When people think of Egypt they visualize endless deserts the sphinx, pyramids, and the mummy's curse but culturally, Egyptian life is in many ways similar to that of life in America. Generally speaking, Egypt has had numerous contacts with western culture. Dating back to 1798 when Napoleon invaded the country, his lasting mark on Egypt can be seen on the missing nose of the sphinx today(1). Through tourism, people from all over the world stream through Egypt's cities, leaving behind traces of their own cultures to influence Egypt's society. For example, most Egyptian women have the freedom to wear whatever they choose(2). The youth of Egypt enjoy similar games, hobbies, and activities as western youth. Feeling hungry? It wouldn't take long to find a McDonalds or a Baskin Robin's/Pizza Hut/KFC multi-plex to calm that commercial craving. The popularity of western technology & entertainment has been increasing at an industrious rate as more & more the west has been leaving its mark on Egyptian society.
As an important asset to Egypt's economy, tourism causes the interactions between western culture and Egyptian society. Those who have interests with Egypt may be familiar with Giza's sphinx & pyramids, the ancient architecture of Aswan & Luxor, & Cairo's Egyptian Museum. Aside from that, Sharm El Sheikh, located along the Red Sea, is one of the best scuba diving spots in the world where thousands of tourists vacation yearly. Recently, the ancient library of Alexandria opened and also won the prize of the best architectural design for the year 2000(3). As millions of tourists stream through Egypt every year, aspects of their culture are left to influence Egyptian ways of life(4).
A distinctive example of western influence on Egyptian society is recognized through the average wardrobe of Egyptians. Through the millions of dollars worth of US aid & exports, one will notice an abundance of Levi's Jeans & designer apparel labels like Gucci, Calvin Klein, Guess, and Versace being worn & sold. The United States is Egypt's largest source of imports, in part because its aid to Egypt was conditioned on Egypt's purchasing American goods and services(5). Contrary to popular belief, it is common to "see <Egyptian> women, unveiled and in public places, taking buses, eating in café's and working alongside" the men. Egypt has some of the world's best beaches, with women comfortably wearing 2-piece swimsuits & men openly wearing Speedos. Because Egyptians have more freedom compared to other Middle Eastern countries, a female westerner visiting Egypt would not feel uncomfortable for having her hair exposed or by wearing short pants and a tank top in public.
Male-female interaction in public is commonly found as groups of friends going out to the movies, cruising in their car, hanging out in the mall, or the city sports club. Like ordinary western recreation, Egyptians like to visit the beach, go bowling, or dance at clubs. Female Egyptians can frequently be seen shopping the stores or getting their hair & nails done at the "coiffure" or salon. Male Egyptians can usually be found playing "futbol" or soccer at the city sports club or an empty street. Egyptians are very liberal and mostly just want to have a good time.
For those who want a fast food break, both Egyptians & westerners can be comforted to know that there is usually a restaurant from the west nearby. Who would believe that in Egypt, McDonalds & KFC delivers to your home? It's a great perk that Egypt has to offer, influenced by the west but surprisingly never to be found here in America. Another shocking example of western influence upon Egyptian culture would have to be at the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the great pyramids of Giza. Visualize standing directly in front of the face of the sphinx. He lies there guarding the three largest pyramids in the world. A common misconception about Egypt is that it is a great barren desert. Unfortunately as one stands in front of the sphinx they are also standing in front of a Pizza Hut. One would say it's rather convenient to have the comforts of a fast food pizzeria while looking out a dining room window at a captivating marvel.
When visiting Egypt, it would be common to see instances of American & European technology and entertainment. Western brand cars, Internet café's, cell phones, & CD players have continued to gain popularity. The Cairo metro train is the first underground transportation system in the Middle East and in Africa(6). Many North American movies are shown in the theatres & on TV with Arabic subtitles, although westerners would notice that some movies are edited for nudity or content. The music industry is notorious for releasing songs in Asia & the Middle East months before unleashing them upon the US. For example, popular North American artists & groups like Celine Deon, the Backstreet Boys & Britney Spears are extremely well known with Egyptian teenagers & can frequently be heard blasting out of car stereos.
It would typically not be hard for a westerner to adapt to Egypt's way of life. Through the effects of Britain's occupation of Egypt from 1882 to 1952, enough Egyptians know English very well & use most frequently to communicate with tourists(8). Many Egyptian schools teach in both Classic British-English & Arabic. One will hear Egyptian youth speaking English with British accents. The street signs & billboards in the cities are colorfully written in both English & Arabic.
Beyond the traces of western culture, Egyptian & Islamic traditions & customs will always be the backbone of the culture. One will hear from the mosque minarets the "Adhan" (or prayer call) sung out five times a day regularly. Out of respect, most Egyptians will stop what they're doing, turn off their stereos playing the newest Mariah Carey song or their TVs showing the latest Eddie Murphy movie, & listen with consideration.
Influences of western culture in Egypt are manifestations of modernization. The importance of this is to show how Egyptian culture has been merging with aspects of western culture. Radio, television, and the Internet have helped to bring modernization & portions of western culture to Egypt. Through millions of dollars of aid and exports, & Middle Eastern-Western alliances, the technology of Egypt has been advancing towards nearly reaching the level of modernization the west embodies. So the next time some one thinks of Egypt they will soon bring to mind a sister country to the U.S, both sharing similar aspects of popular culture.
Sources
1. History Channel. 2000. The Concise Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. Columbia University Press. <http://www.historychannel.com>
2. The Egyptian State Information Service. Egyptian Women Through Ages. <http://www.us.sis.gov.eg/online/html3/women1.htm>
3. The Egyptian State Information Service. April 17, 2001. "Alexandria Library, the best design." <http://www.us.sis.gov.eg/online/html4/o170421p.htm>
4. Egypt Tourism Net. June 2000. <http://www.tourism.egnet.net/>
5. <http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+eg0113)>
6. <http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+eg0088)>
7. Zakaria, Fareed. "Why Do They Hate Us? The Politics of Rage." Newsweek 15 Oct. 2001: 22-40.
8. ArabNet—Egypt, History, British Occupation. Egypt History.
< http://www.georgetown.edu/users/pandits/history.html>
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Comments: 4
McD's and KFC delivery? Heaven help me. Pizza Hut is bad enough!