AL NOOR CITY

AL NOOR CITY

Al Noor City is located in the south-west of Sudan’s capital city Khartoum, on the west bank of the White Nile, just a few kilometers before it seamlessly blends with the Blue Nile and continues its journey north to the Mediterranean.

The idyllic location of Al Noor City borders the Nile for 46km, promising a riverside location for virtually all residents, and offering over 137 million square meters of commercial, residential and leisure facilities. Universities, schools, shops, restaurants, sporting amenities, and a variety of health facilities ensure Al Noor City is a truly cosmopolitan environment, offering something for everyone.

A kaleidoscope of zones have been designed, each one with a different function. Specific business areas are defined, as are residential and retail areas, hotels and entertainment venues, all promising the ultimate convenience. Residential areas are protected from traffic by noise-limiting ‘green belts’, and with landscaping representing 40% of the development, lush-green areas are abundant.

The City is conveniently located just 10km from Khartoum international airport, and only 5km from the planned new airport on the western bank. A comprehensive road network will link the development with the local cities of Omduran, Bahri and Khartoum, and with two new bridges to the East Bank of the Nile.

Project website:
http://grand-holds.com/index.htm

Main Contractors:

Grand Investment Holdings

Grand Investment Holdings is a leading expertise Sudanese company dealing in constructions, Residential complexes and buildings , our mission is to serve customers with quality construction services, Grand's collaborative team working as one part develop, design, and construct each project equipped with huge capabilities . The company staff of engineers, consultants is competent and high skilled cadres to ensure offering distinctive services all over Sudan , considering environment & Health as main targets. In a unique deal with the Kuwaiti Real State Greater Scheme undertakes the execution of ALNOOR City Project. This project consider to be as one of its kind in Sudan which witnesses nowadays an spectacular growth in buildings & construction arena ,for this Grand Investment Holding CO-LTD with complete agreement with the Ministry of Public Planning and Utilities - Khartoum State double the efforts to made ALNOOR scheme a real

Grand Realstate Projects Co.


Khartoum Council- ministry of Construction planning and public utilities

AISO architecture


International Projects Consultory Co.

BUSUUTI THE GOMESI - BUGANDAN IDENTITY

Busuuti/Gomesi aka gomes is the official dress for women in Buganda. The busuuti/gomesi is very elaborate, with a square neck adorned with two buttons, pointy sleeves, full skirt, and a huge sash. There are many historical contradictions about the origin of the busuuti/gomesi. Contemporary history indicates that the it was originally made for Gayaza schoolgirls in around 1940s and 50s. Their first school uniform was a cotton sheet, which they wrapped around their breasts and tied to the waist with a strip of cloth. But the uniform often slipped off whenever the girls bent down to dig. Their missionary tutors thought it was indecent for a woman to expose her breasts. So, they had an Indian tailor sew out the busuuti/gomesi. Two decades later, the gomesi became a popular outfit at all traditional functions for the Baganda and later the Basoga, Iteso, Alur and Japadhola.

But some people, especially the Baganda, dispute this version of history and say the busuuti/gomesi existed long before the coming of the missionaries and that missionaries only improved the existing design made from bark cloth and changed the name to claim the discovery.

The women of the groom's clan line up for the procession

The men of the groom's clan line up for the procession into the future in-law's compound. The men are wearing Kanzu


She-goat given to the bride's parents


Photos by Sarah

The busuuti/gomesi is usually worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions. For example during the engagement ceremony Kwanjula, weddings and funerals. The bussuti/gomesi is worn more often as a day to day garment by women in rural parts of Uganda.

Young women prefer contemporary garments because the busuuti/gomesi does not enhance their feminine body curves and hips as they would prefer. To the point where it is alleged that some women stuff blankets underneath the busuuti/gomesi to enhance their curves and hips.

ALICIA KEYS The singer, an ambassador for the HIV/AIDS organization Keep a Child Alive, which provides medication, nutrition and childcare throughout six African countries, visited the Masaka Healthcare Center in Uganda, donning a "gomesi," the country's traditional dress.

TEXT SOURCES AND MORE INFORMATION

Tracing the Origin f the Gomesi/Busuuti

Should we have a national dress?

Photo by Lukas Vermeer

Traditional Marriages in Uganda: Marriages in Buganda- Kwanjula