Wahet Siwah "from Berber Siwa, the prey bird; protector of the sun god Amon-Ra"
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Siwa has a unique atmosphere, an ambience that is genuinely relaxing, truly a magical place. It can be reached either along the desert road from Bahariyya or, more usually, down from Marsa Matruh on the northern coast. There is also an air service though you need to check first about when flights are leaving from Cairo.
Siwa has two populations, originally. The Siwans, who are berber in origin, and the Bedouin, who inhabit villages around the edge of the Oasis and whose gaily dressed women are not as reclusive as the native Siwans.
One is struck in Siwa by the ruined mud town of Old Shali that was abandoned, finally, in the 1980s after severe rain damage. It is next to the new town of Shali and looks like a ruined castle made of mud pies. You can visit it by picking your way through the darkened passageways but mind where you step. The whole town was riddled with underground tunnels and some may just collapse if burdened by too many people at once.
Siwa is most famous as being the site of the Oracle visited by Alexander the Great in 3XXBC. As well as being able to visit the reputed site of the Oracle there is Cleopatra’s pool and the ruined town to visit, to name but a few of the sights.
Siwan Crafts
You can get unique ceramic tajin, Saharan cooking pots, handmade and fired in bread ovens rather than kilns. Wedding dresses of stunning design are made by women, who dress plainly the rest of the year. Another unusual item are wooden boxes, small and circular made from palmwood. They are believed to be of Tuareg origin, forging a connection across the Sahara from Egypt to Algeria.Siwa is also famous for his handmade silver jewelry.
Music in Siwa
Siwans tend to keep in musical practice for the four big festivals they hold each year, as well as their highly musical weddings. The biggest festival, Siayha, which anyone can attend, draws over 10,000 Siwans to nearby Jebel Dakhour for three days of feasting, dancing and singing.
The Oracle
It is located outside the main Siwan town of Sahli in the village of Aghurmi.
Built in the 26th dynasty the Oracle is a spectacular temple with marvelous views from the top of Aghurmi hill. In ancient times hidden priests would answer questions and foretell the future. Alexander the Great asked if he was the son of Zeus ie. a living god. The answer was supposedly no.
