Every country has recognized holidays, events, and certain identities that make it unique.
Egypt is no exception to this, in fact, Egypt is a melting pot of cultures and ideas that blend together to create what it is today.
Obviously for a country as old as Egypt, we could cover traditions that range from today back to the unified kingdom in 3150 BC. However, I will be covering modern traditions in this entry.
- Significance of time and relationships
Egypt, a Muslim country, places a lot of importance on respect of elders and family. However, what may come as a surprise is the weight of time and time management.
In the Egyptian culture, the longer one visits dictates the importance of the relationship. (EX. I will spend more time with my father when I visit him than his coworker would.)
However, while this may be the case for time spent, punctuality is not a common practice in Egypt, and often times won’t go recognized, even for official business!
- Hospitality
Hospitality is very important in Muslim countries. While the USA may follow a certain degree of hospitality, nobody takes more priority than Muslims.
An Egyptian household is known for honoring guests as if they werre superiors, and are given the best seat at the table during meals. However, as a guest, there are still customs you are expected to uphold a certain degree of mutuality. (EX. Accept the food that you are provided, allow the host to serve you, and make sure to finish your food.)
What did you know about these niche Egyptian/Muslim traditions? How do they compare to the United States?
sources can be found HERE, and HERE
- Benjamin Myers