The country of Egypt is known for its famous pyramids, that is the first thing that comes to mind when we hear or see that name. But there are more treasures that Egypt hide from the whole world, from the attractions that local and international tourists flock to all throughout the year, to their history that is well documented and has been a helpful guide for all of us, not just in Africa and Middle Eastern part of the world, in discovering how the civilization has evolved since the beginning of time and their culture that is worth knowing. That is what this article will tackle.
Located in the African continent, Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is home to iconic landmarks such as the Giza Necropolis, or the Giza Pyramid Complex where the Great Pyramid is located. This world-famous spot serves as the tomb of Khufu, a pharaoh from the Fourth Dynasty. It has been standing strong since the 26th Century BCE and has been considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by UNESCO. These patches of man-made monuments that also served as cemeteries at that time are located in Giza, Egypt, a few kilometers away from the capital city of Cairo.
Ancient Egyptians followed sacred rites to bury their loved ones as they strongly believed in the idea of living in the afterlife. They used to pamper and take good care of the deceased person through the process of mummification, wherein the bodies would be preserved to be reborn in the afterlife. This tradition was not just applied to humans, even animals were turned into mummies.
It is also believed that the mountain that Moses climbed and where the ten commandments were bestowed upon him was located in Egypt, which was Mount Sinai. This pilgrimage is located in the Sinai Peninsula and is treasured by both Christians and Islams. On this mountain also, tourists can find the Saint Catherine Monastery, which is also declared one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. More than that, several mosques and temples dot the lands of Egypt, such as the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, which was featured in the James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me,” Temple of Hatshepsut and the Memnon Colossi, which honors the sole female pharaoh Queen Hatshepsut, and the temple of Kom Ombo that are dedicated to gods Sobek and Haroeris.
If you get tired of seeing the desert and the land, Egypt also offers tours of their Red Sea Reef where visitors can dive and be one with the fish. There are also resorts found along the west coast of the country. Or visitors can also explore Dahab, a coastal community located in the Gulf of Aqaba. This place is friendly for swimmers, scuba divers, and windsurfers, and around the area, there are jeep excursions.
The Nile, the longest river in the whole world, is a very important part of not just the history of Egypt but the history of the whole world. Ever since the Stone Age, the Nile has been a vehicle for the development of civilization in Egypt. As the river used to overflow, it added silt to the soil which made the land so fertile, Ancient Egyptians planted various crops from wheat to flax and other produce they could cultivate. The river was believed to be under the power of a God named Hapi, who controlled the flood. The flow of the river was a symbol to the lives of the people back then, where the east was related to a place of birth and growth and the east was a place of death, likened to how the sun, god Ra as they called it, rises from the east and sets in the west.
Just like other countries, Egypt was also a monarchy, colonized by and under the British Empire until 1922. Then they declared themselves a republic country in 1952, collided with Syria in 1958, and established the United Arab Republic which would dissolve in the next three years. Egypt survived becoming a battlefield against armed conflicts with Israel in a few occurrences in history and is now a semi-presidential republic.
Just like any country, Egypt has its flaws too. Human rights groups Amnesty International, Freedom House, and Human Rights Watch have criticized the country for how they handle the freedom of the citizens, and the issues surrounding the arrests of several activists who have strongly opposed the government.
On the other hand, Egypt boasts its delicacies and traditional food that have spread all over the world. The country’s national dish is the koshari, which can be found in either restaurant or in the streets. It is believed that this dish originated in India, the name came from the word “khichiri” which roughly translates to rice or lentils. The dish was part of the things that the British Colonization left for Egypt, which they accepted in the long run as part of their cuisine. Another one is falafel, a deep-fried fritter made from either fava beans or ground chickpeas, or broad beans, with various herbs and spices. It is famous in the Mediterranean or Middle Eastern part of the world. It can be wrapped in pita, a flatbread, paired with tahini sauce or hummus, or can be eaten as it is. Another is baba ghanoush which is considered an appetizer, made of roasted or broiled eggplant. The dish is baked with lemon juice, olive oil, tahini, and other seasonings. These are just three in the long list of delicious meals Egypt offers in their country and to the whole world.
The culture of the Egyptians is centered on their history and traditions, a fusion of different cultures back from when they were developing along the Nile, to the time they were colonized by Britain, until now under a republic government. Egyptians are very friendly to tourists and foreigners. That's why people keep on coming back to revisit the warmth and welcome of the locals who offer them their brightest smiles. With this comforting approach to their visitors, there is an assurance that the visitors will feel safe all throughout their stay in Egypt.
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