Fatima Sherifa Chirine

What people wore

Common dress for Cairo men

In Cairo, ordinary men typically wore a simple cotton robe called a gallabiya, often white for those in commerce or blue for laborers, paired with a red tarboush or a turban.

Getting around

Fast train travel between cities

In 1902, express trains traveled the 130 miles between Cairo and Alexandria in three hours and 50 minutes, though by the early 20th century some faster expresses covered 120-130 miles in as little as two and a half to three hours.

At the table

Bartering Corn for Sweets

In rural villages, children sometimes purchased sweets by bartering a single ear of corn for a piece of Turkish delight.

Music

Awalem Troupes in Early 20th Century Egypt

In the early 20th century, female singing and dancing troupes known as Awalem were popular, typically consisting of eight women led by an osta who followed a strict dress code.

Daily life

Limited access to formal schooling

In 1917, only 29 percent of school-age boys and 6 percent of girls received formal education, often in traditional religious kuttabs that lacked proper equipment. These village schools primarily focused on teaching the Koran and basic literacy, frequently operating in unhygienic premises with inadequate staff.

What it cost

Daily wages for Egyptian workers

In the early 20th century, a daily wage for an unskilled Egyptian worker was typically three piastres, while a skilled worker earned up to eight piastres.