Nubian Food & Music: The Living Culture of Egypt's South
Beyond the temples, the Nubian south pulses with its own food, music and colour. A taste of the living African culture that makes Aswan unforgettable.
Egypt's ancient stones are only half the story. In the Nubian south, around Aswan, you find a living African culture with its own language, flavours and rhythms, and experiencing it is one of the warmest parts of any heritage trip.
The flavours
Nubian cooking is generous and homely: slow-cooked tagines, fragrant rice, fresh flatbread, dates and hibiscus tea, the deep-red karkade served hot or iced. Sharing a home-cooked meal in a Nubian village, seated together on cushions, is a highlight travelers talk about for years.
The music
Nubian music is joyful and hypnotic, built on the duff drum, hand-clapping and call-and-response singing. It is impossible to sit still. Many village visits end with music, and travelers up and dancing with their hosts.
The colour
Nubian homes are painted in brilliant blues, yellows and pinks, decorated with domes and patterns. It is one of the most photogenic places in Egypt, and a direct thread to a distinct African heritage.
Experience living Nubian culture on a heritage journey.
See our Aswan & Nubia toursFrequently Asked Questions
What is Nubian food like?
Warm and homely, slow-cooked tagines, fragrant rice, fresh flatbread, dates and karkade (hibiscus tea). Sharing a home-cooked meal in a village is a trip highlight.
What is Nubian music?
Joyful, rhythmic music built on the duff drum, clapping and call-and-response singing. Many village visits end with music and dancing with the hosts.