A rich land of cultural diversity,
the people of Egypt have various colorful traditions. Egyptian forefathers came
from the land of Ancient Egypt, Arabia and Turkey, as well as other places.
Traditions may vary between different ethnic groups and even by geographical
area in this vast country. Influences have been taken from the many civilizations
and people who have lived in the area over time.
Within the country, there is often
difficulty as to whether people should identify with being Egyptian, or as part
of the larger Arab world.
The family plays a central role in
Egyptian society, with dishonoring the family one of the worst things an
Egyptian could do.
The two day weekend is Friday and
Saturday.
The Nubians are thought to have
been the first human race on earth. Ancient Egyptians adopted many Nubian
customs. Nubian women usually wear a lot of symbolic jewellery and have
tattoos.
The majority of the modern
Egyptian population is Arabic speaking Sunni Muslims. As such, most people in
Egypt are teetotal and do not eat any meat products from the pig. The weekly holy
day is Friday. Approximately 6% of the population is Christians, with the
majority of these belonging to the Coptic Orthodox Church. Coptic Christians
may have a small tattoo of a cross on their right inner wrist. Apart from
religious practices, they are the same as their Muslim neighbors and speak the
Arabic language. There are some regional dialects, but nothing that prevents
understanding. There are some Berber speakers around the Siwa Oasis and near
Aswan. Language wise, the Nubian people speak Kenuz and Mahas; they are mainly
found around Aswan.
Egypt shares the same traditions
as other Arab cultures. Being a largely Islamic country, many traditions are
derived from their faith. Every village within Egypt has at least one mosque.
Shoes are removed to enter a mosque or mausoleum.
Shrines are common throughout
Egypt, and many people will regularly visit holy shrines to seek help with a
problem, or guidance on the path of life. There are Sufi mystics, who perform
rituals in order to attain a higher relationship with the divine presence.
The three pyramids of Giza and the
Great Sphinx are the national symbol. Other symbols include Horus, the falcon
formed God from ancient Egyptian times, which is the emblem for the national
airline. The Ankh symbol, which was used in the ancient hieroglyphics, is also
seen a lot today.
Eating is an important and central
social activity. All ceremonies and special occasions are marked by a meal.
Loaves of bread are the most important daily food substance. Traditional food
uses many vegetables, and the main national dish is called foul. Foul comprises
slow-cooked fava beans seasoned with lemon, salt, cumin and oil. Falafel made
from crushed fava beans is also popular, as is koshari, which is rice, lentils,
macaroni and onion drizzled with tomato sauce.
Traditionally, meals are taken by
sitting on a carpet and sharing food directly from central communal dishes.
Special Muslim feasts are celebrated with special meals, sometimes accompanied
by animal sacrifices.
Fasting is strictly observed
during the period of Ramadan, where people do not eat or drink between the
hours of sunrise and sundown. Some Muslims observe fasts on other holy days; as
a result, there are large amounts of the year where some of the population are
observing fasts. Egyptian Christians also fast at some periods of the year.
Modesty of dress is valued highly.
Women wear clothes that cover the entire body, bar the face and hands. A
headscarf is usually worn to cover the head, although some women do not follow
this practice. Men do not generally wear tight fitting clothing. In the
metropolitan cities many Egyptians will adopt western styles of dress.
Elsewhere, however, turbans and robes are normal attire for men; this is to
protect the body from the harsh glaring sunlight. A large proportion of the
population are fellahin; small landowners or labourers who live off the land.
The usual dress within the fellahin community is the galibiyeh for men, baggy
white pants underneath full white or pale blue robes, and women typically wear
black galibiyehs.
Males are circumcised as babies,
and the practice of female circumcision is still practised in Egypt, with over
95% of the female population circumcised before they reach puberty. A naming
ceremony is performed for babies a week after birth. Children are usually breastfed
for two years, as proscribed by the Koran; Muslims and Christians observe this.
Within the western and eastern
deserts there are settlements of Beduins. Beduins are semi-nomadic tribes, and
it is common for a Beduin man to have several wives. Within the rest of
Egyptian society, however, monogamy is the norm.
A Nubian wedding usually lasts for
40 days, with various rituals performed during that time. Tradition dictates
that highly decorated camels will be loaded with gifts for the bride and her female
relations from the groom.
In Egypt, when someone dies, the
aim is to bury the body on the same day. Condolences are paid immediately and
again after 40 days and then after one year.
Traditional forms of medicine,
including spiritual healers, run alongside conventional modern practices.
Handshakes and embraces are common
forms of greeting. Tipping is common practice.
With its mix of practices,
traditions and cultural practices, Egypt is a fascinating place to explore.
Egyptian people are also most welcoming towards people from other countries.
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