Page 12 - issue 29 En

ELITE ISSUE 29, MARCH 2021

We cannot talk about Siwa’s customs and traditions without
addressing their distinctive language. On the students’ side,
they saw that Siwa’s adherence to the “Amazigh” language -
even if some of them thought it was Arabic but with a
different dialect - represents a form of preserving heritage, a
feature that Cairo residents lack it as nowadays they have
tendency to use foreign languages instead of Arabic language.
While the people of Siwa told us that the origin of this
language - which is considered their first language and not
Arabic - is North Africa, especially the countries of the
Maghreb, and they inherited it from their ancestors. Although
they speak it until now, but they are ignorant of its letters and
writing, unlike the people of Morocco who cared about it and
recognized it. As for Siwa, because the language was affected
by the Egyptian colloquial, its residents began to take more
steps to preserve it because it is part of their heritage, by doing
various activities using it and documenting it through books,
while also making sure to speak Arabic with children so that
they become familiar with it and even not they face
difficulties in communicating later Turning to whether Siwa
and its people are isolated from society or not? the students We ended by talking about the most important tourist
saw that tourists from all over the world come to it, along with attractions in Siwa. Both students and Siwa people mentioned
foreigners residing in it and who speak the Amazigh dialect the most important facades divided between shrines for those
like Siwa people completely, does not make them isolated at interested in Archeology, such as the Alexander Temple, also
all. And that the distance of Siwa from the central called "The Temple of the Oasis / Revelation / Predictions"
governorates and the difference in customs and traditions can because it was said that the revelation of God Amun
generate a feeling of isolation for tourists, not for their descended on the priests of his temple to speak with them.
residents. The people of Siwa agreed with this opinion. In And the “Umm Ubaidah” temple and the castle of "Shali".
addition to tourism, Siwa’s people used to travel for work and And shrines for those interested in nature and medical tourism
education in other governorates because there was no such as salt lakes, sulfur springs that help to heal from skin
university in it, and thus they easily integrated with society, diseases, “Dakrour” Mountain, which is known for its sands
especially as they are fluent in the colloquial dialect. treated for many diseases, including rheumatism and the
Therefore, there is no feeling of marginalization, especially cemeteries of “Jabal al-Mawta” of Pharaonic origin, famous
with the presence of representatives representing Siwa in the for their use in World War II as a hideout for them after they
House of Representatives, such as Representative "Fathia removed what was in them Of corpses. Finally, the
Senussi". We continued by talking about the services that the recreational attractions such as Ain Cleopatra, and safari in
oasis needs, and the students suggested that it needs to the sand oasis and the island of "Fintas", and enjoy watching
develop its infrastructure to be a tourist destination linked to the sunset in it.
the rest of the regions and governorates through a network of
roads and transportation. In addition to catering services and And Finally, after we finished our tour in the "land of palm
entertainment, which will help attract tourists. The people of trees", and after we traced the history and heritage of Siwa
Siwa added that it also needs to develop in tourism services in that is distinctive and unique, which is considered a great
a way that serves the Siwa nature in terms of hotel wealth for Egypt, we became aware of the reason for the
decorations, schools, shops, etc., as well as providing the oasis strong desire of Siwa residents to preserve their local heritage,
with fresh water and services for the banking, health and customs and traditions, in the midst of many of Egypt's other
education sectors. There is only one post office and one treasures. With a distinctive character, Siwa comes at the first
central hospital, which is not sufficiently qualified. From the of the shrines, representing a great treasure for researchers and
medical services. All this with the importance of holding tourists from all over the world.
awareness sessions about its history and the heritage it
contains, especially for young people, while being careful not
to make changes that lose Siwa's heritage and its own
atmosphere.

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