Wedding ceremony part of Discover Nubia! Day

A Nubian village wedding will be re-created as part of the Oriental Institute Museum's Discover Nubia! Day, a free event for people of all ages in celebration of Black History Month. The ancient wedding ceremony -- featuring elaborate costuming and jewelry, music performed on traditional instruments, dancing, singing and storytelling -- will be re-enacted by members of the Nubian Cultural Centre of Toronto, all of whom are Sudanese Nubians, at 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, at the museum.

Nubia, the homeland of several ancient African kingdoms, is a vast region in today's southern Egypt and northern Sudan. Since traditional Nubian weddings usually take place in remote village areas in Sudan, this event offers a rare glimpse into rapidly disappearing traditions.

Other Discover Nubia! Day festivities, offered continuously from noon to 4 p.m., will include craft activities for children and their families and half-hour tours of the award-winning exhibit "Vanished Kingdoms of the Nile: The Rediscovery of Ancient Nubia." At 2 p.m., "Nubia 64," a 45-minute film depicting the dramatic salvage of ancient Nubian temples from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, will be shown.

All Discover Nubia! Day programs are free. Reservations are not required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call the Oriental Institute Museum Education Office at 702-9507.