(Notation: This article was kindly provided by
Nature Travel,
operated by Gasser Riad, a member in good standing with the
AETBI,)
Egypt provides many opportunities to tourists for cultural
exchange. Indeed, travel operators have lately been innovative in
this regard, though there seems to have always been such
opportunities. These days, one may take a tour that includes staying
with an Egyptian family, and many tours provide for a dinner at the
home of an Egyptian family. In fact, these exchanges are often as
rewarding for the host family as they are for the tourists, as
Egyptians seem to have a natural curiosity
of foreigners and enjoy
finding out about their culture.
One of the oldest forms of cultural exchange is the
Bedouin,
or depending on the region, Nubian Dinner. These are most frequently
campfire affairs and may include some entertainment. Nubian dinners
particularly, usually provided for in more touristic areas of
southern Egypt, can be well orchestrated events, with professional
bands and entertainers.
Bedouin
dinners often take place in more remote locations and, while
the entertainment might be more crude, it is nevertheless interesting
and authentic.
Some days ago I went to the
Bedouin
Dinner in El Wady in the
Sinai. We were driven by jeep to the bottom of the mountain.
From there, we took the camels and were accompanied by Bedouin
guides as we wound our way up through the mountains.
That was amazing! Continuing up the path we could see a picturesque
view of
Nuweiba, the quaint beachside resort town on the eastern shore
of the Sinai, and
across the gulf of Aqaba, the majestic mountains along the coast of
Saudi Arabia. Many people don't think of Saudi Arabia as having
mountains, but of course they do, and they make a wonderful backdrop
to the gulf of Aqaba.
The mountains looked simply fantastic. Riding camels we could
leisurely enjoy their beauty. Veins of color flow through these
rugged mountains, and the different shapes and colors of the rocks,
highlighted by sand dunes strewn with boulders are a memory we will
forever carry in our souls.
Our camel ride lasted for about 40 minutes. Many people may think
in terms of camels trodding through the desert, but they are actually
very good on these mountain paths, as anyone who has ascended
Mount
Sinai can attest. For
Bedouin
children, they also make great diving platforms in the shallow shore
waters of the
Gulf of Aqaba.
As the path zigzagged its way to the top of the mountain, we were
met by Ahmed and Aied, two Bedouins, who formally extended to us an
initiation to dinner.
Obviously, this was not a catered affair. Everything of course is
made completely from scratch. The Bedouins baked bread, fried sheep
mutton, managed a salad, cooked rice and even made traditional
herbal Bedouin
Tea. It was a joy to watch, and at the same time, provided us time
to get to know these
warm and delightful people. Talking to them, we
began to perceive at least a nominal understanding of traditional
Bedouin life.
Some Bedouins have become modernized, working and sometimes even owning tourist facilities in the Sinai. This is especially true of the very southern part of the Sinai. However, many others are isolated in their adverse Sinai desert environment and therefore have held on to their traditional way of life, managing to maintain their pristine culture throughout the centuries during very distinct periods.
Bedouins can be recognized by their lifestyle, specific dialects,
social structures and culture. They are also organized loosely into
tribes that hold onto specific ranges of territory in the
Sinai. However, a band
within these tribes is usually made up of an extended family. The
size of these groups may very considerably.
Bedouins normally migrate only during specific parts of the year,
depending on grazing conditions. In winter, when there is some
precipitation, they migrate deeper into the desert, while they seek
refuge around secure water sources in the hot and dry summer.
For
temporary quarters, Bedouins live in tents made of goat or camel
hair, as well as fibers from plants. These tents are normally black
in color. However, they also construct more permanent housing in
small settlements that normally only accommodate extended families.
These are usually unadorned, simple houses, built from mud and
stone.
The dinner was nice, the food was good, but the company was perhaps
the best of all. As it began to get dark, it seemed as though
millions of stars burst into the pristine sky, here in this
desolate campground far away from the city lights. The moon was all
aglow, and everything was quite and peaceful. It was all just a
paradise in the Sinai.
It was an unforgettable experience of exploration, both cultural and
physical, and an experience that defies words. One must do this
oneself to fully appreciate a simple dinner but a grand moment.
A bit of very authentic entertainment
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Last Updated: 08/23/2006