This is probably the most important collection of the finest contemporany ethnographic artifacts from any area in Egypt. The exhibition features almost 400 Siwan objects, an audio slide presentation, 60 photos and folklore music. Also shown at the exhibition for the first time is the award-winning documentary film about Siwa by the well-know filmmaker NIna Fischer.
This exhibition was first shown in 1986 at the Etnographic Museum in Geneva, Switzerland, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Egyptian-Swiss Friendship Treaty. This collection and exhibition were put together by Swiss Socail -ethnologist Bettina Leopoldo and her husband, Leonardo, an internationally known photographer, with the asistance of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture.
In 1981, when The Leopoldos first reached Siwa, they realizaed that many of the fie ethnographic artifacts had already disappeared. Determined to trace these objects, The Leopoldos went to the birth and marriage records of Europeans who lived in Alexandria
before the Second world war, hoping that some of these Greek and Italian families had been collectors of Siwan objects. They sent out almost 400 form letters, most of which returned unopened. But those who were answered led to Siwan artifacts in Cyprus, Greece, Italy and other countries of Europe.
If the reaction of those who have previously visited "EGYPT THE OASIS OF AMUN SIWA" is anything to judge by the continued sucess of the exhibition's world to seems assured.
For the past twelve years, bettina has been in the field living and researching in nine islamic countries (Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, MOrocco, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey) with an emphasis women. especially the female inhabitants of the isolated oasis of Siwa. Egypt. During this time she was able to learn the "siwa" language, an unwritten Berber dialect. Siwans speak Arabic as a second language.
In Siwa, most young are married before they reach the age of fourteen. Only the immediate male members of the family are allowed to speak to them after marriage. For this reason, Bettina made a great effort to learn as much as possible about the marital life of women in siwa.
In a soon to be published book, Bettina notes that customs and traditionos in Siwa are completly different from the nine islamic countries she has lived and researched in. SShe observes that the daily life of Siwan women even differs greatly from those of other oasis in Egypt.
Nowadays most of Bettina´s time and energy is devoted to a most important project THE PRIMARY AND PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE CENTRE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN SIWA. Bettina is the Project Director and Co-ordinatgor of this proposed centre, partly funded by the Aga Khan Foundation and designed by late great Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy and as such represented the last design completed in a career filled with successful innovations.
The architectual design of Hassan Fathy is based on the use of appropriate building materials and techniques which respect the cultural heritage and the social, as well as the ecological needs of Siwa. The funding also monitors the construction stage, so as to ensure strict conformity to Hassan Bey's intentions, and will train 120 masons to build in the Hassan Fathy method . Dr. hassan Fathy lectured, that "proper architecture is the first step in prevntive health care", his favourite environment was the desert. Therefore it is fitting, that this building and the entire program, which it houses will become more of a lasting tribute to architect Hassan Fathy. Bettina is hopeful that construction will begin this year.
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