Sīwa

The town of Sīwa as seen from Mountain of the Dead

Located approximately 300 km southwest from Mersa Matruh and 50 km east from Libyan border, the oasis is a depression about 18 metres below sea level. Its length is 80 km whilst its width is 20 km. It is officially added to Egypt by Muhammad Ali in 1819.

Grand Mosque of Sīwa

Sīwa is the only place in Egypt that is lived by Berber people. Most of the people here wear ‘jalabiyyah’ (traditional Arabian cloak), from young to elderly, unlike other Egyptians who wear ordinary t-shirts and jeans.

The town of Sīwa as seen from Shali

In Siwi language, the word Sīwa means ‘the bird of prey.’ The original town of Sīwa was located at Aghurmi (where Aghurmi clan lives now), near the Temple of Amun (Temple of Umm Ubaydah). Since they were frequently attacked by Bedouins, forty men from seven clans decided to build a new fortified town of Shali. Inhabitants of Sīwa is divided into fourteen tribes, and each tribe has their own chieftain (sheikh or al-Qāid) and their assistants. Sheikh claimed that these leaders govern their people according to Sharia law. Police is only needed for a few matters only. The town council is called ‘al-Agwad.’

They have distinguished language called Siwi language – subfamily of Berber language. But, Arabic is still widely used (to talk with outsiders and to be used on signboards). They are nice people.

Sheikh Idris as-Sanusi is briefing about Sīwa to Malaysian students

Sheikh Idris as-Sanusi said that Sīwa is a manifestation of the verses 33 until 35 from Surah Yāsīn al-Qurān.

“And a sign for them is the dead land. We give it life and We bring forth from it grains, so that they eat thereof.

“And we have made therein gardens of date-palms and grapes, and We have caused springs of water to gush forth therein.

“So that they may eat of the fruit thereof - and their hands made it not. Will they not, then, give thanks?”

Sīwa. Donkey cars are used as public transports here. Locals call it 'taxi.'

The History of Sīwa

The Manuscript of Sīwa (مخطوط سيوة) is the most important historical record of Sīwa. It is said to be written a hundred years ago by Abu Musallim, a qadi who received his education at al-Azhar University and kept by one of the Sīwan clans. It describes a summary of information from medieval Arab chroniclers, oral history of the oasis, origins of the different clans, their customs and traditions and other historical events. No fixed date can be given for the introduction of Islam into Sīwa but we cannot be far wrong if we say that the new religion (Islam) found its way into Sīwa in all probability before the end of the first century of Islam (7^th century AD).

Jabal Abyad