The world’s only surviving nonuplets, born in Mali, have celebrated their fifth birthday — a milestone that also marks the beginning of a new chapter as they prepare to start school.
The nine siblings, born to Halima Cissé and Abdelkader Arby, made global headlines on May 4, 2021, when they became the first known set of nonuplets to survive birth.
Five years later, the four boys and five girls are said to be healthy, active, and growing well, with their parents describing them as joyful and closely bonded.
Speaking about their development, their mother, Halima Cissé, said the children share a strong connection and enjoy spending time together.
“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,” she said. “Like all siblings, they sometimes have small disagreements, but they are very united and caring towards one another.”
She also noted that each child is developing a distinct personality.
“Some are more energetic and expressive, while others are calmer and more observant. It is beautiful to see how different they are, yet how connected they remain,” she added.
Looking ahead, Cissé confirmed that the children are set to begin school soon — a major step for the family.
“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,” she said. “They will begin school soon, which is an important and exciting step for them.”
She added that the family is focused on balancing education with a normal childhood experience as the children transition into formal learning.
The nonuplets were born prematurely at 30 weeks through Caesarean section in Morocco after doctors initially believed the pregnancy involved seven babies. Two additional babies were discovered later, making the delivery even more remarkable.
At birth, each child weighed between 500 grams and 1 kilogram and required intensive medical care in their early months before gradually stabilising.
The children — named Bah, Oumar, Elhadji, Mohammed VI, Fatouma, Adama, Hawa, Oumou, and Kadidia — later returned to Mali after receiving extended care abroad, where they have continued to grow under close family support.
Their father, Abdelkader Arby, has previously expressed gratitude to the Malian government for assisting the family, noting the challenges of raising nine children of the same age.
Despite the extraordinary nature of their birth, updates over the years show the children thriving, developing unique personalities, and growing up in what their parents describe as a loving and supportive environment.
