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I was today years old when I learned that Sharif is not a native Egyptian but of Lebanese to a Melkite Greek Catholic family of Lebanese descent, making him and his family members of the Antiochian Greek Christian minority (also known as Rūm) and here he is with 2c hair curl type that he had to straighten for movies.
Yatunde Lisa Bey Member # 22253
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quote:In Egypt, as well as other nations with Syrian and Lebanese diaspora communities, the Levantines mainly identified by religion and city of origin, rather than by ethnicity. For example, one could identify as a "Greek Catholic from Zahle", while another could identify as "Greek Orthodox from Aleppo". For the most part, religious denomination and city of origin were more important to the Levantines than an actual "Levantine" or "Syro-Lebanese" identity. This may explain why it was generally easy for the Syro-Lebanese to assimilate into their newly found homelands and mix with other Christian populations, especially in Egypt. In Egypt, as well as other nations with Syrian and Lebanese diaspora communities, the Levantines mainly identified by religion and city of origin, rather than by ethnicity. For example, one could identify as a "Greek Catholic from Zahle", while another could identify as "Greek Orthodox from Aleppo". For the most part, religious denomination and city of origin were more important to the Levantines than an actual "Levantine" or "Syro-Lebanese" identity. This may explain why it was generally easy for the Syro-Lebanese to assimilate into their newly found homelands and mix with other Christian populations, especially in Egypt. However, the Egyptians, and especially the Coptic Orthodox Christians, could easily point out a Levantine's non-native background due to their foreign Christian background, if not by their overall lighter skin tone .
quote:After generations of living in Egypt, most of this community's descendants, now with Egyptian nationality, tended to identify more as "Egyptian", rather than "Levantine", "Syrian", or "Lebanese", while still maintaining their original Christian sect of identity. However, intermarriage for the Levantines in Egypt eventually became more common after generations, either with native Coptic Christians whom are in millions or with other foreign minority Christians such as Greeks, Armenians, and Maltese. There was much less intermarriage between Levantine Christians and native Muslims, as marriage between Christians and Muslims is still considered taboo in Egypt.
BrandonP Member # 3735
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Considering how I've seen people present Omar Sharif as someone who could have convincingly played an ancient Egyptian ruler in a movie, it's amusing for me to learn that his family had recent Lebanese roots. Even if there are other Egyptian actors resembling him whose family history goes further back in Egypt, he's not someone I would hold up as a "true indigenous Egyptian" for that reason.
Would the guys saying that any modern Egyptian national can play an ancient Egyptian person accept an Egyptian national with South Sudanese or Ethiopian family roots? I doubt it.
quote:Originally posted by Yatunde Lisa Bey:
quote:In Egypt, as well as other nations with Syrian and Lebanese diaspora communities, the Levantines mainly identified by religion and city of origin, rather than by ethnicity. For example, one could identify as a "Greek Catholic from Zahle", while another could identify as "Greek Orthodox from Aleppo". For the most part, religious denomination and city of origin were more important to the Levantines than an actual "Levantine" or "Syro-Lebanese" identity. This may explain why it was generally easy for the Syro-Lebanese to assimilate into their newly found homelands and mix with other Christian populations, especially in Egypt. In Egypt, as well as other nations with Syrian and Lebanese diaspora communities, the Levantines mainly identified by religion and city of origin, rather than by ethnicity. For example, one could identify as a "Greek Catholic from Zahle", while another could identify as "Greek Orthodox from Aleppo". For the most part, religious denomination and city of origin were more important to the Levantines than an actual "Levantine" or "Syro-Lebanese" identity. This may explain why it was generally easy for the Syro-Lebanese to assimilate into their newly found homelands and mix with other Christian populations, especially in Egypt. However, the Egyptians, and especially the Coptic Orthodox Christians, could easily point out a Levantine's non-native background due to their foreign Christian background, if not by their overall lighter skin tone .
quote:After generations of living in Egypt, most of this community's descendants, now with Egyptian nationality, tended to identify more as "Egyptian", rather than "Levantine", "Syrian", or "Lebanese", while still maintaining their original Christian sect of identity. However, intermarriage for the Levantines in Egypt eventually became more common after generations, either with native Coptic Christians whom are in millions or with other foreign minority Christians such as Greeks, Armenians, and Maltese. There was much less intermarriage between Levantine Christians and native Muslims, as marriage between Christians and Muslims is still considered taboo in Egypt.
Could you please post links to your sources for these quotes?
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Another example of why 'Cairy-wood' or Egyptian film stars no more represent Baladi (indigenous) Egyptians than Bollywood represents India (Most Bollywood stars are of Afghan origin).
I've heard only recently are Baladi being hired to play parts in movies but traditionally they have been relegated to the background as servants etc. same as African Americans here in America.
BrandonP Member # 3735
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quote:Originally posted by Djehuti: Another example of why 'Cairy-wood' or Egyptian film stars no more represent Baladi (indigenous) Egyptians than Bollywood represents India (Most Bollywood stars are of Afghan origin).
You should see how Bollywood represents the Harappans, despite the likelihood that they were in fact what you would call a black people (as in the way you would call modern South Indians black):
Archeopteryx Member # 23193
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^^ Rather big difference between how the Harappans depicted themselves and how Bollywood depicts them
Ish Geber Member # 18264
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quote:Originally posted by Archeopteryx: ^^ Rather big difference between how the Harappans depicted themselves and how Bollywood depicts them
I think the man in the back, with the turban fits the description.
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