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Ibn Balad: How to Be a “Good” Egyptian Samaritan

February 10, 2023

“Ana Ibn Balad, ana bafham fel ossoul” (I am a child of the country, I understand manners). Egyptian singer Mohamed Fouad’s unique romantic selling point in his otherwise standard Egyptian love song ‘Ibn Balad’ – which accrued almost 6 million views on YouTube since 2011 – is nothing more than this; he is a self-proclaimed ‘child of the country.’ In his defense, it is unquestionably one of the most self-approving statements one can make, packing a distinctive cultural reverence behind its simplicity. Whether consciously or not, many Egyptians hope to be introduced as the venerable ‘Ibn Balad’ (child of the country). But, what does it mean to be a “child of the country?” What invaluable virtue is Mohamed Fouad attempting to sell to his desirable love-interest? And who is the renowned Egyptian poet, Ahmed Fouad Negm (1929-2013), referring to in his inspiring piece of the same title? To Negm, Ibn ElBalad is the country’s “morning,” its “victory,” its “wheat,” and its “spear.” So, what does it take to earn such lionization? Is it simply inherited with the passport? Ahmed Amin (1886-1954), Egyptian folklore historian from Cairo, notably concluded his life with…


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