Egypt's Nubians tame crocodiles for selfie-snapping tourists

Photos

Login / Sign Up

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Gold / Forex

Photos News

Egypt's Nubians tame crocodiles for selfie-snapping tourists

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

Published: March 09, 2020 11:00 Compiled by Christian Borbon, Digital Content Producer and inputs from AFP

1 of 15

Copy of 609099-01-08-1583734698471 — Deep in the Nubia, a region along the Nile in southern Egypt, a baby crocodile sits on Mamdouh Hassan's shoulder to wow tourists. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 15

Copy of 609110-01-08-1583734668233 — The reptiles are a source of income for Egypt's Nubian minority, with visitors paying to marvel at the tamed creatures. Image Credit: AFP

3 of 15

Copy of 609108-01-08-1583734665050 — 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. Image Credit: AFP

4 of 15

Copy of 609113-01-08-1583734674608 — Mohamed Mamdouh shows a baby crocodile at his house in the Nubian village of Gharb Soheil. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 15

Copy of 609109-01-08 [1]-1583734656514 — The Nubians traditionally lived along the banks of the Nile in southern Egypt with roots extending into northern Sudan. Image Credit: AFP

6 of 15

Copy of 609111-01-08-1583734671582 — In Gharb Soheil, a Nubian village near Aswan, mummified crocodile heads still adorn the doors of the traditional blue and white domed homes. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 15

Copy of 609117-01-08-1583734686854 — Crocodiles represent an important physical totem of blessings in Nubian belief. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 15

Copy of 609116-01-08-1583734683590 — Children watch a crocodile kept inside a cage at a house in the Nubian village of Gharb Soheil. Image Credit: AFP

9 of 15

Copy of 609101-01-08-1583734659165 — Keeping crocodiles became a way to supplement incomes and promote their heritage. Image Credit: AFP

10 of 15

Copy of 609115-01-08-1583734680564 — Visitors snap selfies with the lounging beasts, while the villagers regale the tourists with Nubian folk tales about the crocodiles. Image Credit: AFP

11 of 15

Copy of 609114-01-08-1583734677499 — Mamdouh Hassan shows a baby crocodile at his house in the Nubian village of Gharb Soheil. Image Credit: AFP

12 of 15

Copy of 609100-01-08-1583734701031 — 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. Image Credit: AFP

13 of 15

Copy of 609106-01-08-1583734661998 — 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. Image Credit: AFP

14 of 15

Copy of 609119-01-08-1583734692346 — Mamdouh Hassan shows a crocodile to visitors at his house in the Nubian village of Gharb Soheil Image Credit: AFP

15 of 15

Copy of 609118-01-08-1583734689498 — Mohamed Mamdouh, the son of Hussein, shows a baby crocodile at his house in the Nubian village of Gharb Soheil. Image Credit: AFP

Latest In

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.