Folk Art

Any book about Egypt will usually show you the wonderful wall paintings in the tombs of the pharaohs and nobles, but very few show the artworks that adorn houses and shops today.

Here, on the frontage of a souvenir shop near Medinet Habu is a large mural depicting the traditional life of the country people. From left to right is a clay oven used for baking bread, a family meal, ploughing with oxen (now being replaced by tractors), and finally women bringing jars of water from the well - although most houses have mains water.

It's rare to see such murals on souvenir shops here - most have Ancient Egyptian designs covering their walls, but as this shop specialises in craft items, it is hardly surprising.