Egyptian Heritage Cultures People Traditional Sites Attractions Cultural Tourism

Cultural tourism is the form of tourism that has specific purpose. It is not only for fun, but also for acknowledge with the culture of a specific country. Cultural tourism fulfills the desires of the tourist who has special concerns with the arts, theatres, ballet, dancing, and fine arts. And on another hand, Cultural tourism concerns the form of life in the rural and urban areas, observing the costumes and traditions of the people.

Egypt is one of the countries which comprises among Culture, Civilization, History and Art. Egypt contains a lot of sites that include historical sites such as Giza pyramids, Saqqara, pharaonic temples in Luxor and Aswan: Karnak, Abydos, Edfu, Kom Ombo,Philea.

 Historical and Artistic Museums such as Eyptian Museum, Mahmoud Khalil, Mahmoud Mokhtar, Egyptian Modern Art Museum, in addition to other sites like Cairo Opera House, Alexandria Library, Salah El Din Citadel. You can enjoy visiting touristic sites and touch culture, civilization, history and art.  

Egypt is a blend of cultures where the pharoanic, Mediterranean, and Arabian cultures harmoniously melted in one pot. One characteristic that mainly features the Egyptian culture is the word heritage, an attribute that makes it unique among others.

Painting has always been an integral aspect of the vibrant Egyptian culture, whereby the Egyptian monuments are proud witnesses. The continuation of the inspiring muses kept their promise to modern Egyptian artists whom you can be introduced to through one of the many Egyptian cultural centers and showrooms.

Your trip to the grand pyramids of Giza, shall provide you with considerable insight into the cultural and traditional heritage of the Egyptians. The pictorial depictions on the walls of these massive pyramids shall give you a fair idea about those who lived on the land of Egypt centuries ago.

Music and dancing form an inseparable part of the Egyptian culture. Belly dancing has been associated with the culture of Egypt for a long time and is a common feature at weddings and social gatherings. Religion whether Islam or Christianity has played a dominant role in the cultural life of Egypt.

Egypt is actually a wonderful and delightful mixture of traditions, with a socioeconomic structure which allows, more and more, a gradient of classes.  A considerable amount, if not majority, of Egypt's population now live in larger cities, mostly Cairo and Alexandria. In fact, these two cities dominate the vision of most foreigners. They are vitally important to Egypt's culture, but one should not neglect the many other moderately sized cities.

Egyptians are very friendly people, and even the poorest among them will show hospitality to a stranger. The Egyptian greeting is typically “as-Salam A’laikom,” or (peace be with you,) and the response is “wa ‘alaikom as-Salam,” or (and peace be with you as well.) Egyptians shake hands upon greeting, although two men or two women might kiss on the cheek.

Positioned at the crossroads of Africa and Asia, Egypt has had contact for millennia with the cultures of the Mediterranean basin. As a result, Egyptian society and culture derives from many sources. 

The primary religion in Egypt is Islam, though the country has a significant Coptic Christian minority. The dominant language is Arabic. Egypt's economy is based on agriculture, industry, and services, based in large part on the Suez Canal and the huge tourist industry. In addition, Egyptian workers abroad send home substantial amounts of foreign currency, which helps Egypt's balance of trade.

Traditional Lifestyles
For centuries, Asiatic, Middle Eastern, European, and African people invaded Egypt, and many stayed. In addition to the dominant Islamic Egyptians, several cultural groups are evident: Copts, Bedouins, Nubians, and Egyptian peasants, or fallahin. 

Modern Copts are descendants of Egypt's original Christians, who resisted the conversion to Islam. The majority live in Cairo and Middle and Upper Egypt, where they speak Arabic. The fallahin are rural laborers who farm the irrigated fields along the Nile, live in small villages, and lead traditional agrarian lives that have changed little over the centuries.

Bedouins wander Egypt's deserts in search of fresh grazing for their camels and goats and water for their families. Traditional Bedouins form small, tightly knit clans, though modern inroads into the desert are changing Bedouin lives. Many families have settled and built houses and now use vehicles to move flocks. Although Bedouins still keep themselves apart from sedentary Egyptians, their ancient desert lifestyle is vanishing.

Nubians come from the narrow valley south of Aswan. These people once farmed the area inundated by Aswan Dam; displaced, many have drifted north to work as laborers or shopkeepers in cities. 

Customs and Etiquette:
Egyptians have been raised in a social environment steeped in Islam, making Egyptians generally charming, caring, hospitable and helpful hosts.

 
In general, Egyptians are most accommodating and will extend themselves to help you and respond to any questions—whether they know the correct answer or not.
The welcome from most Egyptians is sincere, and if they adopt you as a friend there is little they won't do for you. However, be aware that casual Egyptian acquaintances may offer extra services or gifts and will expect something in return.

Add to: del.icio.us | Digg

Book This Tour Package

Name:

Email:

Telephone:

Your comment: