Product Description

How do Egyptian Muslims celebrate Ramadan? How do Copts Egyptian Christians celebrate Easter? What should you expect to find on the table when invited to eat in an Egyptian home? What do you say when an Egyptian colleague sneezes? Exactly what do Egyptians do with a mortar and pestle, a sieve, and a bag of nuts seven days after the birth of a baby? Samia Abdennour, once an outsider from Palestine, now thoroughly at home in Egypt, is here to tell you all about these matters and many more. In a book that aims to introduce the unfamiliar newcomer or interested foreign reader to the hows, whats, and whys of Egyptians life, the author covers such diverse topics as birth, marriage, and death; religious festivals and fasting; food in the home and on the street; business etiquette and terms of politeness. She describes how some traditions differ between the two religious communities, the Muslims and the Copts, and how some customs are shared by all Egyptians like the spring festival of Shamm al-Nisim (smelling the breezes) that goes back to pharaonic times. With Egyptian Customs and Festivals, you need never be at a loss in a social situation in Egypt or fail to understand what your neighbors are up to. Illustrated throughout with color photographs of daily life and special occasions, this fascinating and informative book is a must-have for anyone new to Egyptian culture.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #941525 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

About the Author
Samia Abdennour is the author of the bestselling Egyptian Cooking and Other Middle Eastern Recipes (AUC Press, revised edition 2005).

Customer Reviews

An absolute "must-read" for anyone visiting Egypt
Samia Abdennour, a Palestinian now thoroughly at home in Egypt, presents Egyptian Customs and Festivals, a guide for travelers, visitors, and anyone unfamiliar with Egyptian customs. Chapters teach the reader basic Egyptian etiquette and a crash course on cultural norms concerning meals at home or on the street, general social interaction, comforting a friend after the loss of a loved one, marriage and divorce, and other matters. Egyptian Customs and Festivals offers information concerning what is considered appropriate among both Muslim and Christian Egyptians, with the caveat that religion in general is best avoided as a topic of discussion. "As a sign of respect it is advisable for everyone - foreigners, non-Muslims, and non-fasting people - to abstain from eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours in Ramadan." A handful of color illustrations enhance this highly practical and useful guide. An absolute "must-read" for anyone visiting Egypt or cultivating ties with Egyptian friends or business associates.