ü Monthly
stipends
ü Books
& Clothes Allowance
ü Tuition
fees (wherever agreed and apply)
ü Medical
coverage (only through government or state sponsored hospitals)
ü Returned
air-tickets to join study and after
graduation (for students who study abroad only)

Prospective
applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
ü Age
not over 24 years
ü Confirmed
students’ first year admission in approved professional course
ü Holder
of K.C.S.E B+ and above with very good grades in English, Mathematics, Physics,
Chemistry and Biology
ü Financially
needy
ü Committed
Muslim and citizen to serve their community
ü Not
recipient of any other scholarship
ü Must
have National Identification Card

The Scholarship
is an interest-free loan (Qard Hassan) to the students to be repaid after
graduation in easy instalments to IDB Education Trust-Kenya.

Interested
applicants should collect application forms free of cost from:-
Supreme
Council of Kenya Muslims – Nairobi and return them duly filled
with copies of all necessary documents, certificates e.t.c on or before Friday,
20th April 2012 for onward transmission to IDB-Saudi Arabia for
final selection. This exercise is very competitive and transparent.
Canvassing is not allowed.


For further
information please Contact:-

Yusuf W. Murabwa
Executive Officer
Supreme
Council of Kenya Muslims
P.O. Box 45163-00100 - NAIROBI
Tel: 2243109

Muslim women mark International Women’s Day

Harsh economic times are driving many Muslim women out of the comfort of their homes
into small businesses and petty employment to supplement household incomes.

By Ethel Omenda

International women’s day celebrated on March 8 is set to appreciate ordinary women who are striving to make a living through descent means from political, economic and social aspects. This year’s theme: Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures gave women the chance to celebrate
their achievements could not come at a better time.
In an effort to recognize and appreciate
Muslim women achievements in the face of hard economic times the country is
going through, Marhaba interviewed women who are striving to provide for and
supplement their families income through small businesses. These women’s effort
and determination in providing for their families is one of the key issues
highlighted on this day.
Despite being physically challenged, Aisha
Namagembe is one of these woman and she moved from Uganda to Kenya two years
ago. She is a determined woman struggling to provide the best for her children.
She seems to know what the international
women’s day entails but admits she has never celebrated it in Kenya unlike when
she was in Uganda. Due to the escalating inflation in East Africa, Aisha
struggles to rescue her family from poverty.
The 28 year old ventured into the business
of selling snacks near Jamia mosque in Nairobi. She has been selling heena,
mabuyu, achari, coconut, crisps and groundnuts from November last year.
Her snacks sell at between KSh10, 20 to 60.
The expensive of her goods is achale that goes for KSh60. Though she makes a
good profit of about KSh500 to 700 on a good day, the money is not enough for
her to expand her business.
“I provide for my three children aged
between eight and five years from the profits I get. I have not saved enough to
set up a big shop which I desire so much”, explains Aisha.
Having lost her husband at a young age, she
has assumed the role of being the bread winner for her family. She is full of
praise for her friend in Mombasa who introduced her to the business and taught
her the preparation process. Her customers who are men and women and not only
from the Muslim community; are very patient and polite to her.
This mother of three is helped by her
sister Miriam, Aisha is able to meet her customers’ demand which sometimes is
high.
Although she admits business is good so
far, she can’t deny she misses out on the profits on the sunflower which is
also the customers’ favorite. She hardly has enough money saved to make more,
so as to meet the demand.
Corrupt city council officers on patrol
have also hindered her business from prospering. “I cannot run like the others
so I am forced to give them the money to save my goods from being destroyed”,
laments Aisha
She draws her strength from the Quran,
which she says gives her much comfort. Aisha has skills in tailoring and her
hope is to save the little she gets so as to set up a bigger shop back in
Uganda.
The struggle for self employment,
independence and the need to assist in the provision of basic needs have also
driven Farhia Abdi to venture into the business of selling camel milk for the
past five years in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area.
Camel’s milk, mostly cherished by residents
of North Eastern Kenya, and is now enjoying a renaissance in Nairobi. However
inflation has rendered the price of this precious commodity to drastically
shoot up from KSh60 to 120 per litre.
Every day Farhia joins other women sitting
and crowded under the scorching sun at Eastleigh’s fourth street. She has to be
at the bus terminus in the same area from as early as between seven and ten in
the morning to receive her milk orders. The orders for the next day have to be
made by noon the same day and the maximum order is six cans of twenty litres.
The demand for camel milk in the area is
high and she is proud to have educated her children and provided for the family
from the little profits she makes.
“I have two children in class four and five
and I paid their school fees from this business”, she says proudly.
Although Farhia is all smiles and a bit shy
as she speaks to Marhaba, the eloquent Somali speaking lady has seen the good
and the bad sides of her business. She has incurred losses during the recent
clashes in Garissa hence affecting the supply of milk.
The 26 year old orders her milk from North
Eastern province, home to local camel pastoralist. Milk from Garissa, Wajir,
Isiolo and sometimes Nanyuki comes in two forms; fresh and sour.
Farhia asserts that most of her customers
prefer camel milk from Isiolo. The milk can then be refrigerated or boiled to
preserve it for up to two weeks.
In comparison to cow milk whose price is
slightly lower than camel milk, the cost goes for KSh60 and 120 for half and
one litre respectively. The price for sour milk is KSh50 to 100 for half and
one litre. However, sour milk is not her customer’s favorite hence she incurs
looses at times, explains Farhia.
The transport cost for the bus transporting
a 20 litres can from Northeastern to Nairobi is KSh100 per can.
Farhia agrees that the business is at times
competitive but she gives thanks to her religious values. “I do not become
jealous whenever consumers do not buy my milk. Allah (God) is the one who
provides.”
Camel milk is well suited for the
production of cheese because of its salty taste. There are beliefs that the
milk contains antibodies which may help to fight against serious diseases like
cancer, Alzheimer’s and hepatitis B.
“Itprovides an alternative for those allergic to cow milk. Camel’s milk, is rich
in taste, must be taken slowly to allow the stomach to digest. It increases
immunity in humans due to its high concentration of insulin,” confirms Farhia.
Nestaha Ahmed Abdi, a single mother is a
proud owner of a middle class cafe in Eastleigh. Her café popularly known as
Hotel Nestani has been a food parlor since 2003.
The starting of her business was fuelled by the need to be financially independent
so as to cater for her children. Nestaha has two children in classes seven and
two respectively. Her business has enabled her to pay school fees for her
children who are enrolled at Wisdom Academy a private school in Eastleigh.
Nestaha’s business is demanding and she has
to wake up early to prepare for the day. It is due to this reason that she did
not take time to celebrate the International Women’s Day. “I am aware of the day but I have to monitor
everyday’s progress and help in serving my customers at times”, explains
Nestaha.
The 27 year old major contribution to the society is creating employment opportunities one of the agendas that were
marked on this day. As the world mark this day, she is proud to having offered
employment to three workers.
Her determination to provide the best for her family can be read from her face as she speaks. “God has given me good
health and I am not disabled, so why can’t I strive to bring out the best in
me. However small it is its better off than begging”, says Nestaha.
Her nine years experience in the hotel
business has been a success. She has not experienced any major problems. “I
have complied with the requirements of the City Council,” states Nestaha.
Her message to the Muslims women is to find
better ways of helping themselves and not wait for their husbands to provide or
beg for money on the streets.
Aisha, Farhia and Nestaha are a source of
inspiration to fellow Muslim women who are determined to make ends meet in
life. As Kenyans celebrate the international women’s day these women pose a
challenge to their fellow Muslim women to help save their families from
poverty.
Meanwhile, Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance
gender department too celebrated the International women’s day that brought
together women from Kibera and Kawangware constituencies. The meeting gave
women insight on the importance of celebrating women’s achievements, how to
identify good leaders, children’s rights, and gender based violence and women
gains in the New Constitution. The meeting also gave upcoming women aspirants
to the forthcoming general elections an opportunity to market their manifestos
to fellow women as well as seek support.

What Muslims think of the International Women Day
“Empowerment is needed to further enlighten
women on various issues.” Kaltima Sebit, 33, Businesswoman.

“A women’s
place in the family setup should not be under rated. Issues of oppression need
to be addressed.” Amina Barakat, 30, Tailor.

“Gains in the
constitution will benefit everyone in the community and not just women.”
Virginia
Nduta, Prog. Coordinator, WEL.

“I know what
the day entails but I will not celebrate it because I don’t see most women
interested in celebrating it.”Aisha Mohammed, 47, Business woman.

SOURCE The New Dawn.

50 cents in Kibra

Watch 50 Cents somalia and Kenya-Kibra tour

http://youtu.be/-Cm7JQh6b9Y