Culture
Culture
Aswan, Egypt's sunniest southern city and ancient frontier town, has a distinctively African atmosphere. The Nile River is the main artery for Egypt and Nubia: the present course of the river, traceable, to at least 25,000 years ago, is a determining factor of the topography of the region. In a relatively rainless region, it is only because of the river's annual flood that these areas became habitable.
In those old days, once the ancient kingdom of Kush, Nubia is the stretch of land next to the Nile from Aswan down to Khartoum in the south. They consisted of seven non-Arab Muslim tribes. From the 1500's until the 1800's, the Ottoman Empire encroached upon the Nubia region. As a result, many Nubians migrated to remote areas along the Nile. Distinct groups evolved and were named according to their locations. For example, those who settled near the Wadi Kenuz became knows as the Kenuzi; those who settled in Dongola became known as the Dongolawi.
Nubians have distinct traditions, architecture, and languages, even though many migrated either to Aswan and Kom Ombo or south to Sudan after Lake Nasser swamped much of their traditional homeland. Nubia contains dozens of sites of archaeological interest, including 24 temples, as well as fortresses and tombs. Many of these, including Dendour, Ellessiya, Amada and Wadi al-Sebowa were menaced by the waters of the High Dam.
The Nubian economy is based on agriculture. During the winter months they grow wheat, barley, millet, beans, peas, and watermelons. A thin, course bread called dura, is one of their basic staple foods. Pieces of the bread are usually piled on top of each other and eaten with vegetables and sauces, or spread with date jelly.
In old Nubia, men migrated to the big cities to find work, while the women farmed the land, cared for the animals, and did household chores. Today, since the land is located far from their dwellings, men do most of the fieldwork while the women work at the home. Some women have also found employment as schoolteachers, public service workers, and seamstresses.
The typical Nubian house is very spacious, with several large rooms that are able to accommodate the extended family members and guests. In the center of each home is an open courtyard. The front of the house is colorfully painted with geometric patterns. Most of the paintings and decorations on the homes have religious connotations. The colorful designs are a distinctive and admired feature of Nubian culture.....
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