Aswan is the city of charm and beauty, and this is due to the beauty of the Nile and the kindness of its people. All those lucky enough to see this amazing city had the opportunity to visit a Nubian village, interact with the villagers, and enjoy the view of the Nile from the village.
The Nubian village in Aswan is an experience that no one should miss because while you are in the village you can enjoy, have fun and learn about the Nubian culture, traditions, food, clothing, and way of life. To reach the Nubian Village from Aswan, it is best to take a motorboat from the small port that will take him to Soheil Island where he will find this beautiful village on the west bank of the Nile.
The mere experience of riding a motorboat or felucca in Aswan is extremely relaxing and gives you the opportunity to enjoy the Nile and its cool, fresh air. Another way to reach the village is to either take a car ride or hire a cab to take you there.
What is a Nubian village like?
Upon your arrival in the village, you will be treated to very colorful houses built according to Nubian architecture using mud bricks, which are a mixture of clay, water, hay, and sand. All of these materials are natural, making them less susceptible to house diseases, inexpensive and the clay structure of the bricks is also less affected by heat.
Above each house is a dome-shaped ceiling, which distributes the sun’s heat evenly inside the house. In addition, Nubians love to decorate their houses with simple but delightful colors. Not only that, they usually draw shapes from Nubian culture on the walls of their houses, such as boats, camels, and palm trees.
When you enter a Nubian house, you will find nothing less than decent, friendly and welcoming people. They are the Nubians, famous for their dark skin and distinct Nubian language, which is unique and not to be confused with the Arabic language. Another interesting fact regarding the language is that they do not learn to teach outsiders the Nubian language.
The ancient Nubians were known for their archery skills, and since this skill is the ability to shoot arrows with a bow, the ancient Egyptians named their land “Ta-Seti,” which means “land of the bow.” These archery skills were the key component of the military strength of the Nubian rulers in May.
It was common for warriors to be buried alongside their archery equipment. Historically, Nubians were known by another name, which was Kush, and there was the Kingdom of Nubia, located on the Nile River in southern Egypt and northern Sudan, a kingdom known for its rich gold deposits.
Nubian villages are known as very small and quiet places. The same is true for the interior of a traditional Nubian house. However, what is unusual is the extraordinary range of pets, the crocodile, but do not worry as these pet crocodiles are kept in cages.
Both live and mummified crocodile bodies hung in Nubian homes and were highly admired. The Nubian people’s affection for the crocodile is based on the ancient Egyptian belief that the existence of a crocodile will protect them and their household from the evil eye. Other more normal animals you might find would be chickens and goats.
Activities in a Nubian village
Some of the activities you can take part in in a Nubian town are shopping in the Nubian stores where you can buy Nubian accessories, clothes, and bags. Filled with amazing colors and some Nubian symbols that are sure to attract positive attention when you are at home.
Or you can buy some rare spices like cumin, cinnamon, curry and different kinds of teas. Spices are considered perfect souvenirs to take home from Nubia, as Aswan is generally known for its authentic spices.
If you want to have a drink and rest and relax, you will find a number of beautiful cafes and restaurants with magnificent views of the Nile as you roam around these amazing villages. Camel riding is also an extremely interesting activity that you should try in Nubia.
There are also many great activities for women and children. A good example of such activity is drawing henna tattoos on their bodies. In the village, there are many Nubian women who draw henna, which they make from natural herbs and oils.
Another great place to pay a visit is the Nubian Museum. This museum contains many masterpieces that describe the Nubian culture, such as the tools they use, the clothes they wear, and the activities they have undertaken throughout history, and there are also some antiquities from the villages Islamic, Coptic, and Pharaonic eras.
People who visit the Nubian village can also see the palace of the famous Egyptian singer Mohamed Mounir, who is from Nuba. Most of the songs of the kings (also known as Mounir) are written in the Nubian language. The Nubians are known for their joyful songs and dances.
