The word "Sibir" in Nuba languages means joy, festival, celebration and sometimes is associated with the practices of the Kujur (rainmaker). It is a ceremony which is a most common tradition practiced in various parts of the Nuba Mountains. It usually comes at the end of the harvest season. There are more than twenty different Sibirs and ceremonies in the Mountains which are performed in different styles from one part of the Nuba Mountains to another, depending on each individual Kujur’s way of doing things.
In previous issues we published articles on the "Sibir" itself and on "The Fire Sibir" and in this issue we are going to talk about another: the ‘Sibir al-Bukhosa’
Sibir al-Bukhosa is one of the most important Sibirs in Kagolo, which is performed annually after the harvest to show that it was a success. It also know during the bad season when there a poor harvest the Kujur declare the cancellation of the Sibir for the fear that people will not be able to welcome their guests who usually come from the neighbouring villages.
The name Sibir al-Bukhosa comes from the Bukhosa dance which is performed at this Sibir. Buskhosa itself is made of the outer shell of dried gourd. This is made to form a musical instrument that looks like a twisted horn. Different sizes and shapes give an electrifying musical sound for people to dance to. This Bukhosa dance is usually performed in the areas of Morta (north Kadugli), Damba, Korongo Abdel-Allah, Katcha, Tuna and Abu-Hasheim.
The Bukhosa season begins immediately after the harvest of the crops from small farms which are usually established near homes and villages. These small farms usually cultivate light crops which are harvested in September and October.
Before Sibir al-Bukhosa takes place there is the Sibir al-Naar (Fire Sibir) which starts in October as people burn the stubble after harvest. The dance continues until the big Sibir when the crops from the bigger farms have been collected in December.
Usually the Big Kujur (rain-maker) tells people when to start preparing for the big Sibir. He will climb up to the top of a hill to announce the start of Sibir al-Bukhosa. Every time he wants to make announcement he climbs the hill. For example, he will climb to tell the women to start grinding sorghum, collect wood and make "Marisa" (local beer). When everything is ready the Kujur will climb up to light a fire made of a huge bundle of sorghum stems, raising it high for people from other villages to know that Sibir al-Bukhosa has began.
In this occasion women and particularly girls decorate themselves and put on the best dress they have. On that day people begin dancing to Bukhosa music all night until morning and the people from the neighbouring villages join them in celebration. The atmosphere is electric and full of joy and happiness. The next day people go to their farm to bring bundles of el-Korgi (sorghum). Its seeds will be cooked with sesame during the whole time of the celebrations to give to people something to eat alongside the huge quantities of ‘marisa’ they consume.
The Kujur and his assistants will then go round the people and splash water over their heads and welcome them to the celebration and worn them not to fight each other during the Sibir celebration. Anybody who fight during this celebration will face severe punishment.