Urban tastes, however, have been most heavily and diversely influenced from abroad. Other universities in the Cairo area include Cairo University, with over 30,000 students, Ayn Shams University, and al-Azhar University, one of the oldest and most prestigious theological schools in the Islamic world. One common dish is kushari, a mixture of rice, pasta, lentils, and spicy tomato sauce topped with a hot sauce and fried onions. It is usually the practice if buying a soft drink from a vendor that the drink must be finished on the spot, and the bottle returned to the vendor, rather than taking it away. Many of them, like this woman in a factory in Cairo, are in supervisory positions. Most Egyptians have a light breakfast when they wake up, consisting of tea with bread and honey, hard-boiled eggs, and fruit. In the early morning and the late afternoon, the fellahin can be seen in large numbers on the roads, going to or coming from the fields with their farm animals. The husband usually had a senior or chief wifewho was considered higher than the other ones. Women attend markets and are employed in trade, while men stay at home and do the weaving! Many interpretations of Islamic law give women the right to ask for a divorce only in certain circumstances, such as her husband's being mentally ill or infertile. Egypt - Egypt - Housing: Egypt has faced a serious urban housing shortage since World War II. 10 • FAMILY LIFE The family is the center of social organization. At times, they have faced significant oppression, but they have also held positions of power, and their overall role has changed significantly over the c… This has been the result of the need for families to bring in more money in order to live, as well as the increase in women's education. Family life was important to Egyptians. Sometimes vegetables comprise the main ingredient. The veil has been part of traditional dress in Egyptian society - as well as throughout the Middle East - for centuries. Muslims do not eat pork, so most Egyptian food does not include pork products. For Egypt, the outstanding social novel is the Thulathiya (Trilogy) of Najib Mahfuz (born 1912) a long and very comprehensive account of the manner in which modernization affects three generations of a rather typical, if prosperous, Cairene family, the 'Abd al-Jawads. Nobody escapes it. In keeping with Islamic custom, the person is usually buried before sundown on the day of death, or, at the least, within three days. A woman's right to ask for a divorce under any circumstance was put into law in Egypt in 1999. 14) Advertisment for a western film in downtown Cairo. The results of that exam determine which college each student will attend and also which fields of study are open to that student. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, Period of Arab and Turkish governors (639–868), The Mamluk and Ottoman periods (1250–1800), From the French to the British occupation (1798–1882), The French occupation and its consequences (1798–1805), Muḥammad ʿAlī and his successors (1805–82), The period of British domination (1882–1952), The British occupation and the Protectorate (1882–1922). For example, if the first son is named Ali, then the father will be called "Abu Ali," or "Father of Ali," and the mother "Umm Ali," or "Mother of Ali." The people of Egypt a culture built upon for thousands of years. The father stands as the husband and the head of household and is also responsible for the economic well being of the family, the mother usually stayed at home and cared for the children, and small children and other female relatives lived in a special part of … Marriage and family life was very important to the ancient Egyptians. Traditionally, upon divorce, the father is granted custody of any children, and any dowry paid by the groom to the bride's family must be returned. Premium PDF Package. The results of that exam determine which college each student will attend and also which fields of study are open to that student. Life in Cairo is much the same as it is in any other city of the world. Sometimes, each person scoops a portion of the food from the communal dish onto his or her plate, other times, each person simply eats straight from the communal dish. Because of Egypt's Muslim majority, the road to marriage is slightly different than in western societies. Fathers are the authority figures, especially when it comes to major decisions. Most Egyptians have a light breakfast when they wake up, consisting of tea with bread and honey, hard-boiled eggs, and fruit. Education and most religious instruction comes from the family - this is where children learn about societal values. Egypt also has one of the most active movie making industries in the world, producing between sixty and one hundred films every year. In Cairo, formal education is very important. 2) The American University in Cairo, founded in 1919, is one of the most prestigious Egyptian Universities. For forty days after death, there is an official mourning period for the deceased, in which special prayers and rituals are observed, and friends and relatives gather frequently to pay their respects to the surviving relatives. By age 14, ancient Egyptians were considered adults and would have been involved in … When radio and television transmissions were first introduced to the region, men would gather at the coffeehouse to listen to the radio or watch the television. Boys are usually circumcised near birth. People get up in the morning, go to school or work, have meals with their family, spend time with their friends, and go to the supermarket, much the same as your family does. Also much loved is mulūkhiyyah, a thick, gelatinous soup based on the leaf of the Jew’s mallow (Corchorus olitorius) that is served with meat or fowl. Top students can attend the American University in Cairo, which teaches its courses in English. As in other countries of the Middle East, mutton is the most commonly consumed meat. Apartments usually have one large room in the front - the living room, where the family entertains guests. Islamic dress makes a statement that the woman is not to be thought of a sexual being, while sexual harassment, though not as common as in the West, when it does happen tends to be directed toward unveiled women since they are thought of as 'available. Women pass water standing up, men sitting down. However the couple is introduced, the steps toward marriage are the same. Likewise, foreign manners and values, mostly Western, have heavily influenced urban tastes in art, literature, cuisine, and other areas. How is life for teenagers, both men and women? However, such films are often edited to remove offensive material. At present, most Egyptian middle and upper class families have their own radio and television, but the coffeehouses remain popular. Although divorce existed in ancient Egypt, it was rare because of the Egyptians' commitme… Most Cairenes live in apartment buildings. Skirts or dresses (usually ankle length) are more common than pants, though young women often wear slacks or jeans. Such cooperation between secular and religious jurists is common in Egypt and other countries where traditional interpretations are being challenged. Islamic dress makes a statement that the woman is not to be thought of a sexual being, while sexual harassment, though not as common as in the West, when it does happen tends to be directed toward unveiled women since they are thought of as 'available.'. Friends and family come to pay their respects to the surviving spouse or children. A short summary of this paper. Children were considered to be blessings from the gods, which meant that their families took exceptionally good care of them. Today, women serve in all levels of Egyptian society - as doctors, lawyers, scientists, civil servants, and small business owners. Egypt also receives movies from overseas. Camels are well-known for their distinctive "humps", which are actually large fatty deposits and not at all filled with water, contrary to popular belief. Please explain in detail, a day in modern egypt. Just as in other societies, today's Egyptians have strong family values and much faith in religion. Marriage occurs primarily after two families negotiate a marriage for an unmarried son or daughter. Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola are widely available, along with other familiar brands such as Sprite, 7-Up and Fanta Orange Soda. Certain foods are associated with holidays, especially Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. 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