Egypt, Cradle of Civilization: 4/19/09

Monday, April 20, 2009

The Oracle of Siwa

The Temple of the Oracle of Amun at Siwa has attracted many a visitor over the history of ancient civilizations, the most prominent being Alexander the Great. It is said that he reached the temple by following birds across the desert. Alexander the Great came in 331 BC to consult the Oracle of Amun in order to seek confirmation that he was the son of the gods (Zeus and Amun) and consequently the legitimate Pharaoh of Egypt and of course of the other lands he conquered. He continued to correspond with the Oracle of Amun until his death through messengers when he needed answers to important questions.

In the ancient world, people were more than superstitious, so manifestations of the gods or Oracles were greatly revered. They were regularly consulted before important decisions as they were able to see into the future. Oracles existed in Egypt well before the Temple of the Oracle at Siwa, which was built during the 26^th Dynasty. The Oracle of Siwa was reputed to have existed well before the temple and continued to flourish well into the Greek and Roman periods.

The area is known to have been inhabited since the 10^th millennium BC, but it was during the 26^th Dynasty that it gained fame when a necropolis was established, and Siwa at the time was given the name Sekht-am or Palm Land.

Greeks that settled at Cyrene (in modern day

Libya

) made contact with the oasis at the time and Romans later used it as a place of banishment. The first European to visit the temple was the British William George Browne in 1792, and in 1819 the oasis was officially added by Muhammad Ali Pasha (Egypt’s ruler at the time) to modern Egypt. Siwa was the site of some fighting during World War I and World War II.

In fact, until the battles which took place around the oasis in World War II, it was hardly governed by Egypt, and for the previous thirteen centuries it remained mostly a Berber (Zenatiya) community. Siwans continue to have their own culture and customs and they speak a Berber language, called Siwi, rather than Arabic. Because of their geographical isolation the people have remained relatively unchanged. Women still wear traditional costumes and silver jewelers and Siwa remains one of the best places to buy traditional local handicrafts. Interestingly, each October there is a three-day festival during which Siwans must settle all of their past year's disputes.

The Siwa Oasis lying 60 feet below sea level and is located between the Qattara Depression and the Egyptian Sand Sea in the Libyan Desert, 560 km from Cairo and 50 km east of the Libyan border. It is one of Egypt’s isolated settlements, inhabited by 23,000 people descendants from the ethnic Berbers of North Africa.
There are approximately 1,000 sweet water springs that are know to have medical properties. But the most striking feature of the Siwan landscape is the presence of several salt lakes, which diminish in size during the summer; this sets it apart from any other oases of

Egypt

Besides its old ruin Temple of Amun, springs and salt lakes, other sites of interest include Cleopatra’s Bath, the old town of Shali, Gebel Dakrur and Gabal El-Mawta (the Mountain of the Dead). In 2007 there was the discovery of what may be the world’s oldest human footprint, dating back 3 million years. Although the revelations of the oracle which has attracted so many, fell into disrepute under the Roman occupation of Egypt, Siwa still lures people who seek peace, beauty and serenity.

About the Author:
Gawhara Hanem

Living in Cairo

Culture

Fittingly for a country at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, Egypt is a great cultural mix. Its unique heritage stretching back over 5,000 years combines with a modern, forward-looking and progressive outlook. It is a country of contrasts, yet one where all are made welcome and encouraged to make the most of everything Egypt has to offer.

Climate

Winters tend to be mild, with sunny days and cool nights. Daytime temperatures in February, for example, are around 19°C (66°F) and nighttime temperatures around 8°C (46°F). From spring through summer to early autumn it is hot – very hot in July and August, when temperatures can reach over 40°C (104°F). But these high temperatures often come with cooling breezes. In short, sunshine is the key feature!

Home life

When deciding where to live you can choose from a variety of areas, including Maadi, October 6 and Zamalek. Each area has its own distinct character and attractions. Maadi has many green spaces, beautiful old houses and quiet streets. With international schools close by and plentiful gyms, cinemas and restaurants, it is home to many expats, especially families. October 6 has luxurious gated communities and is close to the Smart Village business park. Zamalek is a vibrant area on the Nile island in downtown Cairo – the location of many embassies, hotels, sports clubs, fine restaurants, the opera house, and the homes of rich Cairenes.

Schools and universities

Cairo has 15 international schools: 11 English schools, two German schools and two French schools. There are also four international universities: the American University in Cairo, the German University in Cairo, the British University in Egypt and L’Université Française d’Egypte. All the schools and universities are internationally accredited. The schools offer a full range of qualifications, from A levels to International Baccalaureate. The universities offer bachelor degrees, master’s, and PhDs.