EGYPT THE LAND OF THE PHAROAHS
MRS. RUCKI
Table of Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 3 Religion................................................................................................................................. 4 Location ................................................................................................................................ 5 Housing and Shelter ......................................................................................................... 6 Food ....................................................................................................................................... 7 Sports and Recreation ..................................................................................................... 8 Economy ............................................................................................................................... 9 Education ...........................................................................................................................10 Clothing...............................................................................................................................11 Families ..............................................................................................................................12 Customs and Gestures ...................................................................................................13 Holidays..............................................................................................................................14 Glossary ..............................................................................................................................16 Index ....................................................................................................................................17
Introduction Egypt is the land of powerful images from the past as well as the modern developments of the future. The earliest people of Egypt arrived over 250,000 years ago. Egypt has gone through many different periods from pharaohs and dynasties, to the kings of the republic today. Come! Explore the beauty and richness of this ancient land as we walk through different traits of culture of Egypt!
Religion Get ready to explore the ancient religions of Egypt! There are two main religious groups in Egypt. One group is Muslims and the other is Coptic Christians. Around 90% of all Blue Mosque
Egyptians are Sunni Muslims. Most Muslim men take their sons to the mosque every Friday to pray from the age of seven. Children younger than seven may distract the people who are praying,
so they do not go with their fathers. Egypt’s largest religious minority is Coptic Christians, with only about 10% of the population. Christians go to church on Sundays while Muslims go to mosque on Fridays. Islamic scripture is written in the Quran and Christian scripture is written in the Bible. There are other religions in Egypt but Muslim and Coptic Christian are the two main ones.
Location Egypt is an important country located in the northeastern part of Africa. Some people think that Egypt is in Asia while others think Africa. The area it is in is really considered the Middle East. The Mediterranean Sea borders Egypt on the north while the Red Sea lies on the east coast. The main river flowing in Egypt is the Nile River. There are three countries that border Egypt. Libya is to the west, Sudan is to the south and Israel is to the east. The Middle East is known for its deserts, oil and ancient wonders.
Housing and Shelter There are a variety of types of homes that people live in Egypt. The wealthier people tend to live in houses and villas with gardens and more rooms. Their homes tend to be large and spacious and are made out of concrete and bricks. They often live in the urban areas of towns. Poorer families in Egypt live in smaller apartments and houses, typically in the country or rural areas. Often times there are many people in one family sharing a small space. Houses usually are close together and are made of sticks and mud. The type of shelter a family will have depends on how much money they can put towards a home.
Food There are a lot of wonderful foods that are grown and eaten in Egypt. While Egyptian food has its own flavor, it is a mix of Turkish, Greek, Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian cuisine. Egyptian foods have a lot of spices and flavor. The main meal of the day is lunch, usually eaten as a family between 4-5 pm, when the family gets home from work. Egyptians eat dinner before bed, sometimes as late at 10-11 pm, depending on the families work and school schedules. Egyptians eat a wide variety of vegetables. The most common ones are tomatoes, cucumbers, okra and eggplant. Egyptians also eat meat, rice and locally made baladi bread. Three staple foods are foul, tamiya and falafel, each with its own taste. Food is important in Egypt as it brings people together for a meal and to discuss the day’s events.
Sports and Recreation There are many different sports and activities in Egypt. Football (or soccer) is the national sport. People of all ages love to play football ANYTIME, ANYWHERE! Many people are competitive about football and at times conflicts arise between the supporters of two different teams. Other sports are played in Egypt are tennis, horseback riding and swimming. These sports are often played at private country clubs where wealthier families go. Some people living in rural areas like to wrestle and play basketball. Men and women like to meet up at cafes for tea and to play board games and cards. Backgammon, checkers, cards and chess are all common recreational activities played by people of all ages. So while there are many different sports and activities enjoyed in Egypt, the two most popular are football and tennis.
Economy Nearly 30 % of Egyptians are wealthy and know how to read and write in Arabic, some in English as well. One third of Egyptians do rural farming for a living. The main export products in Egypt are oil and lead. Egypt also exports 2/3 of cotton products. Tourism is the main source of income for Egypt, although it has been affected be recent events of violence within and around the country.
Education Education is very important in the lives of Egyptians. The literacy rate is 72% throughout the country. Nearly half of the students in school are women. More women graduate from universities than men in Egypt. Educated men and women tend to work outside the home; while less educated people have menial jobs or farm for a living. The Egyptian government offers a free education for students in public schools through the university level. There are many private schools in Egypt, but there are entrance exams and fees that many Egyptians cannot afford.
Clothing Egyptian people dress differently depending on their religions beliefs, family values and social class. Some women have gone towards more conservative Islamic dress practices, often covering hair and body completely. Many rural women tend to cover themselves with traditional clothing called hijab. Urban working women tend to wear more modernly fashionable styles and business attire. Rural men often wear gallabeyyas along with head coverings like turbans. Men may also grow beards as a sign of their religious beliefs. Urban men tend to wear more comfortable, western style clothing. All people who enter a mosque need to take their shoes off at the door as a sign of respect. They also must dress conservatively with their shoulders and heads covered. There is a wide range of acceptable ways to dress in Egypt and many factors come into play when deciding.
Families Families are extremely important in Egypt. Most children live at home until they marry. Some extended families live together under one roof. The eldest son is expected to take care of the parents when they get older and it is very offensive to have an aging person live in a retirement home. Men are usually employed outside of the home and earn a living for their family. They also protect their families from any danger. Women’s role in the family is the caretaker and caregiver. The mother takes care of the children and the house, making food and cleaning. Many Muslim women are not allowed to leave the house without a man or boy accompanying them. Egyptians value family relationships above all other things.
Customs and Gestures People in Egypt are very social and like to spend time in each other’s company. When people meet they usually do two air kisses, one on each cheek. When Egyptians go to other’s homes, Muslims usually bring chocolate while Christians often bring dessert or wine as a gift. Egyptians dress up in their best clothes for special occasions. Muslims wear clothes that cover their heads, shoulders and knees when they visit a mosque. Customs and certain gestures are very important in Egypt.
Holidays There are many holidays and celebrations in Egypt. The western calendar is used for all business and government purposes and a lunar calendar is used for the dates of Muslim holidays. Ramadan is a very important religious holiday for Muslims where they go without food or drink from sunrise to sunset. Eid-al-Fitr is a three-day feast held at the end of Ramadan. Egyptians love celebrations for a variety of reasons.
Conclusion So as you can see, Egypt is a land of mystical adventures from the ancient civilizations to the current trends. It is an important country in the Middle East and is situated right in the middle of all of the action. From the beautiful deserts to the Nile River to the Red Sea, Egypt is a place worth visiting and has much to offer any visitor. So hop on the next plane and fly on over!
Glossary
Index
Egypt, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Middle East, 5, 16
mosque, 4, 12, 14 Muslim, 4, 13, 15