The traditions and customs of Egypt have been formed over millennia. They intricately intertwine norms of religious behavior, love of pleasure and innate cheerfulness, responsiveness and willingness to help even a stranger and a constant search for personal gain.
The Egyptians are very conservative people. The fidelity of the people to the traditions of Egypt can only be envied, and sometimes even sympathized. It so happened historically that most of the population is now Muslims, just over 10% are Orthodox Christians, Copts. No matter how religion influences lifestyle and thinking, communicating with both of them, you understand how much they have in common, starting with love for their country and ending with family customs. Everyone considers themselves the direct descendants of the pharaohs, are kept with royal dignity.
Awesome vacation in Egypt
An incredible historical heritage, sunny weather throughout the year, the fabulous Red Sea and affordable prices have made Egypt one of the best countries to relax on the planet. Millions of tourists annually rush to the shores that became home, where you can sunbathe on the beach in the cold Russian winter, swim, eat plenty of fruit, go on interesting excursions, go to discos.
Hospitality and friendliness of the local population are practically inexhaustible. In the resort of Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam, luxurious hotels with generous food and entertainment programs, spa facilities have been built. Thousands of diving clubs with professional instructors work in the whole country, where you can get initial training for diving or improve your qualifications.
Tours in Egypt
From the southern resorts it is convenient to go to Ancient Thebes, on the site of which Luxor is now located, visit the famous temples of Karnak, Hatshepsut, as well as go to the marvelous city of Aswan, get acquainted with the traditions of the Nubian people, admire the Nile and the Aswan reservoir, built with the help of the USSR. Not far from Hurghada is the monastery of St. Anthony and Paul.
Staying in Sharm-l-Sheikh, you can go to the monastery of St. Catherine, Alexandria, located on the Mediterranean coast. Everyone wants to go to Cairo to the pyramids.
How to behave in the country?
Briefly, the rule of conduct in Egypt is: "Share your smile, and she will come back to you more than once."
It is enough to behave at ease and politely. When communicating, one must take into account that innate curiosity and some importunity are part of the Egyptian mentality, its manifestations must be taken calmly.
How to dress?
No matter how much they say that Egypt is a Muslim country in which a certain dress code is respected, nothing will stop compatriots from walking in shorts-thongs, but even more impressive is the appearance of white men with a naked sweaty torso in shorts and shorts . According to tradition, in Egypt, quite satisfying clothing requirements for tourists and visitors, the most important of which is compliance with the measure.
How to ride a taxi?
In order not to have conflicts with taxi drivers, prices need to be negotiated in advance, and money should be prepared without change. Otherwise, at the end of the trip, it turns out that you will pay much more than you planned.
In the culture and traditions of Egypt, the basis of human relationships is respect and fantastic patience.
Marriage: for love or for convenience?
Until recently, marriage in Egypt was a family affair, little touching on issues of love. Now more and more marriages are made at the personal choice of the spouses, and Muslim unions created at the insistence of their parents increasingly end in quick divorces.
Men who, according to Sharia, can have 4 official wives, often do not find it difficult to file for divorces, and a foreign wife is not always considered necessary to inform about an imminent wedding with an Egyptian or about having a family in a distant village with a cheerful brood of curly babies.
Christians can only marry once, breaking the bond of marriage is not possible. By the wedding, the groom must earn a flat and gold for the chosen one, and the bride's family is engaged in the equipment of the kitchen of the future housing.
Wedding and family life
Marriage is held on the first day of the wedding ceremony in a mosque or church. The central point of the program is a photo shoot. Here the Egyptian photographers have succeeded pretty much, the pictures are excellent. In the morning, the bride spends half a day in the salon to stick eyelashes, make a hairstyle and incredible makeup, including whitening the skin.
A wedding escort travels around the city, trying to make as much noise as possible with drums, music and songs.
The rich rent restaurants, but you can organize a wedding in a huge tent, which crashes on the street, a huge number of relatives and friends are invited there. No one counts on refreshments. It is possible that they will offer sweets and soft drinks, that's all. The main thing is a good mood, music and dancing.
Until now, virginity in Egypt is a great value, a necessary condition for successful marriage. If funds allow, then a belly dancer is invited to the wedding, who spins all evening in dances around the bride and groom, probably with the aim of encouraging, energizing them before the upcoming action.
Egyptian husbands are breadwinners and breadwinners, and the woman is responsible for the order in the house, delicious food, looks after the children. Although the economic crisis is changing the foundations, an increasing number of Egyptians are standing behind store shelves, working in the service sector, in medical institutions.
Tip
One of the generally accepted traditions in Egypt is to give bakshish wherever there is reason to express gratitude for the services received. The Egyptians themselves pay for all additional gestures carried out in their direction. They brought the goods from the store to a taxi, served in a cafe or restaurant - please get a reward, even if it is one pound.
And it’s not a pity for fragrant hookah or amazing Turkish coffee, called “agva” here, which is much tastier than in Turkey. If you need some sugar, say “sugar shvaya”, if you order “masbut”, this will mean the average amount. By tradition in Egypt they love everything very sweet. If you do not stipulate a “sugar moment”, they will bring you coffee syrup by stirring at least three teaspoons of sugar in a small cup.
Mother's Day and Spring
Love and respect for parents here are manifested in tireless care and help. Many generations often live in the same house, which is built as necessary. Since 1956, a tradition has been introduced in Egypt to celebrate Mother's Day on March 21, which was liked by all residents. In addition to congratulations on Mother's Day, parents receive monthly assistance from older sons in the amount established by the family.
If we talk briefly about the traditions in Egypt, we can say that most of them are associated with religious holidays and fasting, but some have arisen long before the advent of religions, for example, the Nile Spill Day, the celebration of the meeting of spring, which is celebrated for 4,500 years, many others.