The world’s first surviving nonuplets have marked a major milestone, celebrating their fifth birthday as they prepare to begin school in their home country of Mali.
The nine children, born to Halima Cissé and her husband Abdelkader Arby, turned five on May 4, drawing renewed global attention to one of the most extraordinary births in modern medical history.
The sibling’s four boys and five girls were born prematurely by Caesarean section on May 4, 2021, at the Ain Borja clinic in Casablanca after doctors initially believed Halima was carrying seven babies, only to discover two more during specialist treatment in Morocco.
At birth, each baby weighed between 500 grams and one kilogram, requiring intensive neonatal care for months.
According to Guinness World Records, the children remain the first known set of nonuplets nine babies delivered at a single birth to survive infancy. Their survival stunned doctors and captured worldwide attention, as previous recorded cases of nonuplets had not survived.
Five years later, the family says the children are healthy, energetic, and closely bonded.
Their mother described the upcoming start of formal education as an important new chapter, noting that the nonuplets are growing with distinct personalities while remaining strongly connected as siblings.
The family, who spent 19 months in Morocco after the birth for specialist medical care, has since returned to Mali, where they quietly celebrated the birthday at home.
Speaking about their growth and close-knit bond, Halima highlighted the children’s relationship and individual personalities
“The children get along very well with each other and with their big sister. They share a strong bond and spend most of their time playing together. Like all siblings, they sometimes have small disagreements, but they are very united and caring towards one another.”
“Each child has a unique personality,” she added.
“Some are more energetic and expressive, while others are calmer and more observant. It is wonderful to see how different they are, yet how connected they remain.”
Giving an update on their well-being and upcoming milestone, the mother said: “The children are doing very well, Alhamdulillah. They are healthy, active, and full of joy. They continue to grow beautifully, and we are very grateful.”
“They will begin school soon, which is an important and exciting step for them. As parents, we are focusing on their education while making sure they continue to enjoy their childhood. This new stage is a big change for the family.”
Initially, doctors believed Cissé was carrying seven babies. However, two more were discovered after she was transferred to Morocco for specialized care, where the nonuplets were delivered prematurely at 30 weeks via Caesarean section.
Before returning, they had been living on medical support in Casablanca.
The siblings five girls and four boys named Bah, Oumar, Elhadji, Mohammed VI, Fatouma, Adama, Hawa, Oumou, and Kadidia later returned to Mali after receiving extended medical support abroad, where they have continued to grow under the care of their parents and a strong support system.
After arriving back in the Malian capital, Bamako, in the early hours of Tuesday morning I. 2021, the father, Abdelkader Arby, thanked the Malian government, which he said had been helping the family financially.
“It’s a lot of work, but Allah, who gave us this blessing, will help us in their upbringing and taking care of them,” he added.
The remarkable journey of the Malian nonuplets has continued to inspire millions across the world, standing as both a medical marvel and a symbol of resilience for families facing extraordinary odds.
