Saturday, January 14, 2006

Egypt has a much richer plant and animal life, as demonstrated by friezes with lions, giraffes, and ostriches. The deserts have many desiccated plants, while in the Nile Valley almost all of the arable land is for farming. Very few wild plants can be found.
Most of Egypt's animals are domestic--donkeys, chickens, pigeons, cows, horses, and camels. But out in the desert gazelles, caracals, reptiles, hyenas, and foxes roam about. There are many ducks and birds along the Nile. Fish are also bountiful in the waters of the well-known river; mostly perch.
Egypt isn't known for having rare and valuable plants and animals, but they all play a big role in Egypt's life.



This ancient country has many historical sites and backgrounds. After all, Egypt is greatly recognized for its mysterious secrets that it holds--and still does.
Alexandria and Cairo are Egypt's two largest cities, but even larger tourist attractions. Cairo's citadel was built in the 12th century by the Sudan Saladin. It was crowned by the 19th century mosque of Muhammad Ali, is named for Egypt's first statement, and he is buried there.
Although this area is not as well known as others, Saqara is the area where the first large stone structure, the Stepped Pyramid Tomb, was built in Egypt. It was built for 3rd dynasty Pharaoh Djoser by a royal architect names Imhotep.
Giza is well known for the site of the Great Sphinx. It has the head of King Khafre and the body of a lion. It was carved over 4,000 years ago.


Egypt has many different religious beliefs, and some are brought to many places in Africa from Egypt.
Islam is the state religion. Muslims, as the people who follow this religion are called, pray five times a day facing a statue of Mecca. They are called to their praying posts by a bell ringer.
Egyptians believe in the afterlife, a spirit world where the soul may be taken after death. That is why they bury their Queens and Pharaohs with his/her jewelry, treasures, and even deceased pets, for the Egyptians worshipped cats and believed they were holy. But alas, tomb robbers invaded the pyramids where he/she was buried. Pyramids have many twists, turns, and traps that could leave the thief wandering hopelessly in darkness for days and weeks at a time until he died of either starvation or a trap. The Egyptians were the first to come up with pin/timber locks, which made the sacred burial tomb an even more secure place.
They also believe in reincarnation, and that the soul may return to another body to repent the sins of the past.
The Egyptian religion has many different people that have all sorts of beliefs that are carried all throughout Africa.

Customs and holidays of Egypt are shared with many family members and friends. Much time is spent visiting friends or chatting in cafes while smoking and sipping coffee. A special and traditional event is a visit to the public bath every now and then. Not many holidays are shared with the United Sates and Egypt.
Holiday foods for the wealthy and average include the regular stew, along with fruits, vegetables, bread, wine, and meat. The less fortunate have the same. Sometimes if they were lucky, they have wine on very special occasions.
Traditional farming, including the ox-drawn plows, are still widely practiced in Egypt. Workers still make Feluccas, which are large sailing boats used to carry groups of people at a time to different destinations across the Nile River.
Egypt is a very traditional based country, and if you are in the upper caste areas, you are almost family.



The Great Pyramid

Sekhmet, the Goddess of violence and destruction





An Egyptian tomb. The carvings in and outside of it portray the pros and cons of the afterlife.



A Camel