Guinness-record nonuplets born in Morocco quietly celebrate fifth birthday in Mali

On May 4, the nine siblings — four boys and five girls — quietly turned 5 years old in their home country of Mali. 

Born to Mrs. Arby Halima Oumar Cissé and Abdelkader Arby in Morocco, the siblings are the first known surviving nonuplets meaning nine children born at once — to survive birth, per Guinness World Records.

For this year's birthday, the family — which includes boys Mohammed VI, Oumar, Elhadji and Bah, and girls Kadidia, Fatouma, Hawa, Adama and Oumou — quietly celebrated the birthday at home.

"The nonuplets are all doing well at home as a family," Cissé told US publication PEOPLE.

In honor of their birthday, the family shared a few exclusive photos with PEOPLE. In one, the siblings can be seen standing around their mom, who holds their Guinness World Record certificate. 

The girls wear matching denim outfits, while the boys were dressed in dark pants and white T-shirts.

There are also photos of the family of 11 outside together, sitting in the grass, as well as pictures of the siblings sitting together without their parents.

Cissé explained to PEOPLE that her nonuplets were "conceived naturally without anything at all." She also shared some of the challenges she faces raising nonuplets.

"The most difficult aspect of nonuplets is how it will go when they are going to integrate [into] society," she said.

Speaking to the Guiness World Records, Cissé revealed that they would begin schooling soon.

She said: “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."

Cissé also spoke of any emerging sibling rivalry, revealing that the children get along pretty well with each other, despite the constant competition for toys and attention. 

She said: “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.”

The babies were delivered via caesarean section at 30 weeks, weighing between 1.1 and 2.2 lbs. 

The family then remained in Morocco in a specially-equipped apartment with nursing assistance for the next 19 months, per the BBC.

"They all have different characters. Some are quiet, while other make more noise and cry a lot. Some want to be picked up all the time. They are all very different, which is entirely normal," Abdelkader told the BBC in 2022 ahead of the children’s first birthday.