|
|
Egypt
has an estimated population of 70 million people, of which 37
percent are under the age of fifteen, and an annual population
growth of two percent.
Who are Egyptians? They are the descendants of peasants and pashas
alike, asserting half-jokingly but nonetheless proudly that they
are the descendants of the great Pharaohs. To some the boast was
never intended literally, yet it signifies that they consider
themselves ancient Egyptians rather than Arabs or Africans.
Islam's profound influence is the most evident characteristic
of both modern and old Egypt, with five frequent calls for prayers
coming from minarets that rise at every turn. Spiraling to the
skies, the minarets put modern skyscrapers into shame by their
distinct beauty.
Throughout Egypt's history and particularly in the urban centers,
Egyptians have influenced, been influenced by and intermixed with
people from east, north, as well as south.
Egyptians maybe distinguished through the governorate or place
in which they were born; southward toward Sudan, the tall, dark-skinned
Nubians are more evident. Upper Egyptians (from up the Nile, which
is the only river in the world to flow from South to North) who
are not Nubians proudly refer to themselves as Sa'idis Sa'id or
Upper Egypt). Fellahin is the general term for agrarian peasants,
many of whom have migrated from the countryside to the cities
(Cairo mainly) to find work. Bedouins and berbers are found in
deserts and oases.
The deep divide in Egyptian society is not racial, religious,
or geographical. The only difference is economic, and it is significantly
profound.
Egypt has always been hospitable to foreigners, sometimes to its
detriment. An estimated 10,000 Americans, 3,500 Britons, 3,000
French, 3,000 Germans and thousands of other Europeans and Africans
are living and working in Egypt. There are also many Latin Americans
and a larger number of Middle Easterners, who maintain residence
and do business in comparatively free-wheeling Cairo, plus Asians
from India and Philippines.
Egyptian women maintain a highly respected position in Egyptian
society and most of the women who wear a veil do so out of strict
religious piety or as a strategy to avoid unwanted attention.
Women also are commonly accepted in the professional fields. However,
despite the present day relaxation of women's roles, it is best
not to engage unknown women in conversation, since some family
customs forbid unsolicited relations.
Physical proximity and affection between members of the same sex
is closer than that of the Western world and much farther apart
between members of the opposite sex. In fact, good friends of
the same sex may walk hand in hand, kiss, and hug in public. Yet,
except for married or engaged couples that walk arm in arm, a
man does not touch a woman in public. It is impolite for the bottom
of one's foot to point at another person, and feet should not
be propped on a table or chair in the presence of others. Pointing
at a person is impolite, as is walking in front of a praying person.
|
|
