Egypt's Nubians tame crocodiles for selfie-snapping tourists

The reptiles are a source of income for Egypt's Nubian minority

Last updated: March 09, 2020 | 11:27

Compiled by Christian Borbon, Digital Content Producer and Inputs from AFP

2 MIN READ

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Deep in the Nubia, a region along the Nile in southern Egypt, a baby crocodile sits on Mamdouh Hassan's shoulder to wow tourists.

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The reptiles are a source of income for Egypt's Nubian minority, with visitors paying to marvel at the tamed creatures.

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But beyond bringing in tourist dollars, crocodiles play an important role in the culture of the ethnic group with a history dating to Pharaonic times and its own unique language.

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Mohamed Mamdouh shows a baby crocodile at his house in the Nubian village of Gharb Soheil.

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The Nubians traditionally lived along the banks of the Nile in southern Egypt with roots extending into northern Sudan.

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In Gharb Soheil, a Nubian village near Aswan, mummified crocodile heads still adorn the doors of the traditional blue and white domed homes.

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Crocodiles represent an important physical totem of blessings in Nubian belief.

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Children watch a crocodile kept inside a cage at a house in the Nubian village of Gharb Soheil.

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Keeping crocodiles became a way to supplement incomes and promote their heritage.

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Visitors snap selfies with the lounging beasts, while the villagers regale the tourists with Nubian folk tales about the crocodiles.

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Mamdouh Hassan shows a baby crocodile at his house in the Nubian village of Gharb Soheil.

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The crocodiles are a source of income for Egypt's Nubian minority, with tourists paying to marvel at the tamed creatures, which are much more rare to see wild in the Nile.

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But beyond bringing in tourist dollars, crocodiles play an important role in the culture of the Nubian community, an ethnic group with a history dating to Pharaonic times and its own unique language.

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Mamdouh Hassan shows a crocodile to visitors at his house in the Nubian village of Gharb Soheil

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Mohamed Mamdouh, the son of Hussein, shows a baby crocodile at his house in the Nubian village of Gharb Soheil.

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