• Nubian Proverb: Fenti Totan Agneta
  Arabic Equivalent: The palm tree belongs to the one sitting under it.
• Nubian Proverb: Ay Ek Monless Ek Zilman
  Arabic Equivalent: A heart that does not love will hate you.
• Nubian Proverb: Mirketen Ay Dukkafi
  Arabic Equivalent: The thief’s heart is torn (meaning the thief is always afraid).
• Nubian Proverb: Arn Kabi Kyi Dasa
  Arabic Equivalent: The tree that is eaten is green.
  (This proverb is said about a divorced woman.)

Song Lyrics:

Wawa Baba
Ya Abi
Eja Annjan Aska Adeejitmi
Don’t force me to marry your niece
En Witola Eja Hokomatmi
On this matter, do not judge me
Adamin Banjida Arha Damona
No peace in the words of people
Bashir Ollerih
If I wear torn clothes
Shadda Galbani Ejadin Ayja
They call me poor
Mukwa Lepsouli
If I wear fine clothes
Siddaton Fedwa Eja Dinan Ayja
They ask where I begged for this

Nujla Tijole
If I stay at home
Shadu Fumonayi Ejadin
They say I never leave my house
Shadu Farayih
If I go out
Nujla Tijemonayi Ejadin Ayja
They say I never find peace in my house
Yanas Norka Jajmanu
People, fear God
Kalam Anasok Mujmanu
Leave the gossip and backbiting
Kalam Anas Haramani
Backbiting is forbidden
Dunya Askatamalloni
We are all guests in this world
Adman Waladammalloni
We are all children of Adam
Judon Askidammalloni
We are all from the earth’s dust

Asmar Alona
In the black village, a mother is waiting
Kloutanljon Bley We Dana
In the seaside village, a wedding is taking place
Samral Unnoka Barktar
The black woman went to congratulate her mother
Jotti Tanjun Olloosa
And filled her jugs with water
Kriy Bling Okina
And returned to carry gifts to the wedding

Water Contract Ritual: A dish of fatta is prepared by the bride’s mother and carried by a woman to the river accompanied by girls and children. They eat by the shore and throw the leftovers into the river to the river angels. The dish is filled with Nile water and returned home, where an elderly female relative of the bride enters the house. She fills her hands with water three times, pouring it over the bride’s head, each time saying, “Be wise… Be like so-and-so,” naming a woman known for her wisdom.

Ashura Night: On the night of Ashura (the 10th day of Muharram), people head to the river at sunset holding old water wheel ropes set alight at the ends. They throw them in the river, creating circles of fire while singing. Then they share food on the riverbank with the river angels, throwing some of the food into the river for them.

Water Sign: After the Fajr prayer, women sprinkle water in three directions in front of their house doors: one line to the right, another to the left, and a third in the center. This signals to passersby or neighbors that the household is well. If only two directions are used, it signals that something is wrong, but assistance may be given after sunrise. If sprinkled in only one direction, it signals an urgent matter needing immediate help.

Meals: Main meals include:

• Breakfast: Such as Maddid (various types)
• Lunch: Such as Itr (various types) and fish Turkin
• Dinner: Such as Aslan Kabad and Nwen Kabad, with noodles suitable for all meals.

Knowledge and Practices Related to Nature and the Universe:

• Helfa Plant:
  Boiled Helfa herbs are used to treat kidney disorders and help dissolve stones. It also helps lower fevers, especially in cases of malaria, and assists women during menstruation. A mix of Helfa and Harjal herbs is used to treat colic.
• Acacia Powder:
  Acacia powder is used as incense, and the scent of the tree’s flowers is believed to cure chest diseases and asthma. The bark of the acacia tree, when ground, is used in tanning leather.
• Artemisia Powder:
  Artemisia powder is used before sleep for similar purposes and to repel snakes and scorpions from the home by placing it in corners.
• Onion Poultice:
  • For whooping cough: Place the poultice on the chest.
  • For urinary retention: Place the poultice over the kidneys or bladder.
  • For boils: Place the poultice on the boils to help them open and drain.
• Sorcery:
  Nubians are wary of sorcery affecting themselves and their possessions. They try to shield their achievements from envious eyes, especially from relatives. If this is not possible, they put something on the object to divert attention. Sorcery is believed to be treated by the Faqir (a healer) using strands of the sorcerer’s hair as incense for the afflicted.
• Envy:
  To ward off envy, they write Quranic verses on the outside of their homes such as “From the evil of the envious when he envies.” A child’s shoe is hung on the door to distract the “evil eye.” After slaughtering a sheep, the spleen is placed on the wall to protect from envy.

Skills Related to Traditional Crafts:

• Nubian Architecture:
  In southern Nubia, walls are built with clay. The first row of foundation is placed about 40 cm high and 50 cm wide. After a week, the next row is added in the same manner until the eighth row. Then, palm trunks are placed to support the roof, followed by the ninth row.
• Asan:
  A hand tool known as Asan (or Issan) is used in traditional crafts to create holes in the material. It consists of a wooden handle and a metal spike.
• Saqiya (Water Wheel):
  Every part of the water wheel is made from acacia or tamarisk wood, chosen for its durability and resistance to water and sunlight. Parts are tied together with cowhide strips, and ropes made from palm leaves are used for components exposed to water, such as the wheel.
• Saqiya Structure:
  The large and small saqiyas are identical in form and function but differ in size and the number of water buckets.
• Saqiya Tools:
  Tools used in making a saqiya include axes, saws, chisels, hammers, and knives.
• Dio:
  The Dio is used to maintain the balance of the large wheel shaft in a water wheel, constructed from sturdy materials like acacia or palm tree trunks.
• Taqiya (Cap):
  The cap is made from brightly colored threads and crocheted into different sizes, depending on whether it’s for children, boys, or men.
• Handmade Brooms:
  Brooms are made from palm fibers and dyed in green, red, and purple. They were traditionally used for sweeping clay floors.

Performing Arts and Traditions:

• High Jump Game (Warjikeh):
  Two players set a height with their feet, and a third player attempts to jump over it. If successful, the height is raised, and the players exchange roles.
• Kaf Dance:
  Performed to the beat of the Holi Holi rhythm. It may also be called Tarbala, referring to the way participants bounce during the dance.
• Kro Dance:
  A dance performed to the beat of the Safsafi rhythm, involving swordplay. Women do not participate in this dance, which has a more martial flair, with men performing with swords and shields.
• Blaja Dance (Delou’a) & Firi Dance (Quail Bird Dance):
  These dances share similar steps, with young girls performing rapid movements in a circular formation.
• Arajid Dance:
  A dance performed by both men and women, where dancers form a circle and move forward and backward, swaying to the left and right with hands interlocked.

Musical Instruments:
Traditionally, Nubian dances were accompanied by percussion instruments such as the Nagara and Tar or Def, with the occasional use of Tambur (a stringed instrument). In modern times, instruments like the Org (keyboard) have become more prevalent in wedding celebrations.

Dance Occasions:
Traditional dances are performed during special events such as Henna nights, weddings, harvest celebrations, Nile floods, female circumcision, and birth celebrations. In modern times, dance mainly occurs during weddings and related rituals.