Suraya Issa is the proud former Miss Sudan Canada, known for her grace and dedication to celebrating Sudanese culture. With her title, she has become an inspiring figure, showcasing the beauty and strength of her heritage. Suraya continues to engage with her community, promoting positive change and empowerment.

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​About Me​​

My roots goes back to the Nubian and the Moru tribe in the Sudan. My clan's dialect is called Moru Andri, and we speak the Moru language. I grew up in a Nubian household, and my Nubian grandmother brought me up. I speak the Nubian language, cook using ancient Nubian recipes, etc.  I lived in Kenya and Uganda and traveled internationally. I therefore speak up to seven languages.  

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The Moru people
The Moru are an ethnic group in South Sudan, primarily residing in Western Equatoria State. They speak the Moru language, a Central Sudanic language. Many members of this ethnicity are Christians, with most belonging to the Episcopal Church of the Sudan (ECS). The pioneer missionary in the area was Dr. Kenneth Grant Fraser from the Church Missionary Society (CMS). The Ottoman-Egyptian province of Western  Equatoria was under the administration of Sir Samuel Baker, then Charles George Gordon, and finally Emin Pasha. The Moru area was then part of the Lado Enclave, in the far north east of the Congo Free State, later Belgian Congo, from 1894 to 1910.

Dr Kenneth Grant Fraser, a physician and missionary for the Gordon Memorial Sudan Mission (GMSM) of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) of England, and his wife Eileen began working in South Sudan in 1920 to improve access to health care, establish churches, and improve education. The benefits have included a good quality of education for the Moru people. The population of the Moru may not exceed 230,000. Still, this number is difficult to verify due to the history of the 20-year civil wars between Khartoum North and South Sudan, which displaced millions of people, both within the country and in the diaspora.

 

The Nubian 
Nubians are an ancient ethnic group indigenous to the Nile Valley region of southern Egypt and the  Sudan. They are one of Africa's oldest civilizations, with a rich history that includes their role as trading partners and rivals of ancient Egypt, and at one point, ruling Egypt as the 25th dynasty. Today, Nubian communities live in both countries, maintaining a distinct culture and language that is part of the Nilo-Saharan language family. Ancient origins: The Nubians have a history dating back over 50,000 years, with their roots believed to be in the hunter-gatherer cultures of the central Nile Valley. For millennia, Nubia was a key trading partner for Egypt, providing valuable goods like gold, ivory, and spices from sub-Saharan Africa. 

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African Name:

My African Name is Baifa. 

Meaning of the Name: Baifa is a name that embodies a calm spirit and represents a rare gem. Individuals with this name are known for their resilience and a deep appreciation for the wisdom of their community. They strive to foster unity and create a peaceful atmosphere wherever they go, celebrating the beauty of harmony and understanding.

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