The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) dedicated two days to celebrating the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Qena governorate, blending ancient legacies with living traditions in a vibrant showcase. The event, held as part of NMEC’s Egyptian Governorates program, aims to highlight the tangible and intangible heritage of a different region of Egypt every month.
Qena, a governorate nestled between the Nile Valley and the Red Sea, has long been a crossroads of trade, pilgrimage, and cultural exchange. It is the cradle of the prehistoric Naqada civilization, considered one of Egypt’s earliest centers of social and artistic development.
Among Qena’s celebrated crafts is the blue pottery of Garagous, a village where artisans preserve techniques that echo back to pharaonic times. Visitors also explored Ferka textiles, handwoven fabrics that earned Qena a reputation as a hub for fine craftsmanship. Both Ferka weaving and the oral tradition of the Sirah Al-Hilaliya (Epic of Beni Hilal) — championed by poets such as the late Am Said El Dawi — are inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, placing Qena on the global map of cultural preservation.
The opening festivities were marked by performances of Tahteeb, the traditional stick art also recognized by UNESCO. Folk music from Qena resonated through the museum’s halls, setting the stage for exhibitions that transported visitors to the heart of the governorate’s traditions.
Photographer Ahmed Mostafa, whose work was featured in the exhibition, highlighted rare images of Saqiffa, an architectural practice unique to Qena where families extend their homes by bridging two buildings without obstructing the streets below. His collection also captured the guardians of Dendera Temple and festive Tahteeb scenes during local Moulid celebrations.
The exhibition further spotlighted Naqada’s pigeon towers, once home to wild pigeons nurtured by local families — their design strikingly similar to ancient Egyptian models in NMEC’s permanent collection. Visitors were also introduced to zir pottery, the large clay vessels used to cool and store water, and the intricately carved wooden doors of Naqada, reminiscent of those in neighboring Esna.
Officials noted that the program not only preserves local heritage but also feeds into Egypt’s Vision 2030 by promoting cultural tourism and encouraging community pride in regional traditions. “What NMEC is doing is stitching together a national narrative through local voices,” said cultural anthropologist Dr. Mona El-Kassas. “By giving equal visibility to governorates like Qena, the museum underscores Egypt’s diversity beyond the pyramids and pharaohs.”
Museum sources told The Middle East Observer that upcoming editions of the Egyptian Governorates program will include Aswan and Siwa Oasis, focusing on Nubian crafts and Berber traditions, respectively. Officials are also considering international collaborations with UNESCO and regional cultural centers to expand the program’s reach.
