Explore Nubian culture in Cairo

Before entering the single-storey villa, the visitor knocks on the door or rings the doorbell. A young man opens with a smile and ushers you in.

Once inside, forget Cairo and embark on a journey inside the calm atmosphere of Nubia. Take off your shoes. The floor is covered in sand and handmade rugs. It’s just like going into a Nubian home.

El-Fadel, whose nickname is Romeo el-Aswany, told the Egyptian Mail that Nobadia has been open only five months.

“It is really a kingdom for us. Here we introduce everything about Nubia,” el-Fadel said.

In this spacious hallway, you can sit on the floor and enjoy traditional Nubian beverages such as kerkadeh (hibiscus), which El-Fadel brings from Aswan.

Some steps lead to a blue-painted door on which are designs of the palm of Fatima, a palm tree, a crescent and stars. On the left hand is a drawing of a woman and a man with the Nile, a boat and their domed house in the background.

“This drawing represents the time when the Nubians left their villages when the national project of Aswan High Dam was built in the 1960s,” he said.

The main hall houses a library with books in several languages about the art, music and culture of Nubia and Egypt.

The wall is painted dark orange and decorated with designs of palm trees, Nubian houses, plants and colourful geometric designs.

“Women in Nubia draw and colour this kind of thing in their mud-brick homes,” he said.

Palm trees are used for making everything from household ornaments, kitchen utensils.

“In Nubia three things are sacred: the palm tree, the Nile and the woman,” said el-Fadel, who is a professional photographer.

On display is a black gergar, a garment usually worn by married Nubian women.

A drawing shows five men in white galabiyas and white turbans playing the tanpura and the tambourine made of goatskin. One of them is holding a stick and is about to dance. The real instruments hang beside the drawings.

There is a hall for receiving male guests without their seeing anything inside the house for the sake of the women’s privacy.

Another room is a gallery with photos of Aswan’s landmarks.

“If a tourist comes to Cairo for a one-day visit, and has no time to visit Aswan. We welcome him here and give him all details about the arts and touristic places in Aswan. So, when he visits Egypt next time, he will have an idea about these places.

“Our centre helps stimulate tourism to Aswan,” he said.

Another room celebrates famous Nubians. A big portrait of singer Mohamed Mounir, who is now 67, is here. Mounir’s musical career spans more than four decades. He is known for his songs that mix classical Egyptian, Nubian, blues, jazz and reggae.

Nobadia is also the place for Nubians living in Cairo.

“When they feel homesick, they come to the centre, even though there are many Nubian cafes in Cairo, Nobadia is different.

“Nobadia is not a business. Rather, it informs the public about Nubian culture,” he said.

El-Fadel recommended that the visitors to the centre should refrain from smoking, leave their footwear at the door, and no loud noises.

“We hold concerts here without amplification equipment.”