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Egypt Culture
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Egypt may be filled with miles
and miles of desert land, but there’s more than enough
habitable land to house some 77.5 million people. Most of the
population—some 99 percent—is made up of Egyptians,
Bedouins and Berbers, while the remaining 1 percent of the population
is made up of Greeks, Nubians, Armenians and other Europeans.
Despite there being a Coptic Era in Egypt’s history, when
Christianity was ushered in, only 6 percent of |
the population follows this religion. The remaining 94 percent
are Muslim, mostly Sunni.
If you’re worried about whether or not you’ll find
other English speakers during your travels, you may be relieved
to note that English (and French) is understood by many in the tourism
industry and those who have higher education in the city. Arabic,
however, is the official language and remains widely used.
Hoping to connect with modern-day Egyptian culture, but don’t
understand Arabic? Try the next best thing and check out a local
club to listen to the country’s eclectic music. Tombs and
temples have long been covered in paintings depicting various instruments
dating back thousands and thousands of years. And while no musical
pieces have been written down from that time, a number of universities
have tried to extrapolate the sounds those instruments would have
made in an attempt to recreate songs from the past. Today, you’ll
find popular Egyptian singers covering everything from American
Top 40 favorites (in Arabic) to songs from Egypt’s greatest
singers, including Umm Kulthum, whose funeral was said to be larger
than that of President Nasser. Whether you hear songs from the past
or present, Egyptians hold a special place for music—and you’ll
find yourself feeling the same, regardless of whether or not you
understand the spoken word.
More Information:
 www.state.gov
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