Festivals of Egypt
Egypt
is a wonderous country with many festivals and celebrations.
Some festivals are historic, some are secular and some are
religious.
Sham
al-Naseem
Both Muslims and Christians in Egypt welcome the first day
of Spring with a festive picnic called Sham al-Naseem, which
means “the smell of spring”.
On the twenty-first of March, the people gather for outdoor
picnics. “Midamis” (kidney beans) and “fasiyah”
(dried fish) are the traditional food of the day. Some people
boat on the River Nile, and enjoy their picnics there. Everyone
greets each other kindly, saying "al Salamu Alaycum",
which means "Peace be with you."
Moulid
an-Nabi
The Prophet Mohammed's birthday is celebrated at “Moulid
an-Nabi”. This festival includes parades in the city
streets and lights, feasts, drummers and special sweets. Traditional
foods include “Halawet el-Moulid” (a sweet), “Hummus”,
and “Aroussa al Moulid” (candy doll) for the children.
It is held during the 3rd month of the Islamic calendar each
year, and is a happy occasion shared with friends and family.
Ramadan
More than 90% of the Egyptian population is Muslim and Ramadan
is a very important festival in the Islamic calendar. It is
celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar,
to honour the time when the Qu’ran was revealed to the
prophet Mohammed. Followers of the Islamic faith fast for
the entire month, and there is no eating, drinking, or smoking
from sunrise until sunset. Certain exceptions are made for
small children (those under the age of 10), pregnant and nursing
women, and the elderly. Those who do not fast, do so discreetly.
In
Egypt, working hours are often reduced during Ramadan to allow
for more prayer and reflection. The fast is broken each night
with the meal referred to as “Iftar”. Iftar is
often taken with friends and family and the mood is festive.
Traditional music and entertainment is enjoyed throughout
the night, and many stay awake until dawn. Mosques and streets
are lit up with beautiful colours each evening and it is a
joyous time throughout the nation.
The
end of Ramadan and the end of the fasting is marked with a
festival called Eid-al-Fitr and is celebrated with large feasts.
Because the Islamic calendar differs from the Western calendar,
Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr are not fluctuating dates on the Western
calendar (moving up by about 11 days each year, as the Islamic
calendar is based on the lunar calendar and the Western [or
Gregorian] calendar is based on the solar calendar).
Egyptian
Christmas
While most of the Egyptian population is Muslim, there is
a small but significant community of Christians belonging
to the Coptic Orthodox Church. For the Coptic Christians of
Egypt, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th each year.
The
Christmas season marks a time of fasting and vegetarianism
for the community, and no meat or milk is taken from November
25th to the night of January 6th. Churches and Christian homes
are festooned with lights, Christmas trees and manger scenes
in the week leading up to Christmas, and on Christmas Eve,
the 6th of January, celebrations in churches are held and
the bells of the churches ring out. The Pope of the Orthodox
Church begins prayers at the big Cathedral in Cairo at 11
p.m., and this service is broadcasted on Egyptian television.
Christmas
Day marks the end of fasting and picnics on the Nile are common
places for celebrations. Children are given El 'aidia, the
feast gift, to buy toys or sweets such as ice cream or sugar
cane juice.
Folktales of Egypt
by Shamy Hasan El (Author), Hasan M. El-Shamy (Editor),
Richard Mercer Dorson (Unknown)
Raks
Sharki: Classic Egyptian Dance Music
Mokhtar Al-Said
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