Culture and Traditions

Egyptian Society & Culture

Attitudes: 

Egyptian people are generally very helpful, so tourists rarely have trouble finding assistance with directions or recommendations. It is not unusual for an entire crowd of Egyptians to surround you trying to answer a query. They stand very close when speaking, requiring very little personal space. Egyptians are accustomed to refusing every invitation the first time it was offered, so if your offer is genuine, repeat it a second time. The same goes with invitations from Egyptian people. They will offer something once out of politeness, but you know the offer is sincere if it is repeated. If you accept an invitation into an Egyptian home, such as for a meal, and you do not show, the hosts would be humiliated.

Ethnicity:

Egypt has a population of about 67 million people. The official language is Arabic. About 99 percent of the Egyptian population comes from Eastern Hamitic backgrounds. This includes ancient Egyptian descendants, Bedouins and Berbers. The remaining 1 percent is comprised of Greek, Nubian, Armenian, Italian and French ethnicity. The majority of the Egyptian population is concentrated around the Nile River Valley and the Nile Delta. A good estimate is that about half the population is from peasantry, while the other half are rich or socially elite. Citizens living in rural areas are mostly peasants earning a living through farming. Egypt's prime location, straddling from North Africa across the Suez Canal into Asia, makes it the center of the Arab world. It is often thought to be the intellectual leader of the Middle East, having been the first to open up to communications with the Western world.

Religion:

Islam is practised by the majority of Egyptians and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives. About 90 percent of the Egyptian population are Sunni Muslims, 8 percent are Coptic Christians and the remaining 2 percent are Jewish or of other Christian denominations. The Islamic values are fundamental in personal and political aspects for all citizens, including Christians.

Islam emanated from what is today Saudi Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last of God's emissaries (following in the footsteps of Jesus, Moses, Abraham, etc) to bring revelation to mankind. He was distinguished with bringing a message for the whole of mankind, rather than just to a certain peoples. As Moses brought the Torah and Jesus the Bible, Muhammad brought the last book, the Quran. The Quran and the actions of the Prophet (the Sunnah) are used as the basis for all guidance in the religion. 

Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening. The exact time is listed in the local newspaper each day. Friday is the Muslim holy day. Everything is closed. Many companies also close on Thursday, making the weekend Thursday and Friday.

During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing.Expatriates are not required to fast; however, they must not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public. Each night at sunset, families and friends gather together to celebrate the breaking of the fast (iftar). The festivities often continue well into the night. In general, things happen more slowly during Ramadan. Many businesses operate on a reduced schedule. Shops may be open and closed at unusual times.

Communications

Egypt is the most progressive country in the Middle East is the field of media. Journalism, film, television, music and the arts are of supreme importance in Egyptian culture. Egypt has a press that is basically free, especially when compared to the censorship applied in other Arab nations. The biggest newspaper in the country is called "Al Ahram," but other papers are also distributed. Egypt's radio broadcasting system transmits programs throughout the Arab world in Arabic, English, French and other languages. Egyptian television is controlled by the government, with five national television channels. Egypt is the only Arab country with a movie industry and has been making movies since the 1930s. Egypt is also home to live entertainment venues, such as the Cairo Opera House, National Puppet Theater, Pocket Theater and National Symphony. The country has several museums that boast the ancient art traditions and has produced a Nobel prize winner in literature.

Women and Clothing:

Women in Egypt are expected to be conservative and modest, in following with the Islamic principles for women. Unknown men should never approach an Egyptian women; instead questions and concerns should be addressed toward other men. A large percentage of Egyptian women maintain their virginity until marriage, because virginity is seen as a sign of morality and men prefer to marry virgin women. Women are educated and often the pride of her parents until she is married. Women are widely present within the professional workforce, working as doctors, lawyers, college professors and diplomats. Women often wear a head scarf as a symbol of modesty and to discourage male advances in the professional field. They are expected to keep their arms and legs covered, especially in religious arenas.

Family Values: 

The family is the most significant unit of Egyptian society.

Kinship plays an important role in all social relations.

The individual is always subordinate to the family, tribe or group.

Nepotism is viewed positively, since it is patronage of one's family.

The family consists of both the nuclear and the extended family.

Egyptian Honour: 

Honour is an important facet of interpersonal relationships.

Respect and esteem for people is both a right and an obligation.

An individual's honour is intricately entwined with the reputation and honour of everyone in their family.

Honour requires that Egyptians demonstrate hospitality to friends and guests.

It also dictates that people dress as well as their financial circumstances allow, and show proper respect and deference to their elders and those in authority.

A man's word is considered his bond and to go back on your word is to bring dishonour to your family.

Social Class: 

Social class is very apparent in Egypt since it determines your access to power and position.

The social class an Egyptian is born into dictates their everyday life and the opportunities they will have.

There are three social classes: upper, middle, and lower.

Status is defined more by family background than by absolute wealth.

There is little social mobility.