Tribal Talks

Documenting Egypt’s tribes has always been a dream of mine. So when I was approached in 2021 by Eco Egypt, in partnership with Blue Camel Media (my previous production company), I didn’t hesitate to dive in. Over the course of nearly two years, this project became a deep part of my life.

It was a small, two-person crew: Hamsa Mansour as director and co-producer, and myself as co-producer, cinematographer, and post-production. Together, we traveled across Egypt, meeting and living with people from 11 different tribes:

1. The Jabaliya Tribe - قبيلة الجبالية

2. The Muzeina Tribe - قبيلة المزينة

3. The Tarabin Tribe - قبيلة الترابين

4. People of Al Gharqana Village - أهل قرية الغرقانة

5. The Nubians-النوبيون

6. The Ababda Tribe - قبيلة العبابدة
   

7. The Ababda Tribe - قبيلة العبابدة

8. The Amazigh Tribes - قبائل الأمازيغ

9. Matrouh Tribes - قبائل مطروح

10. People of Bahareya Oasis - أهل البحرية

11. People of Farafra Oasis - أهل الفرافرة

This wasn’t just a filming assignment; it was a life-changing experience. We walked the Eastern Desert with an Ababda shepherd, spent hours at sea with Muzeina fishermen (getting eaten alive by mosquitoes), and ate Aseeda for breakfast inside a Leika (a wooden shelter made from Acacia branches) alongside the Beshary people. Each tribe welcomed us into their way of life, offering glimpses of tradition, resilience, and a connection to the land that few get to experience.

Tribal Talks is a series that celebrates Egypt’s indigenous diversity; its rhythms, rituals, and stories. It has been screened at El Gouna Film Festival, COP, and other environmental and cultural summits.

This project isn’t just about preservation, it’s about presence. About seeing and listening. And I’m honored to have been part of telling it.