There is a kind of silence that wraps around us as we ascend a mountain — where all that surrounds us is the expanse of clouds, a clear sky on the horizon, and the raw beauty of the landscape. Yet, within this quiet and stillness, there is an unspoken energy pulsing with life — the mountain’s vital role as a source of water, food, and energy. When talking about environmental protection, one often focuses on the vitality of the seas, the purity of air, and the health of the forests. Yet, how often does one pause to consider the health of the mountains? Far beyond a destination for hikers and climbers, mountains are also lifelines for both the communities that call them home and the global ecosystem that depends on them. For centuries, mountains in Egypt have been a living archive that have preserved the stories and culture of Indigenous Bedouin tribes like the Jebeleya in St. Catherine, who are skilled gardeners that rely on the mountains’ ecosystems to sustain their way of life. The culture and traditional ways of life of the Indigenous Bedouin tribes have often been misunderstood,…
Protecting Egypt’s Mountains: Indigenous Tourism and the Uncertain Future of a Cultural Legacy
December 22, 2024
