Our history binds us and defines us. No matter where you’re from, your past has left a mark. Here are the top 10 ways the ancient pharaohs still influence modern Egypt, from festivals and symbols to everyday superstitions.
Top 10 Ways Pharaohs Influence Modern Egypt
1 The Nile
If you glance at Earth from orbit, the Sahara stretches endlessly, but a glittering ribbon of life snakes through it – the Nile. Egyptians call it the country’s lifeblood, a river that pumps water where veins would pump blood.
When the pharaohs first settled along its banks, they harnessed the annual flood to irrigate crops. Today, that same river powers the Aswan High Dam, generating electricity for millions. The Nile remains a source of national pride, a divine blessing that still echoes the reverence of ancient times.
Journalism and Mass Communication Undergrad at the American University in Cairo.
2 Breaking Pots Behind Enemies
If you’re strolling through a rural village and suddenly hear a ceramic clatter behind you, it’s a not‑so‑subtle hint that locals aren’t thrilled about your presence.
Egyptians are famously superstitious. Some believe certain people carry innate bad vibes. To neutralize that, they smash a pot behind the unwelcome individual, thinking the shattered shards will drive away any lurking evil spirits. This practice traces straight back to ancient Egyptian magic, where breaking pottery was a method to disperse malevolent forces.
3 The Seboa
Seven days after a baby’s arrival, Egyptian families throw a special gathering called the seboa. The word stems from Arabic “esboa,” meaning “week,” and serves as a post‑birth celebration that welcomes the infant and honors the mother.
A key ritual involves gently shaking the newborn – not out of cruelty, but to scare away evil spirits. Ancient Egyptians believed infants were especially vulnerable, and the number seven was considered lucky. Today, the seboa is observed across religious lines, though the shaking part should be done with utmost care.
4 Eyeliner
Modern emo looks owe a debt to ancient Egypt’s love of dramatic eye makeup. Back then, royalty used kohl – a dark, mineral‑based eyeliner – as a status symbol and a shield against the scorching sun.
Kohl, made from stibnite, was first applied around 3100 BC. Upper eyelids were painted black, lower lids a deep green. Some scholars argue the style signaled marital status, but today Egyptian women sport kohl regardless of whether they’re married, keeping the ancient aesthetic alive.
5 Language
The Egyptian Arabic dialect is a vibrant tapestry woven from Classical Arabic, French, English, Turkish, and the ancient Coptic language. It’s a linguistic time‑capsule preserving centuries‑old expressions.
Words like barrah (“go outside”) have no counterpart elsewhere. Coptic still lives on in everyday speech: tannesh means “ignore,” shibship is “slipper,” embu translates to “thirsty,” humm to “eat,” and tabtab to “patting.” Seeing these ancient roots pop up in modern conversation is a reminder of the language’s deep heritage.
6 Honor Killings
Honor, pride, dignity, and reputation are pillars of social standing in many Egyptian communities. When any of these are perceived as tarnished, a grim tradition sometimes erupts: the so‑called “honor killing.”
The practice harks back to ancient Upper Egypt, where a murder committed against a family member earned a literal “hit” on the perpetrator’s head. The victim’s clan would track down and personally execute the offender, bypassing formal law. Although the custom has faded, isolated incidents still surface, especially in rural Upper Egypt.
7 Giving Money To The Poor
Even a single coin can change a life, a belief deeply rooted in Egyptian culture. In antiquity, the concept of nadr – giving to the needy – was championed by the god Maat, who promised everlasting love to benefactors.
Today, while Islam reinforces the practice of almsgiving, the ancient reverence for Maat still lingers. Modern Egyptians continue to support the less fortunate, keeping the age‑old tradition of generosity alive.
8 Don’t Flip Your Flip‑Flops
Bad luck seems to hide in the most ordinary objects in Egypt. One widespread superstition warns against placing shoes or flip‑flops upside‑down. Doing so is believed to invite years of misfortune.
Flipping footwear can even offend, as the soles would face the gods – a sign of disrespect. The belief stems from pharaonic rituals, and many Egyptians still make sure their shoes rest with the soles down or sideways.
9 The Eye Of Horus
“Eye of Horus” isn’t a Tolkien reference – it’s an ancient emblem of health that modern Egyptians have repurposed as a shield against envy, known locally as the evil eye (hassad).
Because envy is feared as a force that can strip away one’s blessings, many people wear the Eye of Horus as a talisman, hoping its protective power will fend off malicious gazes.
10 Celebrating Sham El‑Nessim
If you happen to be in Egypt during the springtime Easter period, brace yourself for the unmistakable aroma of fermented fish – the signature scent of Sham El‑Nessim.
This national holiday dates back over 4,500 years. In pharaonic times, people offered salted fish, lettuce, and onions to the gods during the harvest. Today, families gather in gardens, zoos, and homes, sharing the same salty fare, but this time the offering is for themselves, not the deities.
So, when spring rolls around in Egypt, expect a fragrant, salty celebration that links modern revelers directly to their ancient ancestors.