Egypt’s minorities turn to technology to safeguard their heritage

Preserving language and culture is never easy for minority communities—especially in a country where one dominant culture prevails. In Egypt, members of the Coptic, Nubian, and Amazigh (Berber) communities are increasingly using the internet to share their languages and traditions in hopes of passing them on to future generations, according to Al-Monitor.

Amr al-Sharkawy, a Muslim from a small village in northern Egypt, became fascinated with the Coptic language—which ancient Egyptians spoke before Arabic became widespread—when he was young. Today, he teaches Coptic at the Franciscan Cultural Center for Coptic Studies in Cairo and runs online lessons, sharing resources and knowledge through Facebook groups dedicated to the language and its heritage.

Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church, led by Pope Tawadros II, estimates there are around 15 million Copts in the country. However, far fewer speak Coptic fluently, as the language is mostly limited to church services and a few communities in Egypt’s south.

Sharkawy says grassroots efforts are paying off. “Year after year, the number of specialists and students of the Coptic language is increasing, and so are the centers teaching it,” he told Al-Monitor.

Nubian culture has also felt the pressures of assimilation into the Arab mainstream. While many older Nubians in southern Egypt still speak the language, younger generations often lose touch with it as they migrate or focus on Arabic for economic reasons.

“To keep our language alive, we teach it online, post about it on social media, and sing our Nubian songs together,” said Ahmed Essa, a Nubian poet in his mid-60s who has been sharing lessons on YouTube.

The Amazigh, or Berber, community in Egypt faces similar challenges. “Amazigh culture in Egypt is currently at risk under fierce Arab acculturation,” said Amani al-Washahi, who represents Egypt’s Amazigh at the World Amazigh Congress.

Koila Agneby, a young Berber who learned his culture’s language and traditions from elders rather than formal schooling, now produces Facebook and YouTube content to promote Amazigh heritage.

“We teach our children that we are Berbers,” Agneby explained.