Siwans have always been isolated from the rest of the world and this probably accounts for some of their very different customs. In Siwa customs and traditions are completely different from the nine Islamic countries I have lived and researched in. The daily life of Siwan women even differs greatly from those of other oasis in Egypt.
It is strictly forbidden for a man to speak to or even see a Siwan female after she is married, unless it is his wife, his mother, his daughter, or in some cases sister-in.law should they be living in the same house. The women to this day are not doing any shopping nor do they help in the gardens. All their work is in their homes.
The Siwans are very close society. The 11’000 inhabitants originate from seven families. I know men and women living in Siwa who are from other parts of Egypt. They are married to natives for more than 25 years and they and their children are still referred to as strangers.
After the tragic disaster in 1985, I was able to organize aid to the 237 families (approximately 1’500 inhabitants) that lost their homes. A Swiss federal grant of Frs. 50 000 and 40 000 Egyptian Pounds from Caritas, Cairo was distributed to the 237 families. After this monetary assistance the Siwans Sheiks, local council and inhabitants realized, I am living among them, in order to help find solutions for their difficulties.
These successful efforts were honored by the Siwan inhabitants by admitting me to all their homes hitherto closed to Egyptians and foreigners.
In early 1986 I brought to the attention of then Governor Yousry el Shamy that even though the Marsa Matruh Governorate has an excellent hospital in Siwa for it´s residents, the women of Siwa are reluctant to visit this hospital, because of their customs and traditions. I suggested to him that a Community Participation Medical Center especially designed and for the exclusive use of women and children should be constructed. This center should also include training facilities for the women in order to teach them child-delivery, nutritional and dietary education, hygiene etc.
The former Governor accepted this project in his letter mentioning he will cooperate in any respect in this project for women and children of Siwa.
From the Swiss donors for Architecture in Geneva, Switzerland I was able to obtain funding for the architectural design of Hassan Fathy.
© November 1986 Bettina Leopoldo
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