AUTHOR'S POV
A DAY TO THE NIKKAH
KAMU

Kamu is a ceremony that takes place before the Nikkah (wedding) in some African cultures, particularly in the Hausa and Fulani communities. It's a celebration where the bride's friends and family gather to sing, dance, and offer words of encouragement and advice to the bride-to-be. The Kamu is a significant event that marks the beginning of the wedding celebrations and is often filled with joy, laughter, and emotional moments.The grand hall was transformed into a vibrant oasis, radiating warmth and joy. Intricately designed tapestries adorned the walls, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the community. The floor was covered with a majestic carpet, its colors and patterns woven with precision and care. The air was filled with the sweet scent of incense and the soft glow of lanterns, casting a warm ambiance

At the center of the hall, a beautifully decorated dais stood, where Ihsan, the bride-to-be, sat gracefully, surrounded by her friends and family. Her friends wore matching atampa, their vibrant colors and intricate designs creating a stunning visual display. The atampa were adorned with delicate embroidery, shimmering threads, and subtle sequins, reflecting the beauty and elegance of the occasion

The room was filled with the sound of laughter, chatter, and the soft strumming of traditional instruments. The atmosphere was electric, as the women gathered to celebrate Ihsan's journey to marriage. The Kamu ceremony was a time-honored tradition, and this exquisite setting was a testament to the importance of this occasion

As the ceremony began, the women raised their voices in joyful songs and poems, their words of wisdom and encouragement filling the air. Ihsan's face beamed with happiness, her eyes shining with tears of joy, as she basked in the love of her friends and family

Ihsan,wore a breathtaking outfit that exuded elegance and sophistication. Her attire was a masterful blend of traditional and modern elements, showcasing the beauty of her cultural heritage. The lilac and ash-colored lace was expertly sewn into a stunning blouse and skirt, creating a truly regal appearance.The blouse was a work of art, with intricate lace patterns that seemed to dance across the fabric. The lilac hue was subtle yet striking, complementing Ihsan's radiant skin tone. The sleeves were long and flowing, with delicate cuffs that added a touch of whimsy,the skirt was a majestic complement to the blouse, falling in soft folds to the floor. The ash-colored lace added a subtle contrast to the lilac, creating a mesmerizing ombre effect. The skirt's delicate layers seemed to shimmer in the light, as if infused with an ethereal glow

"Ihsan, you look stunning! That lilac and ash lace is everything!" Amal exclaimed snapping a few pics of Ihsan

"Thanks, Amal! I feel like a queen" Ihsan chuckled

"You are a queen, Ihsan! Our queen of beauty and grace" Sadiya said dramatically

"You've waited so long for this moment" Khadija smiled also clicking a few pictures of the bride to be

"It was worth the wait, trust me. I'm so grateful to have all of you by my side" Ihsan smiled her eyes getting a bit misty

"We wouldn't miss this for the world! We're your ride or dies, Ihsan" Afreen said wrapping her arms around Ihsan

"And we're so excited to see you start this new chapter with your soulmate" Hanan smiled taking a hold of her hand

"Who's going to be the next to get married among us?" Fadila asked looking at girls

"I think it should be me! I'm ready for a husband!" Hadiza replied playfully making then laugh

"Hadiza, you're always ready for a party!" Iman said nudging Hadiza

"Ihsan you are so lucky, Ya Abba loves you so much, he is truly one of a kind" Fatima, the quietest girl back then in school said

"Yes, we've seen how he looks at you...it's like you're the only person in the world!" Sadiya said wiggling her brows

"And we know he's been waiting for this moment for so long...he's going to make sure your wedding night is unforgettable!" Amal teased also wiggling her brows

"Amal, stop it!" Ihsan blushed picking on her nails

"We can't wait to hear all about the wedding night...in detail!" Hanan also joined in giggling mischievously

"You guys are something else! I'm not going to give you any details, so just stop asking!" Ihsan chuckled swatting Hanan's arm

"Aww, come on, Ihsan! Just give us a little hint...it will be a night to remember right?" Fadila teased winking

"Fadila, when did you become like this! I don't know" Ihsan laughed glaring at her friend

As her husband-to-be's aunt approached the dais they stopped their banter, Amal and the girls stood up, forming a playful barricade around Ihsan. With a mischievous grin, Amal declared, "You can't unveil our queen without paying the price!"

Anty hajara smiled, knowing the tradition. "Ah, my dear friends, I'm prepared to negotiate. Name your price!"

Sadiya chimed in, "We want a goat, a bag of rice, and a box of chocolates!"

Khadija added, "And a promise to take Ihsan on a romantic getaway!"

Afreen joked, "And a guarantee that he'll do the dishes for a month!"

The aunties laughed, "You drive a hard bargain, my friends! But I think we can manage that"

The girls playfully argued and haggled, enjoying the lighthearted banter. Finally, they agreed on a price, and anty hajara handed over an imaginary " payment" with a smile

"Okay, aunties, we've agreed on a price. But before we unveil our queen, we need to reveal the real amount..." Amal said folding her arms

"It's not just a goat and some rice, aunties, see as she fine oo!" Sadiya said gesturing towards Ihsan

"We're talking serious cash here!" Khadija smiled rubbing her palms together

"One million dollars, to be exact!" Afreen said cutting to chase

"Whoa, that's a bit steep, don't you think? How about we say... $500,000?" Anty hamida said in a serious tone

"No way! We're not budging from $1 million!" Amal also said in a serious tone

"Okay, okay... I see you girls are serious. But can I at least pay with a cheque?" Anty hajara smiled agreeing

"Yupp" Hanan said popping the 'p'

"Alright, alright... here you go!" Anty hajara hands over a certified cheque for $1 million, and the girls cheer and unveil Ihsan, the aunties complimented her and welcomed her to the family,gave her a small box and then left

A few minutes later the doors to the hall burst open and a procession of men, led by the groom-to-be, walks in. The room falls silent as all eyes turn to the entrance

Ya Abba, resplendent in an ash-colored kaftan sewn into a flowing 'babban riga', looks majestic and regal. His jet black curly hair is adorned with a intricately designed zanna bukar, perched atop his head like a crown. His eyes scan the room, locking onto Ihsan with a confident smile

Ihsan, her face flushing with modesty, casts her eyes downward, her lashes fluttering shyly. She can't bring herself to meet his gaze, her heart racing with excitement.

"Aww, Ihsan's blushing!" Amal whispered

"Dama kina jin kunya? (So you use to get shy?)" Sadiya asked giggling

"That's so cute! He's got her heart skipping beats!" Khadija said placing her hand on her chest dramatically

"And we know he'll take good care of that heart!" Afreen smiled wiping her fake tears

Ya Abba approaches Ihsan, his smile gentle and reassuring. He reaches out a hand, and Ihsan hesitantly takes it, her eyes still cast downward. The room erupts into cheers and applause as the two stand together, their hands entwined

"You're my Jannah on earth, Ihsan. My heaven is in your eyes" Ya whispered softly

Ihsan blushes, her heart skipping a beat

He smiles, his eyes shining with love, liking the way she is acting "We're created for each other, Ihsan. Just like the Ayyah says: 'And we have created you in pairs' (Quran 78:8). Our love is a blessing from Allah"

Ihsan's eyes well up with tears of joy, the two share a tender glance, their love blessed by the beautiful words of the Quran. They know that their Nikkah will soon be tied, and they'll be united in a beautiful bond, In sha Allah

Ihsan and Ya Abba will make their way to the beautifully decorated seats reserved for them, surrounded by their loved ones. They'll sit down, holding hands, and gaze into each other's eyes, beaming with happiness

Amal, Sadiya and Hanan, approach Ihsan grinning mischievously. "Come on, Ihsan, just one dance!" Amal pleads, tugging on her arm.

Ihsan blushes, hesitant. "No, no, I don't think so..."

Sadiya joins in, "Ah, come on! It's your special day! You have to dance with us!"

"Don't be shy, Ya Abba won't mind! He'll even join us!" Hanan said gazing at her cousin brother

Ihsan giggles, her resistance weakening. "Okay, okay... but just one dance!"

Her friends cheer, and with a collective whoop, they drag her onto the dance floor, laughing and dancing together!

As "On the Low" by Burna Boy fills the air, Ihsan's dance moves become even more dynamic

Kpokpotikpo kpo kpo kpo
Baby your love dey high me like choko
Kpokpotikpo kpo kpo kpo

Ihsan moves her hips in a circular motion, her arms extended, fingers waving, all her sanity has flown out of the window the moment she heard her favorite song

Baby your love dey high me like choko, yeah
Kpokpotikpo kpo kpo kpo
Baby your love dey high me like choko (baby, I'm riding)
Kpokpotikpo kpo kpo kpo (fighting, yeah)

She twirls, her friends cheering her on "Ihsan, Ihsan, pepper them!"

Her feet stomp the floor, her knees slightly bent, as she bobs her head

Angeli, Angelina, you dey cool my temperature
If you call, I go come deliver
I no go fall e your hand, never

The girls hype her up, chanting:
"Go, Ihsan, go! Dance, queen, dance!"

With each beat, her movements become more fluid, her confidence soaring

Say na me you go love forever
I'm a khaki, no fit be leather

She spins, her friends joining in, their laughter and shouts merging with the music

Oh my Angeli, Angelina
Oh my Angeli, Angelina
Oh mi o da oh

"Ihsan, you're on fire!"

Anytime wey I see you for the club, I dey television your body
Shey you no know say the thing wey you carry fit kill somebody

The dance floor is now a vibrant spectacle, Ihsan and her friends lost in the joy of the moment, their energy and enthusiasm electrifying the atmosphere

Ihsan's  body moving in perfect harmony with the beat

You know I feel a vibe, you feel a vibe, so baby whine it pon me
Yeah, and I know you shy but it's cool when we're making love

She sways her hips, her arms waving like a ribbon, her friends dancing alongside her

On the low
On the low
On the low

Amal and Sadiya spin around her, their hands on her shoulders, their laughter echoing through the room:

"Ihsan, you're killing it! Keep dancing, queen!"

Khadija and Afreen join in, the six friends forming a circle, their movements synchronized

On the low
On the low
On the low

Ihsan twirls, her friends mirroring her moves.The dance floor is a whirlwind of color and movement, the friends' joy and laughter infectious, as they celebrate Ihsan's special day with abandon and glee

"Abba, see as your just dey shine on the dance floor!" Sadiq said nudging Ya Abba playfully

Ya Abba's face lights up with a mix of pride and mock jealousy, his eyes fixed on Ihsan's radiant smile and graceful dance moves

"You better keep an eye on her"Abdallah said taking a sip of his drink

Ya Abba's expression turns playful, a hint of pretend possessiveness creeping in

"Oh, I think it's time I reclaim my bride! She's mine, after all!" With a grin, he strides onto the dance floor, sweeps Ihsan into his arms, and whisks her away from the cheering crowd, back to their seats, amidst laughter and applause

"Aww, Ya Abba, you're ruining my fun! Just one more dance, please?"

Ya Abba chuckles, his eyes shining with amusement, and pulls her close"Later, my love. I can't handle all these men admiring my beautiful wife. You're mine, and I'm keeping you close!"

Ihsan giggles, her friends cheering and teasing her, as Ya Abba guides her back to their seats, his arm wrapped possessively around her waist

The groomsmen and the bridesmaids face off in the middle of the dance floor, grinning at each other with playful confidence. The music starts, and they launch into an energetic dance battle, each side trying to outdo the other

The groomsmen bust out impressive moves, spinning and flipping to the beat. But the bridesmaids are not to be underestimated! They match the groomsmen's energy, adding in sassy hip swivels

The crowd cheers and chants, egging them on. Ihsan and Ya Abba watch with huge smiles, laughing and cheering on their friends

The music reaches a crescendo, and the dance floor is a whirlwind of movement. One by one, the groomsmen and bridesmaids are eliminated, their friends cheering and high-fiving them as they exit the dance floor

In the end, only two remain: Amal and Abdallah, the groom's best friend,they face off, their eyes locked in a playful challenge

The music starts again, and they launch into an epic dance battle. Amal spins and twirls, her moves sharp and precise. Abdallah matches her step for step, his energy and charisma electrifying the crowd

Ihsan and Ya Abba watch with huge grins, their friends' competitive spirits and friendship shining brighter than ever. The crowd goes wild, cheering and chanting their names

Amal's dance move is a sultry, jaw-dropping spectacle!She starts with a slow, sensual undulation of her hips, her body moving in a figure-eight pattern. Her arms extend, her hands tracing circles in the air, as if drawing attention to her hypnotic movements.

Her hips swivel and rotate, her pelvis tilting upward, then downward, in a provocative, tantalizing rhythm. Her feet stomp the floor, her knees slightly bent, emphasizing the fluid, almost feline movement of her body.

Her facial expression is a masterclass in seduction – her eyes gleam with a knowing intensity, her lips curl into a sly, inviting smile, her eyebrows arching upward as she loses herself in the music,her dark skin glows with a radiant, luminous sheen, her features illuminated by the flashing lights of the dance floor

The crowd is entranced, mesmerized by her raw energy and unbridled passion. Abdallah's eyes are glued to her, his mouth agape, as he surrenders to the spectacle of her dance

Abdallah's eyes are fixed on Amal, his gaze filled with awe. He places his hands on his chest, his fingers splayed wide, His lips curl into a sly smile, and he licks them, savoring the moment

With a flourish, he starts spraying money on Amal, the bills fluttering around her like confetti. The crowd goes wild, cheering and whistling, as Amal continues to dance with effortless grace and precision

Ya Abba laughed "you two are something else wallahi"

"Amal ama keh yar iska ce" Ihsan laughed swatting Amal's shoulder

"Don't forget you taught me that those dance moves" Amal said making ihsan laugh embarrassedly remembering the day

"Oh really" Ya Abba asked raising a brow with a mischievous smile