ON THE PEASANT POPULATION OF MODERN EGYPT. 



329 



Culture of the Peasant Population of Modern Eiypt.— Report 

 of Committee CProi. J. L. Myres, Chairman ; L. H. Dudley Buxton, 

 Secretary ; Mr. H. Balfour, Mr. E. N. Fallaize, Capt. Hilton 

 Simpson, Prof. H. J. Rose). 



The Committee has received the following interim report from Miss Winifred S. 

 Blackman, who has been enabled by grants from the Royal Society and from the Percy 

 iSladen Trustees to spend the greater part of the past season in the Fayum province 

 ■of Egypt. 



While Miss Blackman has received much encouragement and valuable help from 

 Egyptian officials and private individuals, the Committee regrets that the Association's 

 •efforts to obtain support for her work from the Egyptian Government have hitherto 

 Jbeen without result. 



Report from 3Iiss Winifred S. Blackman. 



During this season in Egypt I have confined my work almost entirely to Faynm 

 province, as funds were not large enough to admit of my travelhng further south. This 

 province also is a profitable one for my work. It is off the beaten track, and therefore 

 the customs among the felldhln are very primitive. I have made my headquarters in 

 the town of Fayum, which is a good centre from whence I have visited most of the 

 province. 



The Under-Secretary of State, to whom the Oriental Secretary, Mr. Furness, gave 

 me an introduction, was most kind, and communicated with the officials in Fayum, 

 telling them to see that I had suitable accommodation there. The Inspector of State 

 Buildings, Selim Bey, kindly lent me his Rest House in Fayum, where I have stayed 

 most of the time. 



I have continued my studies of the customs, industries, &c., of the felldhln, and have 

 -added considerably to the information I have gained in previous years. I think I 

 have now collected sufficient material for my book on Coptic Saints and MusUm 

 Sheikhs and the customs and beliefs connected with these highly venerated saints. 

 Most of these customs and beliefs are direct survivals from those associated with the 

 local gods of ancient times. I hope to get this book completed this year. 



I have made a further study of pottery-making, and, though I have not come across 

 different methods from those I have studied in previous years, I have seen different 

 ■implements used in the manufacture of some of the vessels, and I have collected them 

 and am bringing them with me to England ; also samples of the clay, &c., used for the 

 different pots. 



I have collected a number of superstitions and charms from among the felldhln, 

 •especially from the women, and also primitive medical cures. 



I have obtained more information on the beUef in ' the double ' — a belief which is 

 ■deeply rooted and widely spread all over this country. I have also studied the behef 

 .about the ukht, which one or two authorities have thought was the same as the karln 

 (or double). I have found that it is a quite distinct personality, and this should help 

 to throw light on the whole question of the kann, which has hitherto been somewhat 

 •confused. I have witnessed and photographed two or three fertility rites which I 

 have not seen before, and obtained more information on Sheikh possession and other 

 beliefs. 



I have taken a large number of photographs of industries and ceremonies, as well 

 as of the scenery of this province, which varies very much. It is work which must be 

 •done very slowly if it is to be accurate, and there is any amount more to be done. 

 All the local differences must be studied, and the oases and Lower Nubia should be 

 included in the area. I have many more years of work ahead, if only I can obtain 

 ■sufficient financial assistance. 



