Best Travel Guide to Nubian Village in Aswan Egypt
Discover the fascinating Nubian culture and traditions in southern Egypt with Afro Asian Travel. Our customized trips offer visits to Nubian villages and cultural shows for an immersive experience beyond the pharaonic monuments.
Who are the Nubians?
Nubian communities in southern Egypt are known for their colorful streets, stunning murals, and unique language. They migrated from Sudan 8,000 years ago and settled on the western bank of the Nile River, cultivating agricultural land in the region.
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A brief guide for visiting the Nubian Village
The Nubian villages, including the prominent "Ghrab Soheil," are located on the west bank of the Nile and can be reached via a short motorboat ride or Felucca ride from Aswan. Visitors interested in exploring these villages can plan a half-day trip, which offers approximately 3 hours to enjoy the colorful streets and remarkable Nubian architecture and interact with friendly locals while having an oriental lunch.
In Nuba, you can stay in a colorful guest house, ride a camel, try their famous mint tea, dance with Nubian kids, eat delicious food, and get a henna tattoo from a local woman who draws Nubian and pharaonic shapes and symbols. Henna tattoos fade away after a few days and are safe for your skin.
The Nubian population in Egypt is widely scattered, with their primary focus being preserving their culture and history. Aswan, which is home to most Nubian villages, is a city that has a deep connection with its people. In addition, a significant number of Nubians have migrated northward, forming a substantial community in Kom Ombo and Nasr Nouba.
Nubia in Egypt was called Lower Nubia, while Upper Nubia was Sudan. Nubians are tall with darker skin and have their own language. They are considered a distinct ethnic group from other inhabitants of Egypt, such as the Bedouins of Sinai or the Berbers of Siwa.
History of Nubia
Nubia is a region that stretches along the Nile River between Aswan in southern Egypt and Khartoum in central and northern Sudan. It is one of the oldest civilizations in Africa, dating back to 2000 BCE. Home to many powerful kingdoms, such as Kush, Napata, and Meroë, who interacted and sometimes competed with ancient Egypt.
Nubians were known for their skills in archery, gold mining, and trade. They also adopted and adapted many aspects of Egyptian culture, such as religion, art, and writing. They even ruled over Egypt as the 25th Dynasty, reviving the ancient traditions and styles of the pharaohs.
Nubia’s rich and diverse history can be seen in the monuments, artifacts, and texts they left behind, as well as in the culture and heritage of the modern Nubian people. Nubia was also a center of Christianity in Africa until the arrival of Islam in the 7th century AD.
In the 19th century, Egypt extended its control over Nubia to the kingdom of Sennar. British colonization later divided Nubia between Egypt (lower Nubia) and Sudan (upper Nubia). Lower Nubia was submerged by Lake Nasser in the 1960s, forcing the Nubian people to relocate.
Unique Traditions and Lifestyles of the Nubian Culture
Nubian culture is known for its unique and beautiful use of henna, which is a natural dye made from plants. Nubians often use henna to create intricate designs on their hands and feet, especially during special events like weddings and religious festivals.
Music and dance are also important parts of Nubian culture. Nubian music is lively and features a lot of percussion instruments. Nubian dance is often performed at weddings and other celebrations and has its own traditional styles and moves.
A trip to a Nubian village in Aswan
If you want to take a trip to a Nubian village in Aswan, you have several options to choose from. You can either take a short boat ride or a felucca (a traditional sailboat) from Aswan to reach the site. Some of the most popular Nubian villages to visit are Gharb Soheil and Elephantine Island.
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There, you can enjoy the colourful houses, the local markets, the traditional dishes, and the friendly crocodiles. You can also learn more about the history and culture of the Nubian people, who have lived in this region for thousands of years. You can also spend a night in one of the cozy guesthouses or hotels overlooking the river.
Consider visiting a Nubian village in Aswan to experience a different side of Egypt. Check out our Nile cruise packages from Aswan to Luxor or Luxor to Aswan, but note that not all packages include trips to Nubian villages. Contact the team at Afro Asian Travel to add it to your itinerary.
