64 CultureShock! Egypt
Today, Nubians are a recognised ethnic group, and many of
the distinctions and barriers that separated them from other
Egyptians have lessened or disappeared.Bedouins
The Bedouins (traditionally nomadic, but now both nomadic
and settled) are perhaps the most distinct, though very small,
group of Egyptians. Nomadic Egyptians live, to some extent,
outside the confines of traditional Egyptian life and law.
Bedouins maintain their ethnic distinction through marriage
patterns, lifestyle and tradition.SOCIAL CLASS, POWER AND WEALTH
Social class is the most important delimiting factor in Egyptian
society, more so than any type of ethnic designation. Although
social class and ethnic distinction overlap somewhat, social
class structure determines access to power and position.
Therefore, recognition of existing social class structure is
what is important to Egyptians and to you in establishing
relationships within Egypt. Probably 98–99 per cent of the
population falls within the lower and middle classes, with
the rest occupying what can be termed an elite or upperToday, Nubians, like these two young girls, are considered a part of
Egyptian society and the distinctions between them and the other groups
are not as pronounced as they were in the past.