Egypian Red Sea Culture & Traditions

For majority of the population (peasant farmers), life and lifestyle have changed little for hundreds of years. The 20th century has introduced coco-cola, Levis and TV. Elements of western pop music are increasingly being integrated into contemporary Egyptian music. A common saying among most Egyptians is "malesh" meaning, "What can I do?"

Islam is the major religion in Egypt with Coptic Christians being the second. The essence of Islam is the belief that there is only one God, and that it is the duty of the people to believe in and serve Him in the manner laid out in the Quran. In Arabic, Islam means submission and a Muslim is one who submits to God's will. Muslims are called to prayer five times a day, every day from the minarets of mosques. Islamic law forbids drinking alcohol.

Before the arrival of Islam, Christianity was the major religion in Egypt. The Coptic Church is ruled by a patriarch. The Coptic language is still used in religious ceremonies with some Arabic for the benefit of the congregation. Their language is based on the Greek alphabet with seven additional characters taken from hieroglyphics.

Egypt is famous for belly dancing which has been found recorded in tomb paintings dating as far back as the Pharaohs. In the past, there has been much conflict in Egypt over the respectability of belly dancing. However, belly dancing is an Egyptian art form that has made it internationally where it is taught at night schools and community centers worldwide. Cairo hosts an annual belly dancing festival.


Ahwa is the Arabic word that means both coffee and coffeehouse. An age-old tradition and national pastime, drinking coffee at one of Egypt's many coffeehouses is an experience not to be missed. Most of the coffeehouses still cater to men who meet with their friends to sip coffee, play backgammon, smoke sheeshas and converse. However, women and sometimes even families are a more common sight today. Ahwa can be ordered many ways - ahwa sada is black, ahwa ariha is slightly sweet, ahwa mazboot is medium sweet and ahwa ziyada is extremely sweet. Most Egyptian like their coffee very sweet because it cuts any bitterness the coffee may have. Traditional ahwa is not served with milk.