Summary

• Egyptians have a saying, “3zomet Marakbiya,” akin to inviting someone to an experience they might not actually intend to pursue. It symbolizes hospitality but doesn’t necessarily imply a genuine invitation, likening it to people in a boat in the sea, far from reality.
• Entering a new place or starting a new phase of life involves stepping in with the right leg, symbolizing prosperity and confidence. This age-old practice reflects the Egyptian belief in the power of certain actions for a positive outcome.
• Making a specific gasp while preparing Mulukhiya, a traditional dish, is believed to enhance its flavor. This tradition, passed down for centuries, showcases the unique cultural practices even in culinary arts.
• Finishing a glass of juice when visiting an Egyptian home is essential, as not doing so might be seen as offensive, particularly concerning the marriage prospects of their daughters. This tradition sheds light on Egyptian superstitions rooted in everyday customs.
• Egyptians hold beliefs about black crows and cats, associating them with bad luck and malevolent spirits, showcasing the prevalence of superstition in their culture and daily life.
• Twitching eyes, spilling coffee, or even a turned slipper are seen as signs of foretelling events, whether good or bad. These everyday occurrences carry deeper symbolic meanings in Egyptian culture, reflecting their belief in omens.

Traditions only Egyptians can understand are key factors in planning vacations in Egypt. This article is written by the ETP team, which will provide every traveler with all the information and details needed to fully understand the unique traditions of the ancient Egyptians. There are so many traditions and customs that are closely attached to the history of Egypt. The traditions of Egypt are as old as time and are built on modesty, honesty, respect, loyalty, and hospitality, offering every new visitor a look in the mind of the Egyptian public, who are known to be very kind and helpful. It is one of the most unique countries in the world, and it has the greatest ancient attractions, which were inherited by the ancients.

In addition to this, there are lots of traditions that were shared between the Egyptians tens of years ago. The Egyptian experience across the lands of Egypt is very special as every traveler will enjoy the unique climate, shopping, food, festivals, and enchanting attractions. The culture of Egypt is very diverse. The Arabic language of Egypt is very rich with many meanings and values that will make time in Egypt even more precious. Some of those traditions are normal, and you can even find them in other countries, but others are really strange and hard to understand for other cultures, and that is why we have collected in our article some of the most unfamiliar traditions & beliefs in Egypt so that whenever you get the chance to come and visit the land of Pharaohs, you don’t get surprised while checking closely those unique traditions. There are traditions only Egyptians can understand:

1- 3zomet Marakbiya

That expression is used when someone invites someone else to do something without insisting that he/she doesn’t really mean it. The word Marakbiya means the people in a boat in the middle of the sea, and they are definitely away from anyone else, so when someone is inviting another one to enjoy food, drink, or activity, it means that he doesn’t really mean since he won’t be able to apply what he offered.

The origin of the word Marakbiya comes from the word Markeb which means boat in English. It is treated as an unlikely invitation that may never be accepted because it is viewed as a form of courtesy. It is used by Egyptians all over the country as a common saying to express their good intention for offering the ultimate forms of hospitality to all guests.

2- Step-in With Your Right Leg

This is a very old tradition for the Egyptians which requires anyone to step with his right leg whenever he/she is about to enter a new place or to start a new life, just like getting inside the house after getting married to spend a life full of prosperity, happiness, and blessings.

It is a common practice and tradition practiced by people across Egypt and even people in other countries. Many believe stepping into a new building will offer a sense of power and confidence. This tradition can be seen engraved in the culture of even ancient Egypt as seen across all the carvings, wall images, and statues. It is still used by Egyptians all across the country at the moment.

3- Shah’el El-Mulukhiya “The Mulykhiya Gasp”

This is one of the strangest traditions in Egypt, and it is mainly for housewives. It is a gasp that should be made while preparing a dish of Mulukhiya to have a tasty dish. It requires the person to open his mouth and make a sound as if he/she were astonished. Even the Egyptian culinary arts have their own traditions when making Mulykhiya, garlic is added to the pot roasting before adding the Mulukhiya and the cook inhales the smell, which gives an insight into how it tastes.

Seeing this exotic traditional life in front of you will be a very enchanting sight to behold. It is very strange, we agree, but it has been a habit that has been inherited over the last centuries, and one generation after another teaches that movement to the other to have a perfect result.

4- Make Sure to Drink the Whole Glass of Juice

If you are visiting any Egyptian at his/her home, just make sure to drink the whole glass of juice that is served to you especially if they have daughters as they do believe that if you don’t finish the whole of your glass of juice that is an offense to them and that their daughters won’t get married “we will never know what is the connection” but what to say, it is really strange and interesting.

This tradition explores the uniqueness of the Egyptian traditions as this one truly stands out and showcases that the Egyptians believe in a number of strange traditions that are totally based on superstition.

5- Stay Away From the Black Crow & Cat

The Egyptians considered that a black crow brings very bad luck and they also believe that if a black crow stands over the roof of a house, it means that something bad is going to happen at that house and even someone may die. The same can be said regarding the black cat but what is stranger is that they believe that the black cat is a bad spirit that wanders on earth and they shouldn’t look at its eyes at all.

Superstation has always found its way across the culture and streets of Egypt, which explains how modern Egyptians believe in these traditions and how they believe in the powers of fate and its signs.

6- The Twitching Eyes

If you have experienced a twitching eye before, you will know that it is very irritating, but for the Egyptians, it is not just irritating. It means that something really bad is going to happen, especially if the twitching eye is the left one. Many believe it could be a simple eye disease allegory or involuntary reaction, but some also believe it could have some sort of supernational meaning.

There is no specific reason and purpose behind this strange tradition, which many Egyptians believe to be true. It is a bit weird that some Egyptians might take that into consideration that, to many travelers, it could be very cool and amazing to observe.

7- Having Baby Girls

The majority of Egyptians prefer having girls as that means getting a much better livelihood, although others prefer having boys to get someone who holds your name and commemorates your family name. The birth of a girl in Egypt is a sign of good wealth and fortune that is yet to come.

Egyptian society also believes that having a boy is a much easier process as the boys will grow up to be dependent men who will carry the names of their family, business, and future, but girls are seen as precious gems that need to be protected and honored before founding their path in life.

8- Spilling Coffee

Coffee is one of the most common Egyptian drinks, but if it happens and you accidentally spill your coffee, it means that something good is about to happen. This incident is seen as a sign of prosperity and joy that is to come, which can provide a very helpful and optimistic sensation.

This conception is highly common in all the households in Egypt and also the arab countries. This weird quirk carries a lot of meaning as a belief of realizing the good from the bad, which is a positive way to look at and continue with life.

9- Beware of the Turned Slipper

What makes Egyptian society unique is its marvelous traditions which affect every single aspect even when it comes to the simple slippers. The Egyptians consider turning slippers the worst thing and that if someone saw a turned one and left it that way, something bad is going to happen and it may also bring the devil into the house.

It highlights that everything has to be in order and organized so no one can fall accidentally and hurt him or herself.