The land of Egypt and its civilization may be ancient, dating back to more than 5,000 years ago; however, most of the population intermarried over the ages, bringing in a pool of genes and making Egyptians very diverse. A great example would be the ancient tribe of Jebeliya, residing in Saint Catherine, South Sinai. The Bedouins who made homes out of the mountains have been around for more than 1,400 years and their story is definitely worth sharing.

I first met the Jebeliya people back in 2017, when I went to South Sinai for my first hiking attempt. I hiked Mount Sinai, the second-highest mountain in Egypt after Mount Catherine, and where the biblical story of Moses receiving the 10 commandments is believed to have taken place.

What Happened in South Sinai 1,400 Years Ago?

Back in the 6th Century AD, the famed Saint Catherine Monastery was built, under the jurisdiction of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, at the foot of Mount Sinai where it’s believed to be where the burning bush was. Justinian sent 200 Roman soldiers and their families to guard the monastery; half of which were Egyptians and the other half came from the Black Seas region. Those were one of the very first people to settle in the South Sinai desert, and over the years, intermarried with other Arab tribes, and converted to Islam.

What Does Jebeliya Mean?

“Jebeliya” comes from the word “jebel“, which means “mountain” in Arabic. This refers to the fact that the Bedouin tribesmen live in the Sinai mountains of Saint Catherine, unlike other Bedouin tribes that normally live in tents. The Jebeliya people live in stone-made houses in the mountains’ lower altitudes during winter, while in summer, they move to their bustans or karms, gardens where they reside in better weather conditions.

Customs and Traditions

• The Jebeliya tribe celebrates several feasts, honoring Prophet Moses, Prophet Aaron, Virgin Mary, Saint George, and Saint Catherine.
• Camel races are sometimes held in September when the feast of Prophet Moses takes place.
• A Bedouin legend says that if one throws a pebble on top of a large flat boulder, referred to as a wishing rock, and it stays up there, one’s wish shall be granted.
• The Jebeliya people’s super romantic proposal involves a man drawing an outline of his foot on a boulder as a means to express his love for a woman. If she accepts, she’d then draw an outline of hers next to it.

What Not to Miss in Saint Catherine

• Visit the Saint Catherine Monastery.
• Do the 3-Peak Challenge, which is hiking the highest three mountains in Egypt; Mount Catherine, Mount Abbas, and Mount Sinai in 12, 24, or 72 hours.
• Explore the heavenly valleys and canyons of Saint Catherine, especially Wadi Tlah and Wadi El Arbae’in.
• Stop by Hajar Musa (Rock of Moses) when in Wadi El Arbae’in. This is where Moses struck the rock and water came out of 12 springs.
• Visit Aaron’s Tomb.
• Bring home some honey, almonds, and olive oil. The finest of these you’ll ever come across are found in this paradise in the heart of South Sinai.

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You might also like:

• St Catherine, Egypt: From Fascinating History to Mindblowing Views
• Mount Sinai, Egypt: A Complete Guide to an Epic Hike
• Epic Things to Do in Dahab: Your Unconventional Guide
• Unusual Egypt Itinerary: A South Sinai Road Trip

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