The brainchild of Wadi Environmental Science Centre (WESC) and the Egyptian Desert Pioneers Society (EDPS) the “Characters of Egypt festival (Oct. 29-31) is a three-day extravaganza celebrating the cultural heritage of tribes from seven desert areas of Egypt: Siwa and Farafra from the Western Desert, North and South Sinai, Nubia, and the Eastern and Southern Deserts which stretch from Marsa Allam to Alba Mountain.
Held in the pristine Fustat Wadi El Gemal National Park, 45 km south of Marsa Allam on the Red Sea, this first cultural event of its kind will showcase the diversity of fauna and flora in the area and the intricacy of tribal costumes and jewelry. Attendees will also learn how to shadow-read, navigate the desert and will participate with the tribesmen in a variety of activities including music, dance, poetry, sports, games, food tasting, a camel race, educational lectures on the tribes and the environment.
Despite the fact that approximately 300,000 people from 45 tribes lead a nomadic existence in Egypt, according to Founder of the EDPS Walid Ramadan, they are almost always forgotten.
Marginalized and misperceived, these tribes continue to uphold and develop their unique value systems and traditions, formed in the unforgiving beauty of their desert environment. Apart from celebrating their tribal heritage this festival will also be an opportunity to give long-term support to the tribes by creating previously nonexistent channels of communication both among them and with the wider Egyptian community.
One of the main goals of the Characters of Egypt project is setting up a museum documenting the tribal heritage and way of life.
For this museum, EDPS gathered desert and oasis flora and fauna, some of which the tribes of Egypt have come to depend on for medicinal purposes.
Egyptian jewelry designer Azza Fahmy has also carefully built, documented and labeled the museum s collection of intricate traditional jewelry and costumes to delight and educate adults and children alike. Original lighting ornaments by artist and designer Maha El Gharbawy will decorate the campsite and inside all tents, enhancing the oriental ambiance of the breathtaking landscape of Wadi El Gemal National Park.
To book tickets and accommodation at ‘Characters of Egypt’Call Fustat Wadi El Gemal National ParkMobile numbers: 016-5899361 / 017-4385865 / 010-1234464 To learn more, visit www.charactersofegypt.com
