The Brides of the Nile, Atif Aniess and Taheya Zarouk: A memorable evening in Toronto

By Mohamed Khaled

The celebration of the Sudanese Women Union in Toronto
was a unique night of Sudanese women performance.

The Brides gave us a big surprise, but most important
they offered an example of how creative and competent
are our Sudanese females. From the very beginning they
were able to capture the audience attention and
communicate a message that something unusual is taking
place on the stage. Non of the audience took a breath
through out the performance which so smoothly toured
all regions of Sudan and linked up our heritage,
presence and future aspirations. While performing, the
Brides were typically seeking challenges and taking
all kinds of risks which thew all of us into an
incredible situation of excite and ... confusion!
I was surprised of their ability to attract the
children's attention, who had a considerable presence
in the event and usually take the advantage of such
events to play in the side halls and corridoors.
Unlike other events, this time the Brides were able to
say, in their own language, something to the kids who
suddenly gave up playing and crowded in front of the
stage in deep silence with their eyes fixed on the
Brides! Next morning, my three years old daughter was
repeating most of the dance.
The valuable present of the event was the appearance
of Taheya Zaroog who was among the honored guests of
the event and was awarded by SWU in Toronto as one of
Sudanese women pioneers in the field of theatre.
Taheya had a joint theatre performance with Tamador
who was able to convince her to make it. Having warmed
up, Taheya appeared again on the stage in an
individual performance. At this point, I should say my
words remain disabled to describe what has happened.
Being away from the stage and her Sudanese audience
for several years, Taheya acted in a way, I believe,
she never did before! The audience response was beyond
immagination. It was enough to run Taheya tears which
found their way to mix with many of the audience's who
crowded to receive her as she was stepping down from
the stage. It was a full of meanings moment which
stimulated more and more of Taheya tears!

Another surprise was Atef Anis. The guy is just
wonderful! Together with the Brides, Tamador and
Taheya, he represented another unique feature that
added to the event's flever and placed it as Toronto's
most unique event. Though not known before to the
Sudanese community in Canada, he managed to tell them
from the first moment who is he! Eventually, he gained
their unlimited love, started pulling the audience one
by one from their chairs and ended with all of them
standing, clapping, dancing and sharing his singing
azza, falaq alsabah and ya matar iz alhareeg! I can
confidently say Atef has perfectly setablished himself
among the Sudanese community in Canada and become part
of it.

Well, I guess that may be enough to give you some of
the event's features though there is still a lot to
say especially the audience comments which I may post
in due course. The event will be aired by CFMT TV, one
of the major Canadian TV chanels on Sunday March 24
between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Toronto time.

However, let me tell you that we have a valuable
treasure named Tamador and not forget of course her
wonderful brides Sarah, Serien and Nahid! Let us join
hands in their support as they are speaking out our
minds and have gained the courage to take the
responsibility of doing a great work which every
Sudanese should be proud of.

The members of SWU in Toronto are wonderful great
ladies of different ages and backgrounds who have
worked hard for several months to produce an excellent
work. They have undoubtedly succeeded in introducing
themselves as a poweful force to the Canadian society
and other communities.

ياخواجة كوستا

تحية زروق بت حلتنا..وسبق لها أن أدخلت أحد الفرنسيين الإسلام (زوجها الأول)..شكرا يا كوستا على إفادتنا عن أخبارها

It is nice to hear from you brother banadeiha. Habitually, I read your postings. Take it from me, you are a talented open-minded person. Keep it going.

Taheya is a genius person. She was/is determined and knew her mission since she was a little girl. She learned how to focus and execute her mission/goal under all obstacles and impediments.
Kostawi

The starting of no end.