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A night scene on the Nile near the mouth of the Cairo canal, during the festival of Gebr... 1862. Creator: Unknown
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A night scene on the Nile near the mouth of the Cairo canal, during the festival of Gebr... 1862. Creator: Unknown
A night scene on the Nile near the mouth of the Cairo canal, during the festival of Gebr-el-Haleeg, or breaking the canal, 1862. View of...the "Yom Wefa el Nil" (or "day of the completion or abundance of the river")...[an] ancient and singular festival...[which] is simply the breaking or cutting of a dam that is constructed at the mouth of the Cairo Canal after the Nile has commenced rising, which generally happens about the period of the summer solstice...The amusements are continued throughout the night...Those who can afford it prefer passing the evening on board a "dahabieh, " or pleasure-boat...Shortly after sunset the fireworks commence, and continue at intervals throughout the night. On this occasion the display was more than ordinarily magnificent...A battery of fieldpieces in position upon the plain, in the immediate vicinity of the canal, varied the entertainments by occasional salvos, the natives having the keenest relish for this description of music...The noise and confusion are astounding. Steamers and sailing-vessels are crowded together promiscuously; all are decorated with variegated lamps...The large tower to the right is the "Sakior, " used for the purpose of raising water for the supply of Cairo'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862
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Media ID 35125769
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EDITORS COMMENTS
A Night Scene on the Nile: Celebrating the Festival of Gebr-el-Haleeg, 1862 This evocative image captures the magic and excitement of the ancient festival of Gebr-el-Haleeg, or 'the breaking of the canal,' which took place near the mouth of the Cairo Canal in 1862. The night scene on the Nile is a visual feast for the eyes, with the shimmering waters reflecting the myriad lights from the boats and the towering Sakior tower. The festival marks the completion of the Nile's annual flooding, a crucial event for the agricultural economy of Egypt. The ancient celebration was characterized by the breaking of a dam at the mouth of the canal, allowing the river to flow freely into the irrigation system. The festivities continued throughout the night, with revelers taking to the water on dahabiehs, or pleasure boats, to enjoy the spectacle. Shortly after sunset, the night sky came alive with fireworks, their brilliant colors reflecting on the water. The display was more than ordinarily magnificent on this occasion, with a battery of fieldpieces adding to the cacophony of sounds. The noise and confusion were astounding, with steamers and sailing vessels crowded together, all decorated with variegated lamps. The Sakior tower, used for raising water for the supply of Cairo, looms large in the image, a testament to the engineering prowess of the ancient Egyptians. The festival of Gebr-el-Haleeg was a unique and singular event, a celebration of the natural wonders of the Nile and the rich cultural heritage of Egypt.
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