Marriage

Upper Egypt is located far in the south and is Away from External (outside) Influences. The people’s way of life is rarely mixed with other Foreign nationalities.

The lifestyle in Upper Egypt differs a lot From Urban (city) Areas, such as Cairo. However, there are similarities to other Rural (farm) Areas, As well. The main reasons for the lifestyle differences are: Not Being exposed to foreign cultures, the small number of places of Entertainment such as TV and movies that show outside influences, And the Conservative (”old fashioned”) Traditions. The Marriage customs best illustrate the typical lifestyle of the Upper Egyptian culture.

No Dating: Having a Chance to meet or to choose a bride is quite difficult in Upper Egypt Due to many reasons. First, the society does not allow boys and Girls To associate (to meet or hang out) With each Other. Second, the places where people can meet freely do not exist. As a result, people adapted their own ways for choosing a bride. One Of those ways is called a “match-maker”. A match-maker can only be An old woman who knows all the families. She can arrange marriages Between two families.

Another way of choosing a bride is through the Relatives themselves. Young men know that They can choose their brides from their families. Seeing the bride is Not necessary at all, for being a relative is quite enough reason to Marry her. The girl shares the same blood with the boy, so she is Worth marrying. Cousins often MarryBut the cousin has to be from the Father’s side. This guarantees the Continuation of the family name. In fact, marriage between cousins records the highest rate in Upper Egypt. Upper Egyptian people do not allow strangers to marry their Daughters easily.

The bride’s age Is a Serious issue. Although the Egyptian government and Islamic leaders Have banned marriages of girls under 15, many girls at the age of Nine or ten are already engaged.

Arranged marriages: In order to guarantee a good marriage decision, people often ask About the wealth of the family, its social status, and/or its Religious position which could be a very good reason for the Marriage.

A woman who sells vegetable in my neighborhood Told me the story of her marriage. She explained that she was not Given the chance either to see or to chose her future husband. Her Father simply announced to her in a very normal tone that she was Engaged and to be married in a month. The groom paid a 100 Pounds (Egyptian money) As A Dowry (a gift of money for the bride that stays with Her when she gets married)And gave her gold Anklets, rings and a thin necklace.

Her marriage ceremony Lasted for one week because of the celebration that was Held for 6 days before the main wedding ceremony. One of these days Is called El-Henna Day where the bride put Henna On her hands and feet.

After El-Henna Day came the day in which her Furniture and clothes were loaded on a truck followed by her family And her friends whom they sang. In the ceremony, there were two Separate places, one for women and the other for men. Both men and women were not allowed to mix together. The groom sat with the guests and his Future father-in-law and the bride sat with the women. Each enjoyed Themselves in their own ways. Young girls danced and sang for the Bride and she joined them at times.

The vegetable seller said that she is a caring Wife who shares her husband’s life in Poverty (being poor) And in wealth and works with him, hand in Hand, in addition to her duties as a dedicated mother. She has a Good marriage.

Changes have occurred during the last ten years in Upper Egypt. Girls no longer have to marry someone they do not see. Thanks to education, women are becaming more aware of their rights And practice them especially in marriage. The only thing that has not Changed is the segregation of men and women at the marriage Ceremonies.