Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Egypt culture: Prepare for your trip to Egypt

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Egyptian Antiquity has left Egypt and its culture many of the most beautiful temples and pyramids in the world. It was during this period that the first pyramids were built to glorify the pharaohs, kings of Egypt.

In Abu Simbel, for example, you can see the temple of Ramses II and that of his wife Nefertari. In addition to Abu Simbel, you must also admire the pyramids of Giza near Cairo, the largest of which is that of Cheops. Also, don’t miss the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens near Luxor and Karnak.

The end of what has been called “ancient Egypt” dates from the Roman domination set up from – 30 BC. J.-C. It is with the death of Cleopatra that in Egypt the Roman domination settles with the emperor Auguste. In Egypt, Roman rule will last about 400 years.

Then, Egypt will successively observe a Byzantine, Islamic, Ottoman period, then will pass under British protectorate. The independence of Egypt will be recognized in 1922. The Republic of Egypt that we know today will be proclaimed in 1953. In Egypt, the culture was directly influenced by its successive colonizations.

The eye of Horus or “oudjat”

This eye brings happiness, luck and health. Symbol of Egypt and its culture, it is often found on amulets and other talismans sold in the souks. Horus, the falcon god in the Egyptian pantheon, is said to have lost his eye fighting the god Seth to avenge his father’s memory. The eye was broken into 6 pieces and thrown into the Nile by Seth. Thoth retrieved it and put it back together before returning it to Horus.

Egyptian cuisine is based on a few simple and nutritious foods: chickpeas in the form of hummus in particular, semolina or beans, at the base of a cheap dish that can be found everywhere, the “foul”. In the meat department, you can eat stuffed pigeon, a dish reserved for special occasions. The local fish is eaten a lot in the coastal towns.

In Egypt, the food culture also translates a lot to takeaway food. As in all of Africa, you will find many small dishes to eat on the go in Cairo, Abu Simbel or Alexandria such as kebab, mezes, etc.

For dessert, pick up oriental pastries in the souk, Abu Simbel, Alexandria or Cairo. Baklawas, konafas or zalabias: they are all generously sweet, fragrant and made from dried fruits and almonds. Served to accompany a hot mint tea, they should be consumed in moderation!

In the section to consume with parsimony, the Egyptians are crazy about the shisha also called hookah. This sometimes flavored tobacco water pipe works by burning coal. It is a symbol of Egypt and its culture which is perpetuated in the city as well as in the countryside.

Discover Egypt with our all-inclusive stays

Egyptian music is an integral part of culture in Egypt. Popular, you hear music on every street corner. Always very rhythmic, it is accompanied by instruments such as the tar or the darbouka. Speaking of rhythm, Egypt is also the cradle of oriental belly dancing. You will inevitably hear the most famous singer in the Arab world, Oum Kalthoum on the airwaves or at the Cairo Opera.

To listen to music in Egypt, go to the Cairo Opera House. Built in the 20th century, the Cairo Opera House is Africa’s premier opera house. You can attend the Cairo Opera to theater performances and ballets. The Cairo Opera also programs classical music, traditional Arabic music and more contemporary music.

Besides music, Egypt is also the cradle of writing. From the time of the pharaohs, the Egyptians used figurative writing, the famous hieroglyphs. They were deciphered years later by Jean-François Champollion in the 19th century.

Egypt is also a land of poets where love poetry often takes on a sacred character. Egypt and its culture are also marked by cinema, which has been a resounding success since its inception. Directors like Youssef Chahine have been keen to represent Egypt in all its guises.

Abundant, rich and varied, culture in Egypt is not limited to ancient Egypt. Come and discover the wonders of Egypt!

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