Page 11 - issue 29 En

ELITE ISSUE 29, MARCH 2021

Turning on how to cope with the desert climate of Siwa and
describing their daily routine with the help of the Siwa people
or those who visited it from among the students, the students
denounced the ability of the people of Siwa to coexist with the
climate of biting cold in winter and very hot in summer - which
they could not bear during their visit to it - while the people of
Siwa mentioned that the nature of the place is what dictates
living conditions, and since the human nature is hereditary, so
the body of the individual residing in Siwa has become adapted
to the desert nature. In addition to the houses built using
natural ingredients based on mud, which protected their people
from the intense heat and cold of the night, however using
those houses made their summers damp and their winters
warm. This is besides the fact that their health is strong and
resilient because they are used to starting their day since dawn,
and each of them practicing their work until sunset, so they
stay up at night in a warm atmosphere. Moreover, they always
use the gifts that God gave them, starting from lands full of
springs and wells and ending with basic agricultural crops When talking about the most famous and strangest Siwa
such as dates and olives, so all houses in Siwa don’t live customs and traditions, the students ’answers were limited to
without these good things. Therefore, the abundance of food their knowledge of some of the customs of marriage, which is
and drink and other factors that gave Siwa people a sense of that the wedding may last for seven days and that the bride’s
self-sufficiency and adaptation to the general climate of the dress is embroidered with seashells and the local and unique
oasis. The two sides - the students and the people of Siwa - Siwi dress, in addition to the Amazigh language spoken by the
agreed that the nature of Siwa invites a feeling of activity and Siwa people and their handicrafts that are inherited to
refreshment in the souls of those who visit it or who live in it. Generations such as embroidery, silver, pottery, salt
The students - upon their visit - woke up early to visit the industries, making dates and drying them. Here, the Siwa
various landmarks of Siwa and to participate in its activities people told us about some of their most famous customs and
during the day as well as at night, as they gathered together to foods - which differ according to the occasion. In the wedding
enjoy tea parties and night parties. we see the spirit of cooperation when the groom's friends go
to the field to take the "karchef" plant to make a building
Opinions were divided when the students were asked about material with a unique composition of salt and other materials
whether they see themselves residing in Siwa. On the one and mix it with clay to build a home for the newlyweds. The
hand, some thought that of course they would like to go to the “katb El- ketab” held on Thursday in the mosque, which is
oasis for a visit for several days and enjoy its ancient history followed by religious evenings and meals such as the
and distinctive climate. However, the desert nature of Siwa and "Ashngout", which is the grilled duck / chicken covered with
that its social nature differs from Cairo will make it difficult for crepe or tortillas - served on the wedding night - and the
them to stay there for a long time. While others wished to live "Angeel" bread made from crushed dates and flour - and
there to get away from the hustle and bustle of Cairo, served to the newlyweds on the wedding night and to guests at
preferring calm and simplicity. On the other hand, the people the wedding party - the "labsis", which is a type of sweets, and
of Siwa saw that whoever used to travel and see other cities the "Adshish", which is a wheat cooked in soup - and usually
other than Siwa would return to it after realizing the value of served on the last days of the wedding. As Birth, instead of
nature, tranquility, stability, psychological comfort, spacious going hospitals, the people of Siwa call for an old woman
lands and distinctive house shapes, especially since the pace with experience in giving birth. In the past, they used to take
and nature of life in Cairo is characterized by speed and the newborn immediately after birth to the shrine of "Sidi
crowding, completely opposite to life in Siwa. As for the youth Soliman" to make a feast before returning to his mother, with
and those who did not have the opportunity to travel and visit serving of "tanqutaat", which is the local pasta, to the guests
different cities, we see them overwhelmed with a bit of in the first days after birth. As for the Festivals; On Eid al-
curiosity to know what life outside the oasis looks like in terms Adha, people come before the prayer with salt from the salt
of mobility, job opportunities, luxury, etc., and therefore we lakes and after that they grill meat using salt and firewood. As
find them unable to feel the advantages of life in Siwa and the for Eid al-Fitr, what differs from the people in Cairo and in
result is their amazement with everything that is in the Siwa that Siwa people distribute sweets, cookies or money to
cities. those who fast for the first time.

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