Running head: EGYPTS LOSS OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Rebecca Smith Egypts Loss of Cultural Diversity April 16, 2014 GCU 114

EGYPTS LOSS OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY Egypts Loss of Cultural Diversity Recently, many countries worldwide are experiencing losses in their cultural diversity.

Among the expansive list of countries that are losing their cultural diversity, Egypt can be found. The Egyptian culture has fallen victim to losses in both cultural diversity and biodiversity. These two terms are intimately related. Animals, plants, genes, and ecosystems directly tie into, and affect a populations culture. Without these factors cultures would not exist. The first example of cultural diversity being lost in Egypt is seen in the migratory and natural birds. With the coastal ecosystems of Egypt being affected by biodiversity, the regions cultural diversity is being affected as well. In ancient Egyptian times birds were idolized. Many of the ancient Egyptian gods were in the forms of birds (Hoaryredpoll, 2008). In modern Egyptian society birds are not considered gods, but they are seen as an important aspect of society. They are believed to show positive signs of the seasons to come when they migrate through Egypt. All along Egypts coast birds migrate and spend winters. Unfortunately, it is believed that thousands of these migratory birds are dying every year due to issues dealing with biodiversity (Hegazy, 2009). These revered birds are perishing from pollution, electrocution, and the degradation of their habitats and ecosystems (Yousuf, 2010). The cultural diversity of Egypt is dependent on the biological diversity. As these migratory and native birds continue to be threatened, Egyptian culture will continue to suffer.

EGYPTS LOSS OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY

http://bedouinhistorydesertsafari.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/migration-collage.jpg This image shows a few of the different types of migratory birds that are being severely affected in Egypt.

Another instance in the loss of Egyptian culture is seen in the damage of the Desert Gene Bank. The suffering of the Desert Gene Bank has caused many of the natural species in the area to die. This facility provides refuge for plants that are on the endangered species list. It holds plants that are native to the Egyptian regions. Plants have always been a part of the Egyptian culture. They are used in medicines, rituals, and prepared in unique cultural dishes. The plants that are native to Egypt are important to their culture because they provide much of their revenue and source of food. With the loss of the Desert Gene Bank there is no longer as much food security for Egypt (Styslinger, 2011). Food security affects the entire Egyptian population, therefore, their cultural identity is threatened.

EGYPTS LOSS OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY

http://blogs.worldwatch.org/nourishingtheplanet/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Egypt-protests-damage-Desert-Research-CenterGene-Bank-Sheikh-Zowaid-Sinai-biodiversity-Global-Crop-Diversity-Trust.jpg This image shows some of the endangered species that were lost when the Desert Gene Bank was damaged.

Although there are some major losses in the Egyptian culture, all hope is not lost. There have been many preservation attempts by Egyptian activist groups and the Egyptian government. The major reform that has taken place is in the legislation and is in the process of trying to be passed. The only reason that the legislation has not passed is because there are not enough financial resources and there is still a lack of awareness within the country (Hegazy, 2009). With the migratory and native birds dying at an accelerated rate, many officials are able to see how important a change is. Also, since the ruin of the Desert Gene Bank Egyptians are actively striving to make up for their losses. They realize that the Egyptian culture is dependent upon not losing any endangered plant species. Although there is a realization that a change needs to be made, the country is at a halt when deciding on what exactly needs to be done. According to Ahmad K. Hegazy, the professor of environmental sciences at Cairo University, the actions that will most likely be seen are the revision of the policies to reduce the degradation of ecosystems, restoration of the degraded habitats and ecosystems and the increase of national and

EGYPTS LOSS OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY international coordination (Hagazy, 2009). These plans are imperative if there is a chance in preserving Egypts cultural and biological diversity. Human interaction with nature allows there to be an unbreakable link between cultural diversity and biodiversity. The problems that Egypt is facing in biological diversity are directly harming areas of their cultural diversity. However, the Egyptian government has begun to take action and there are many activist groups that are fighting for their culture. The migratory birds and natural bird species, as well as the Gene Bank are only a few examples of how Egypt is

experiencing loss within their cultural diversity. Egyptian culture, both ancient and modern, have always shown to preserve and protect the nature that they are a part of. Without their natural surroundings the cultural diversity of Egypt will not survive.

EGYPTS LOSS OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY References Hegazy, A. (2009, June 1). State of Environment: Egypt. . Retrieved April 14, 2014, from http://www.greekgeo.noa.gr/docs/geo_symp/Egypt2.pdf Hoaryredpoll. (2008, June 9). The Bird Gods of Ancient Egypt. The Nightjar. Retrieved April 14, 2014, from http://hoaryredpoll.wordpress.com/2008/06/09/the-bird-gods-of-ancientegypt/ Styslinger, M. (2011, January 31). Genetic Diversity Lost with the Damage of Egypts Deserts Gene Bank. Nourishing the Planet. Retrieved April 14, 2014, from

http://blogs.worldwatch.org/nourishingtheplanet/genetic-diversity-lost-with-the-damageof-egypt%E2%80%99s-deserts-gene-bank-egypt-protests-damage-desert-research-centergene-bank-sheikh-zowaid-sinai-biodiversity-global-crop-diversity-trust/ Yousuf, K. (2010, January 1). State of Biodiversity in Africa. . Retrieved April 14, 2014, from http://www.unep.org/delc/Portals/119/State%20of%20biodiversity%20in%20Africa.pdf