“Here I found love, peace, and beauty in everything around me,” says Faten Abu Bakr after living in Upper Egypt for one year. Originally from Alexandria, Faten Abu Bakr, a 25-year-old visual storyteller, decided to move to the far south of Egypt due to her belief that there was more to this side of the country than poverty, vengeance, and ignorance, contrary to popular belief. “I felt that this land has enough peace and love for the world to overflow.” Together with Aswan-born, Qena-based documentary filmmaker Mahmoud Ahmad, popularly known as Mahmoud Hawary, their passion towards human stories, and their goal to change the stereotypical image portrayed in the media about Upper Egypt, they launched Humans of Upper Egypt in 2018. Hawary, 33, describes himself as a “Sa’idi man to the core.” *Sa’idi is a man from Upper Egypt. Scrolling through their platform, one can easily sense the feeling of belonging and the connection that the founders harbour towards the southern side of Egypt. From historical facts about architecture in Upper Egypt, and their customs and traditions, to occupations and crafts, as well as special events and celebrations, their photos…
Humans of Upper Egypt: Breaking Stereotypes on Egypt’s Misrepresented Communities
November 17, 2021
