Tales Of Ancient Egypt

Tales Of Ancient Egypt Tour Guide provides historical information , Cultural and contemporary heritage interpretation to p With passion I will show the visitors my country .
(22)

I am Egyptian tour guide , I offer customized tours for groups and individuals. I am also aware to show the many different sides of the real Egypt, which are full of warm traditions, mixed cultures, civilization about 7000 years of recorded history. I am fully aware of what my guests need and expect. If you are interested in an organized tour both as a group or as an individual you are welcome

to get in touch with me, I will gladly advise you! Ahmed Abdel Salam

Ich bin ägyptischer Reiseleiter und biete individuelle Touren sowohl für Gruppen als auch für Einzelpersonen an. Mit Begeisterung präsentiere ich den Besuchern meine Heimat. Gerne zeige ich auch die vielen anderen Seiten des realen Ägyptens, die voll von warmen Traditionen, Mischkulturen, Zivilisation und 7000 Jahre aufgezeichnete Geschichte sind. Mir ist voll und ganz bewusst, was meine Gäste brauchen und erwarten. Wenn Sie Interesse an einer organisierten Tour sowohl als Gruppe oder auch als Privatperson haben dürfen Sie gerne Kontakt mit mir aufnehmen. Ahmed Abd El Salam

Heracleion (Ancient Greek: Ἡράκλειον Hērákleion), also known as Thonis (Ancient Greek: Θῶνις Thônis; from the Ancient Eg...
28/04/2024

Heracleion (Ancient Greek: Ἡράκλειον Hērákleion), also known as Thonis (Ancient Greek: Θῶνις Thônis; from the Ancient Egyptian: Tȝ-ḥn.t; Coptic: Ⲧϩⲱⲛⲓ Thōni, Coptic pronunciation: [dəˈhoːni])[1] and sometimes called Thonis-Heracleion, was an ancient Egyptian port city located near the Canopic Mouth of the Nile, about 32 km (20 mi) northeast of Alexandria on the Mediterranean Sea.[2] It became inundated and its remains are located in Abu Qir Bay, currently 7 km (4.3 mi) off the coast, under ca. 19 ft (5.8 m) of water,[3][4] and near Abukir.[2][5] The sanctuary of Neith of Sais was located in Thonis.[6] A stele found on the site indicates that late in its history the city was known by both its Egyptian and Greek names.

The Misaharaty (Musaharati) is one of the oldest, most deep-rooted traditions found during Ramadan. El Misaharaty is the...
16/03/2024

The Misaharaty (Musaharati) is one of the oldest, most deep-rooted traditions found during Ramadan.

El Misaharaty is the name given to the person who walks and beats a drum in residential areas to wake people up to eat their sohor (a meal eaten before the beginning of the fast) before morning prayers.

The history of the archaeological building dates back to the era of Khedive Ismail, this was mentioned in the Egyptian n...
05/03/2024

The history of the archaeological building dates back to the era of Khedive Ismail, this was mentioned in the Egyptian newspaper Al-Waqa'i in 1875, which stated that all the historical buildings in the Qanater Muhammad Ali archaeological area are from the era of Khedive. The purpose of this building in the past it was a residence for the inspectors and engineers in charge of overseeing the construction of the Charity Bridges. It also contained site maps for engineers...then it was developed and became a water science museum. It was opened in November 2011 and contains 128 scientific models. These designs have been designed by experts with international experience...It is considered the first educational museum in the Middle East and aims to use modern technologies that simulate nature in the form of games and models that children can understand, which develops their ability to innovate and be creative.

Did you know that:On January 5, 1896, in a cafe in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, the first cinematographic projection...
03/03/2024

Did you know that:

On January 5, 1896, in a cafe in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, the first cinematographic projection in Egypt and on the African continent took place?

National Museum of AlexandriaInaugurated on December 31, 2003 by President Hosini Mubarak, the National Museum of Alexan...
02/03/2024

National Museum of Alexandria

Inaugurated on December 31, 2003 by President Hosini Mubarak, the National Museum of Alexandria is located in a restored palace of Italian origin that, until recently, used to house the consulate of the United States of America.
In this famous museum you will be able to see over 1,800 artifacts that present the history of Alexandria and Egypt. A large part of the exhibits in this museum also come from other Egyptian museums. Mainly, the museum's collection focuses on three categories: Ancient Egypt, Indigenous Cult and the Muslim World.

Also, the museum contains works from the Hellenistic period, including pieces from Heraklion and Conopus.
Another category of exhibits is the one that tells the history of the city of Alexandria and that includes works from the 20th century. The exhibited objects are pieces from ancient ruins, Islamic clothes and other different figurines. Recently, a sculpture was exhibited in the museum, which is said to be of the historical figure Alexander the Great. At the same time, in this well-known museum you will be able to see an impressive collection of jewelry, weapons, statues, coins and glass objects.

Due to the fact that the museum has many exhibits that are very valuable for the history of the Egyptian people, more and more tourists choose to visit this important objective in Alexandria. In this museum you will not only be able to see extremely old pieces, such as those found during underwater archaeological excavations, but also more modern glass, silver or porcelain exhibits.

The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa in Alexandria, Egypt is a huge necropolis that dates back to the 2nd century AD. With 3 ...
29/02/2024

The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa in Alexandria, Egypt is a huge necropolis that dates back to the 2nd century AD. With 3 levels of tombs that could hold up to 300 bodies, the catacombs show a unique combination of Egyptian, Greek and Roman artistic traditions.

...

The Cavafy MuseumOne of Alexandria's most famous sons, Constantin Cavafy (1863-1933), was an Alexandrian Greek poet who ...
28/02/2024

The Cavafy Museum

One of Alexandria's most famous sons, Constantin Cavafy (1863-1933), was an Alexandrian Greek poet who found fame and recognition for his writing after his death. His apartment in what is now Sharm el-Sheikh street is a tribute to his life and a major attraction for anyone on an Alexandrian literary pilgrimage.

Cavafy spent his working life as a journalist and civil servant, little recognized for his poetry outside of a small group of writers in Alexandria (including the English novelist E. M. Forster, who was a champion of Cavafy's work).

However, his poetry richly captures Alexandria's history - especially its Hellenistic origins - and he became one of the city's most celebrated literary figures.

The museum began as an initiative approached by Kostis Moskof, who was the cultural attaché at the Greek Embassy in Cairo, then through the support of businessman G. Stratigakis and other cultural bodies.

The apartment was leased by the International Cavafy Committee in 1991 and opened to the public on November 16, 1992.
The small museum displays letters, notes and poems written by Cavafy, many portraits, drawings and photographs of Cavafy and close friends, a room dedicated to the writer and close friend Stratis Tsirkas, as it was his room when he lived with Cavafy for some time. . The apartment has many books and works published about the author, including many translations into Greek, Arabic, English and 15 other languages, and over 3,000 scholarly articles.

Entrance was free until 2014. Now tickets are 15 LE and 5 LE for students.

GALABEYAJellabiya also jalabiya or galabeya (Arabic: جلابية / ALA-LC: jilabīyah, Egyptian slang: Galabyia, Egyptian Arab...
27/02/2024

GALABEYA

Jellabiya also jalabiya or galabeya (Arabic: جلابية / ALA-LC: jilabīyah, Egyptian slang: Galabyia, Egyptian Arabic: [ɡæ.læ.ˈbej.jæ, ɡæl.læ- ]; "jelebeeya" in Ethiopian; "jehllubeeya" ” in Eritrea) is a loose, traditional Egyptian garment from the Nile Valley.
Today, it is associated with farmers living in the Republic of Egypt (Giza-Cairo, Luxor and Aswan) and comes in rich varieties of colors. The clothing is also worn in Sudan, but has other textures and is usually white, as well as in some communities in Eritrea and Ethiopia. The colorful Egyptian style is used by both men and women.

The jellabiya differs from the Arab thawb in that it has a wider cut, no collar (in some cases, no buttons) and longer and wider sleeves. Farmer versions have very wide sleeves and stitched pockets used to carry to***co, money or other small items.
Along the Red Sea coast in Egypt, Nubia and Sudan, and among members of the Beja tribe, Arabic dishdash is preferred because of jellabiya's relationship to agriculture.

Jellabiya worn in summer are often white. In winter, thicker fabrics are used, which are gray, dark green, olive, blue, tan or striped, and colorful scarves are worn around the neck. The garment is traditionally worn with an ammama (turban).
During Ramadan, white Galabeya is preferred.

The story of the Ramadan cannon in EgyptFor the first time since 1963, the Ramadan cannon is fired from Salah al-Din Al-...
26/02/2024

The story of the Ramadan cannon in Egypt

For the first time since 1963, the Ramadan cannon is fired from Salah al-Din Al-Ayoubi Castle in Cairo

One story says that the Ramadan Cannon dates back to the reign of the Royal Sultan Khushkham, when he wanted to try out a new cannon that came to him, and the cannon was fired at sunset on the first day of Ramadan in 1441 AD, so the people thought that the sultan intended to fire the cannon to warn the fasting people that it was time for Iftar, so the family groups went to court to thank him for this good invention, and when the sultan saw their pleasure he decided to fire with the cannon every day at the time of Iftar.

There is another story that says that some soldiers of the era of Al-Khidawi Ismail were experimenting with a defender, a Dot missile was launched from it into the sky of Cairo, and coincidentally it was the time of Maghrib prayer on the first day of Ramadan, so people thought that Al-Khadiwi was following a new tradition of announcing the time of Iftar, so they started talking about it, When Al-Hajja Fatima, daughter of Al-Khadawi Ismail, found out what had happened, she liked the idea , so he asked Al-Khadiwi to issue an order to make firing the cannon a new Ramadan custom, known at the time as Al-Hajji Cannon Fatima, and later added its firing during Suhur and public holidays .
The cannon is believed to have been changed several times and moved to several places and is currently on display in the police museum square of the Salah al-Din Al-Ayoubi Castle in Cairo and its specifications are a Krop cannon manufactured in 1963 The AD, is a steel pipe centered on an iron base with two large wooden wheels with iron tires, and is operated by two soldiers, one for breeching the gun and the other for firing the cartridge.

Even though 70 years have passed since its inception, it has remained in the hearts and minds of the Egyptians, becoming part of the established tradition and manifestation of the occurrences of the Holy Month.

The story of the Ramadan cannon in Egypt

For the first time since 1992, in 2021, the Ramadan cannon will be fired from Salah El-Din Al-Ayyubi Citadel in Cairo

One of the stories says that the Ramadan Cannon dates back to the time of the Mamluk Sultan Khashkadam when he wanted to test a new cannon he had come across, and it happened that the cannon was fired at sunset on the first day of Ramadan in 1467 AD, so people believed that the Sultan fired the cannon on purpose to alert the fasting people that the time had come to break the fast. So multitudes of the people came out to the seat of government to thank him for this good innovation he had introduced, and when the sultan saw their pleasure, he decided to continue firing the cannon every day, marking the time for breaking the fast.
There is another story which says that some soldiers during the reign of Khedive Ismail were experimenting with one of the cannons, and a shell fired from it rang out in the sky of Cairo. They started talking about it, and when Hajja Fatima, Khedive Ismail's daughter, learned what had happened, she liked the idea, so she asked the Khedive to issue a decree to make cannon firing a new Ramadan custom.

The cannon is believed to have been changed several times and moved to several places, and is currently on display in the courtyard of the police museum in Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi Citadel in Cairo, and its specifications are the Krupp brand cannon produced in 1871 CE. It was operated by two soldiers, one to put the gunpowder in the barrel and the other to fire the cartridge.

Despite the passage of 30 years since its cessation, it remained in the hearts and minds of Egyptians as it became an established tradition and manifestation of the holy month.

El Moez Street, often called “Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Street,” is a fascinating historical thoroughfare in the heart of Ca...
25/02/2024

El Moez Street, often called “Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Street,” is a fascinating historical thoroughfare in the heart of Cairo, Egypt. This ancient street boasts a rich heritage that dates back over a thousand years, making it one of the world’s most remarkable and well-preserved historic districts. With its intricate architectural wonders, cultural significance, and vibrant atmosphere, El Moez Street is a testament to Egypt’s enduring history and role as a cradle of civilization. El Moez Street takes its name from Al-Muizz li-Din Allah, the fourth caliph of the Fatimid dynasty, who ruled Egypt during the 10th century. Under his reign, Cairo experienced a golden age of cultural and architectural development. Al-Muizz’s vision was to create a new city, Al-Qahira (Cairo), which would rival other great cities of the time, such as Baghdad and Constantinople. El Moez Street was the centrepiece of his ambitious plan.

Construction of the street began in 969 AD and continued over several centuries, resulting in a unique blend of architectural styles that reflect various historical periods. The street runs for approximately one kilometre through the heart of Old Cairo, connecting some of the city’s most significant historic sites.

Color symbolism in ancient EgyptThe ancient Egyptians gave the main colors a symbolic value resulting from the perceptio...
25/02/2024

Color symbolism in ancient Egypt

The ancient Egyptians gave the main colors a symbolic value resulting from the perception they had of the natural phenomena in correlation with these colors: the yellow of the sun, the green of the vegetation, the black of the fertile land, the blue of the sky or the red of the desert.
For religious painting, priests generally allowed only a limited number of colors: white, black, the three basic colors (red, yellow, and blue), as well as their combinations (green, brown, pink, and gray). The painting is done by flat color; only the Amarna period will deviate from this rule by offering subtle gradations.

The white color ( hedj ) is the symbol of joy and pomp, but also of the ritual purity necessary for worship. It recalls the color of dawn, the light that triumphs over darkness. It also represents the white gold from which the flesh and bones of the gods are made. White is also the color of the crown of Upper Egypt, the hedjet, which fits into the red crown of Lower Egypt to form the pschent. White is also the color of the bands surrounding the mummy and, by extension, that of the shroud.
The white could be obtained from natural cerussite or calcium sulfate.

Blue (irtyu) could be obtained from calcium-copper silicate.
It could also be a symbol of sexuality between human beings.
Light blue is the symbol of air and sky. It is also the color of the god Amun who was, among other things, a god of the atmosphere. The god Min can also be represented in blue in his aspect of Min-Amin.

The dark blue of lapis lazuli is the symbol of the night sky and the abyss.

Turquoise
The turquoise blue is the symbol of the aquatic universe of the Nile, from which all life springs.

Brown is the skin color of the Egyptians and Egans, the Nubians and Sudanese being black. We regularly distinguish the male from the female by making the male's skin quite red-brown, and the female's pale ochre.

The color yellow (khenet) is the symbol of gold, the sun at its zenith and immortality. It is the color of the gods, whose body is in yellow gold (or white gold). The background of the decorations is sometimes painted yellow to symbolize a huge papyrus scroll, the container of the sacred charms that will be painted there.
The yellow could be obtained from the iron oxide found as rock in the mountains.

Contrary to Christian symbolism, black ( kem ) did not have a negative connotation in ancient Egyptian thought. If it is indeed the color of the night and the realm of the dead, it is above all the symbol of rebirth and fertility. Black, the color of the fertile mud brought by the annual flood of the Nile, is indeed strongly linked to the symbolism of rebirth. The silt deposited on the banks allowed Egyptian crops to be "reborn" after a season of drought when the plants seemed to be "dying". This mud, vital to a farming people, would give the ancient name of Egypt, kmt (kemet), "black (earth)". The color black is also used to represent the skin color of Nubians and Sudanese.
Deities related to myths of death and rebirth, such as Osiris or Anubis, are often depicted with black skin. Likewise, those related to fertility myths, such as Osiris or Ptah, are depicted with either black skin or green (another color symbol of fertility). Black is also the coat color of the sacred bulls Apis and Mnévis.
The black color could be obtained from galena (for makeup) or coal (for dyeing). From the 4th Dynasty, it replaced dark green for the shadows applied around the eyes. It is likely that it represents the color that naturally surrounds the eyes of the falcon, an animal sacred to the god Horus whose eye had a strong beneficial connotation.

GrayThe god Oupouaout is represented in gray, but it is difficult to determine whether this color has a different symbolic meaning than the black, or whether it is just an artist's "trick" to differentiate him from the god Anubis.

The color red ( decher ) is the symbol of violence, desert, fire, blood and death, but also of victory. It is notably the color of the god Seth, the destroyer, who was said to have red hair. The crown of Lower Egypt is red (although the north, especially the Nile Delta, is very rich in vegetation).
Red, like yellow, could be obtained from iron oxide.

The color green (ouadj) is written with the hieroglyph representing a papyrus. Obviously, it symbolizes vegetation, but also youth, health and regeneration. It thus shares some of the symbolism of the color black, and that is why certain gods, such as Osiris, for example, are sometimes represented in black, sometimes in green. Among the deities sometimes represented in green, we also note the god Ptah and the goddess Maat.
Green could be obtained from malachite or a mixture of blue and yellow.

The tomb of Nefertari , which is located in the Valley of the Queens on the west Bank of Luxor, is one of the most spect...
24/02/2024

The tomb of Nefertari , which is located in the Valley of the Queens on the west Bank of Luxor, is one of the most spectacular tombs that you can visit in Egypt.
Tomb of queen Nefertari’s Ramses II favorite wife is the most famous attraction. The tomb is said to be one of the most beautiful and Spectacular in Egypt and a sight to behold. It is known by historians as the “Sistine Chapel of Ancient Egypt.”

The level of the detail is amazing and the color are more vibrant than what you can see any tomb in Egypt. Don’t miss it, put it on your list.

Nefertari ( the name means “The Most Beautiful one”) was known as “Great Kings wife”, “Lady of Grace”, “Lady of All Lands”, “Wife of the Strong Bull”, “Great of Praises”, “Lady of the Two Lands” “Sweet of Love” and many other nicknames, Queen Nefertari was one of the most famous Egyptian queens and an iconic women of Ancient Egypt.

Ramesses II, like other kings of Egypt, had a large harem of wives. However, at any time only one wife was given the honor of being his ‘chief queen.” Although he would take eight of these queens over his lifetime, Queen Nefertari was his first and most beloved. Ramesses was incredibly devoted to Nefertari and was obsessed with her beauty. All of the best Egypt tours will include the story of Ramesses and his admiration for his wife, as this love story is so important to Egyptian history

The oldest dam in history still functioningFayoum is one of the wonders of Egyptian civilization, it is 4,000 years old,...
24/02/2024

The oldest dam in history still functioning

Fayoum is one of the wonders of Egyptian civilization, it is 4,000 years old, and the wonder is that it is still working today.
It was built during the reign of King Amnamhat III, the 6th king of the 12th family, in the Lahun region of the Fayoum.

Did you know that?A mashrabiya or mashrabiyya (Arabic: مشربية‎) is an architectural element that is characteristic of tr...
23/02/2024

Did you know that?

A mashrabiya or mashrabiyya (Arabic: مشربية‎) is an architectural element that is characteristic of traditional architecture in the Islamic world and beyond. It is a type of projecting window, enclosed with carved wooden latticework, located on the upper floors of a building, sometimes enhanced with stained glass. It has traditionally been used to trap wind and for passive cooling. Jars and basins of water can be placed in it to cause ev***rative cooling. It is most commonly used on the street side of the building; however, it can also be used internally on the sahn (courtyard) side. The term mashrabiya is sometimes used for similar grills elsewhere, for example in a takhtabush.

It has been used since the Middle Ages, reaching a peak during the Ottoman period, but falling into decline in the late 19th and first half of the 20th centuries. However, interest in sustainable architecture has contributed to a revival of mashrabiya and other elements of vernacular architecture.

The term mashrabiya is derived from the triliteral root Š - R - B, which generally denotes drinking or absorption. There are two theories for its name:
The most common theory is that the term was derived from the Arabic word, sharaba (meaning to drink), because the space was used for a small wooden shelf where drinking water vessels were stored. The shelf was enclosed with wood and placed by the window to keep the water cold. Later this shelf evolved until it became part of the room with a complete enclosure and retained its name despite the radical change in use. The less common theory is that the name was originally mashrafiya, derived from the verb shrafa, meaning to overlook or notice. Over the centuries, the name slowly changed due to sound changes and the influence of other languages.
Mashrabiya is known by various labels in the Arab world; takhrima in Yemen; buarli or gannariya in Tunis, shanashil or rowshin in Iraq and Jeddah. It is also called shanshūl ( شنشول ) or rōshān ( روشان ).

There are other terms to describe variants of this architectural feature beyond the Arab world. In Turkish it is called şahnisin, from Persian, adopted in Greek as sachnisi.
In Malta, they are known by the related term muxrabija.

They are very widespread in Iraq, Iran, Levant, Hejaz and Egypt.

*Bayt al-Razzaz Palace in Cairo – urban palace first built in the 15th century during the Mamluk era, with several mashrabiya
*House of Ali Effendi Labib in Cairo – originally built in the late 12th century [36]*Bayt al-Kritliya in Cairo - originally built in 1631, now the *Gayer-Anderson Museum
*Palace of Prince Mohammed Ali Tewfik in Cairo – built at the beginning of the 20th century

Mashrabiya, with its concept of isolating women from public view, played into the erotic fantasies of European male audiences.

The use of mashrabiya became widespread during the Ottoman period (1517-1805). However, by the end of the 19th century, its use was in decline. The reasons for its decline are complex, including both cultural and practical considerations, such as the advent of modernism and the availability of new technologies and materials, the high cost of the labor-intensive work of producing the lattice, and concerns about the danger of fire.

GAYER-ANDERSON MUSEUMThe Gayer-Anderson Museum is an art museum located in Cairo, Egypt. This museum is next to the Mosq...
22/02/2024

GAYER-ANDERSON MUSEUM
The Gayer-Anderson Museum is an art museum located in Cairo, Egypt. This museum is next to the Mosque of Ahmad ibn Tulun and is named after Major R.G. Gayer-Anderson Pasha, who lived in the house between 1935 and 1942 with special permission from the Egyptian Government. This museum is a great example of 17th-century domestic architecture and has a wonderful collection of furniture, carpets, curios and other antiquities that fascinate you! So come on down and explore all that this museum has to offer!
This beautiful building was once two separate residences, and it now houses an impressive collection of artefacts from Ancient Egypt, the Islamic world, and China.

The Museum is named after its previous occupants, Major Ronald Gayer-Anderson and Colonel Sir Robert Anderson.

Egypt will witness two remarkable astronomical phenomena on Thursday, February 22, including the Beehive Cluster and the...
22/02/2024

Egypt will witness two remarkable astronomical phenomena on Thursday, February 22, including the Beehive Cluster and the conjunction of Venus and Mars, said Ashraf Tadros, Professor of Astronomy at the National Research Institute for Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG).

The Beehive Cluster - also known as M44 - is a fascinating open group of stars located in the constellation Cancer. It can easily be seen through binoculars at night until 5:00 a.m. and can often be seen with the naked eye.

The second phenomenon is a conjunction between Venus, the brightest planet, and Mars, the Red Planet, at 5:20 AM.

In a statement, Tadros said the two phenomena can be observed in clear weather with no clouds or water v***r in the sky.

Anba Semaan Al-Karraz Monastery in the Mokattam Mountains...Located in the surroundings of Al-Abajiyya and in the surrou...
20/02/2024

Anba Semaan Al-Karraz Monastery in the Mokattam Mountains...

Located in the surroundings of Al-Abajiyya and in the surroundings of the area of origin of Naser. The church is one of the rare architectural artifacts carved in the heart of the Mokattam mountains. It is a combination between the beauties of nature and the distinctive architectural features with which the monastery was built, which later became one of the most important tourist attractions.

The Church of Saint Simion Kharaz or Semaan Kharaz Monastery in the Mokattam Mountains is one of the largest churches in Egypt with a capacity of 20,000 people and containing 76 engraved images.
The monastery was named after Saint Samaan Al-Kharaz, who also had a connection with Saint Samaan Al-Dabbagh, the saint who lived in the tenth century in Egypt, under the leadership of the Fatmid Caliph Al Muizz Li Din Allak during the Coptic Patriarchate Ebram Al-Syriani (975-979 AD), who worked in a factory and in a shop for shoe repairs.
The site includes 6 Christian-Orthodox churches: Anba Shenouda Church, Anba Pram bin Zarra Syriani Church, Angel, Mary and Hanna Church, Anba Paula and Antonius Church, Mary Morcos Church and the Cathedral of the Virgin and St. Simion. The appearance of the church is one of the strangest and most beautiful of the 20 churches in the world.

-text taken-

People of the DesertOne of the tours you must take advantage of in Egypt is visiting a Bedouin village to really underst...
20/02/2024

People of the Desert

One of the tours you must take advantage of in Egypt is visiting a Bedouin village to really understand their history and how they evolved from food cooked on camel dung to the new capital Cairo of impressive luxury.

The name Bedouin comes from the Arabic word badawi, which means inhabitant of the desert. This is what the Bedouins are by tradition, those who for centuries have lived in tribes and traversed the desert belt of Africa, extending from the Atlantic coast, the Sahara, to the Sinai Peninsula and the eastern coast of the Arabian desert. Although the figure is not official, it seems that currently more than 11 million souls choose to live their lives respecting the traditions of Islam and a centuries-old way of life.

Each experience in a Bedouin village is unique because each village lives by its own rules. We visited three Bedouin settlements, who lived about 1 km apart and were guided by the same rules.

Legends say that Bedouin settlements are determined by camels as a location. These graceful animals can sense water dozens of meters into the ground, which is why when a camel sits down in the middle of the desert, it means that in that place, in the ground, the Bedouins can find water springs.
In Hurghada there are three such settlements, inhabited by Bedouins, at a distance of about 1 km between them. Each of these settlements has a chief, chosen from among them, who is responsible for their safety and well-being, and is also the one who distributes the law in the community. The chief is the only one who is allowed to leave the community to buy supplies and all that is needed in the community.

Even though they do not have a well-defined religion, the Bedouins have very strict rules regarding their dress and status. If in the case of men the rules are more permissive, women are obliged to follow them strictly. Until the age of 8, girls are allowed to go dressed as they want. At the age of 8 they cover their hair, and when they become young ladies they leave only their eyes exposed. After marriage, women dress only in black and cover their faces. Those dressed in different colors are unmarried girls. Another very strict rule of the tribe is that if someone leaves the village, they are not allowed to return.
Bedouins marry among themselves, starting with the second degree of kinship. The chief, chosen by them, raises a green flag over the dwellings where a woman ready for marriage is. Interested men are invited by the girl's father to the house to serve hot tea. If the man puts sugar in his tea, it means that he is interested in marriage and stays to discuss further with the family. If not interested, the visitor continues on his way. Egyptians cannot marry Bedouins.

Unlike the rest of the merchants in Egypt, the Bedouins are very proud people and do not accept giving them alms money, but if you want to help them you can buy medicinal products, gablonts or teas, made by them.

Bedouin dwellings are built of stone with earth and covered with dry palm leaves. Their dwellings are very airy and cool.

If they get sick, the Bedouins treat themselves with different herbs or ointments, produced by them. Every Bedouin is taught from an early age to handle medical emergencies. Only when there are serious cases do they turn to doctors.
The law, in the Bedouin village, is in the hands of the chief. He calls the wrongdoers to judgment, and the guilty pay! To find out the truth, the chief of the tribe heats the blade of a knife on fire and then places it on the tip of the defendant's tongue. If he burns and blisters, it means he is guilty. In fact, in the case of activation of the sympathetic nervous system responsible for the so-called fight or flight reaction, i.e. the fight or flight reaction in case of great danger, acetylcholine is secreted which activates the secretion of adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). These are released into the blood. The sympathetic nervous system acts autonomously, without conscious control, and prepares the body for actions in dangerous situations by reducing the secretion of the salivary glands - hence the blister on the tongue.

The Egyptian police are only allowed to enter these Bedouin villages with the permission of the tribal chief.

The Bedouins live by raising animals. In addition to camels, they also raise goats for sale or for their own consumption. Near Hurghada, or other tourist resorts, Bedouins have discovered that tourists are an important source of income. Thus they decided to welcome us into their community and offer us the products they make themselves.

Among medicines, teas and gablons, I discovered a small room where a woman was cooking, on a fire maintained by camel dung and straw, the traditional lipii with which the Bedouins conquered the tourists.
It is a unique and impressive experience at the same time to see that in the age of Facebook there are Bedouin villages whose value lies in the heads of the camels they own, religion and traditions being the only compasses according to which they coordinate their destinies.

(text taken)

Address

Alexandria
056

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Tales Of Ancient Egypt posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Tales Of Ancient Egypt:

Share

Category

Nearby travel agencies


Other Tour Guides in Alexandria

Show All