Last Updated on: 9th September 2023, 11:30 am
What Was It Like Visiting a Nubian Village
Today on our On The Go Tours Egyptian trip, we visited the Nubian Village of Nag`Gharb Siheil, near Aswan, on the edge of the West Bank of the Nile in southern Egypt. This is the one near Elephantine Island near the Movenpick Hotel, not one of the more touristy fake ones.
Nubian Village Facts
Nubian history predates ancient Egypt. There is evidence that direct descendants of the Nubians have been inhabiting this corner of Africa for over 300,000 years. 8,000 years ago the Nubians developed agriculture and began farming this area of the Nile. It was fascinating to visit this Nubian village and observe how much of their interesting culture survives from antiquity to today. They have their own unique language, as well as poetry, novels, storytelling, and music.
To me, contemporary Nubian music sounds much like Reggae music, and Nubians, as evidenced by many red, yellow and green flags, with the likeness of Bob Marley on them, identify with Jamaican music as well, but I digress.
See also:
- Riding a Felucca on the Nile
- Hill Tribe Village Photos and Video from Laos
- Castelo de Vide and Marvao, Portugal
How We Got to Nag`Gharb Siheil
We got to the Nag`Gharb Siheil Nubian village on a comfortable motorboat. We passed Elephantine Island, the old border between Egypt and Nubia; the Tombs of the Nobles and the Aswan Botanical Gardens. Along the way, we crossed the shallow rapids known as the First Cataract of the Nile.
It was great just enjoying the scenery of agricultural land, fishing shacks and indigenous camel herders on shore. It was relaxing and amazing to reflect on how much of the world’s civilization owes its past to this narrow strip of land along the life-giving Nile.
Hospitality in the Nubian Village
Upon arrival to the Nubian village, we were welcomed into what we were told is a typical Nubian home. It was huge! We tried, karkade, or Hibiscus tea, a bright red drink brewed from hibiscus blossoms. The tea was tart with a nice floral scent, and with a little sugar, quite delicious.
It was in this home that our guide Alam told us about life in a Nubian village, the ancient and modern Nubian Egyptian cultures and the intertwined histories of Nubia and Egypt. It was all exotic and fascinating, but the best part was just wandering the streets and observing the riot of colors, smelling the fresh spices, feeling the locally woven scarves in the shops and photographing the striking architecture of homes.
I was at Nag`Gharb Siheil as a guest of On the Go Tours on the Abu Simbel Sun Festival Tour. This is an easy, and a very enjoyable way to experience Egypt.
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Over 50 Travel in Egypt With On the Go Tours
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Looks amazing, great photos too by the way !
Thank you Ben! It was great fun and I was with a good bunch.
I’m seriously wondering what the navy blue spice is?
I think it is a dye, but it is hard to find a better answer than that. It is very beautiful.