Middle East/North African Lit discussion
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Whatever Happened to the Egyptians?
2011cruise book diving(official)
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Whatever Happened to the Egyptians? (March/Apri) 2011
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It sounds exciting!Jacqueline Howett, Author of The Greek Seaman
I'm on page 23 now ( :S ).. But i wonder if non-egyptians are having trouble reading it.. There are so many references to specific moments in modern Egyptian history, does it make it harder to comprehend?
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Since I am Egyptian :) do you think it is a quick read , I am planning to read it next week in shaa alah
Well, Amin's style is not very smooth,, you will need lots of concentration..But it will be very interseting and insightful once you start..
I finished this yesterday, had to read it quickly to get it back to the library, and found it quite interesting. I was surprised how similar some of the changes in Egyptian society were to some of the changes I've recognized in my own family, comparing my parents early days with my grandchildren's. I'll be interested in following the discussion. I especially enjoyed the chapters on women, language, migrations and summer vacations.
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Where are you from Catherine?I think that if we really think about it we'll find that many societies evolved in the same way.. Despite the fact that cultures, languages, and traditions vary from one society to another,, there is always this touch of similarity between them, that comes, maybe, from the fact that we're all humans and think quite alike.. Can't say for sure though.. I think we'll need to discuss this, if a non-Arab read this book and found it similar in some ways to his society's story.. what was similar and what went in different way?
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of course there are some major differences too, but this is a fascinating book to read at this point in American history.
how do egyptians feel about this book (or set of essays)...do people typically agree with Gamal Amin?
Most Egyptians appreciate this author a lot, and value this book the most, believing that it's his greatest work.. But personally I don't agree with everything he wrote.. In the first chapter for instance when he talks about the correlation between social mobility and culture.. I think he's exaggerating a bit, but then again, he's talking about a period that I did not witness.. He did.
Did you find a similarity with American society in this point?
Ng wrote: "Where are you from Catherine?I think that if we really think about it we'll find that many societies evolved in the same way.. Despite the fact that cultures, languages, and traditions vary from o..."
Currently I live in the US - Arizona, have lived in various parts of the US, spent a year in Europe and a month in Senegal years ago. In my literary life (through reading) I've lived everywhere!
The Arabic Language chapter I found quite interesting, and that is one that did not compare with anything in my experience. I think you're right, Ng, about the similarities between cultures and traditions because of the human element, despite the differences. I think Tayeb Salih touches on this in Season of Migration to the North also, although I've barely started reading it.
I'll try to move forward a bit in the book today, I barely reached chapter 2!
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i have to say that i loved walking down the street in Alexandria or Cairo after dark and coming across a wedding celebration and everyone welcomed us to stop and enjoy the singing and dancing with them. :D
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Ohh, that is the typical traditional one , when I was a child I used to see (Zaffa) in street at my grandfather's , it was really beautiful !
Check this link , I found it interesting , in Modern Traditions part ; beside showing how weddings are affected by western traditions , there are still tradidional elements like ( The Zaffa) and (The Kosha) , I am they brought some definitions for the “Sewan”
and “Fattah” , we should add the last one to the Egyptian cooking recipes !
Interesting videos about Nubian Wedding …check the Hennah and gold:)
Very nice!! :))It is sad though that some of the traditional wedding ceremonies are starting to fade away with more and more people preferring to wed in western style..
Can't say if it's "natural selection" or infatuation by western culture.
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I thought so too..In fact social mobility is suppose to be a consequnce not a cause.. I mean, it is a process, but can it be irreversible?
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Now I finished the parts discussing the religion fanaticism and westernization and I liked the last a lot , now I started reading Zaat in parallel with this book , it can be useful :)
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yes , I found it a good idea , it is like reading the theory and the application !Zaat is some kind of black comedy !
I hope I will be able to finish the book soon , I liked (women conditions ) part , when I think about the immigration part , I really find funny , true but funny . that wedding part , a typical portraying of mine ! and for the (private car) part , I am dying for a solution !!
Good review Nile Daugther..You know guys, the author's theory about social mobility is very interesting, I've always thought it's in the center of development of societies, only in various forms, not just mobility of "social classes".
Do you think that Amin made this theory the center of his analysis?
If yes, do you agree with him?
If not, what else can be the reason or "engine" of the transformation of Egyptian society, or any other society for that matter?
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Yes , I believe Amin made social mobility the center of development , I can not say that I do not agree with him specially that he made it clear that it is a result of major political and economical changes (I agree with this conclusion 100 %) . but in some parts I needed to feel the major factor in a more clear analysis specially when it comes to religion , also I think there are two problems that have roots in Naser's era that had to get more detailed attention ; education (he mentioned it briefly) and housing problems and its reflection on the marriage system .
Throughout the book I get the feeling that Amin is quite pro-Nasser, he admits that the Nasser peroid had its downsides, but he still beleives it was the best so fare.I don't know if he is just a sentimental Nasserist or the he beleives in this for real.
And speaking of Nasser, a chapter I found particularly interesting is "Westernization", the idea that all aspects of "development" in the era of Nasser were in fact due to a heavy weternization movement.. Whether in education, development, factories building.. anything, you name it.. This idea never crossed my mind befor!
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I thought the same "Westernization" chapter was very interesting , and when we think about it , yes Westernization never stops even with resistance , I guess the stronger's culture always finds its way !
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btw i got a copy of Zaat and i *really* want to read it *right now* but i have too many other things i must read at the moment. i would make a sad face, but i'm really excited about the things i "must" read. :D
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Zaat is a great read to understand this book , I almost finished it , it is so sarcastic that you will cry laughing !!!
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I understand your feeling !;)
Loved the chapter on Egyptian woman.. Do no Egyptians see the evolution of status of woman in the west the same way?
Of course it happened long before us, but did it happen the same way?
Middle East/North African Lit
Books mentioned in this topic
Zaat (other topics)Whatever Happened to the Egyptians?: Changes in Egyptian Society from 1950 to the Present (other topics)
Season of Migration to the North (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Tayeb Salih (other topics)Galal Amin (other topics)
One of the best books that go deep inside Egyptian society, trying to analyze the reasons behind its major changes and problems for the past 60 years.
Since it was first published in 1997, it is considered to be a "must read" for Egyptians and non-Egyptians alike, for anyone interested in knowing whatever happened to Egyptians.
And now, 14 years later, the insightful views of Galal Amin are still valid.. well.. till Jan 25th 2011 anyway :D
Now, after the Egyptian revolution, the book is of special importance, if Egyptian society wants to put its hands on what went wrong before, to be able to avoid mistakes of the past and move on.
A must read, now more than ever, for anyone who wants to understand what led Egyptians to revolt and anyone who wants to "watch" the Egyptian society, hopefully!, transform..
Happy reading :)