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With a population of about 23,000, Siwa,
the most inaccessible of all Egypt's oasis until very
recently, is also one of the most fascinating, lying
some 60 feed below sea level. On the edge of the Great
Sand Sea, its rich history includes a visit from
Alexander the Great
to consult the Oracle of Amun in 331 BC. The area is famous for its dates and
olives, and is one of the most beautiful landscapes in
Egypt. Olives oil is still made in the area by crushing
the olives from the 70,000 olive trees in the area with
stones. The dates are gathered by zaggala (stick
bearers), who must remain celibate until the age of
forty, and the area boasts some 300,000 date trees. It
is located on the old date caravan route, yet until
recently, it received few other visitors and retained
much of its heritage. In fact, until the battles which
took place around the oasis in World War II, it was
hardly governed by Egypt, and remained mostly a Berber (Zenatiya)
community for the prior thirteen centuries. Siwans
continue to have their own culture and customs and they
speak a Berber language, called Siwi, rather than
Arabic. The area is also famous for its springs,
of which there are approximately 1,000. The water is
sweet, and is said to have medical properties.
Though relaxing and certainly now a part
of the tourist community in Egypt, the oasis is very
traditional. Girls are often
married by the age of 14, afterward completely
cover in clothing, and are allowed little communications
with the world outside their immediate family. Many
women still wear traditional costumes and silver jewelry
and the area is also
well known for its crafts, particularly unique woven cloth. |
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