Contents

Preface

Transliteration of Arabic

List of Illustrations

Explanatory Glossary

Introduction

Scope of the Research

The Desert as a Negative Image of Egyptian Society

A Society Based on Uncertain Conditions

Methodology and Data

Methodology

Data

Why Rashda?

Framework of the Book

part 1

Dakhla Oasis

Chapter 1

Islands of the Blessed

Islands in the Sand

Historiography on Dakhla Oasis

Islands in the Sand

Dakhla Oasis in the Administration of Modern Egypt

Dual System of Hukm and Qadaʾ

Introduction of the Umda System

Introduction of the Local Unit System

Land Exploitation in the Oasis Region

Excursus 1

Egypt from the Periphery

Chapter 2

Conditions of Natural and Human Resources

Climate and Hydrogeology

Demographic Trends

Water, Population, and Land Use

Chapter 3

Family Structure

Analytical Framework

Basic Concepts

Review on Family Studies

Criticism of the Kinship Approach

Family as Social Institution

Household Structures in Nationwide Surveys

Household Structures and Family in 19 Villages

Type of Household

Household Cycle

Marriages between Relatives

Family Structures in Four Survey Villages

Size of Family

Composition of Family

Residential Pattern of Family

Chapter 4

Social Economy

Social and Economic Structures in Egypt

Regional Categorization of Social and Economic Structures

Cluster Analysis

Regional Categorization

Description of 19 Villages Using Basic Indicators

Education

Income

Employment

Personalities of the 19 Villages

Oasis Villages in Egyptian Village Map

part 2

Rashda in History

Chapter 5

Formation of Rashda

Rashda at the End of the 18th Century

Rashda as a Field

Rashda as a Settlement

Landscape of “Old” Rashda

Chapter 6

Development of Rashda

Independence of Rashda from Qalamun

A Village of Migrants

Farmers in the Settlement of Rashda

Rashda in the First Half of the 20th Century

Formation of the “New” Rashda

Expansion of the Village Space

Pattern of Residential Ownership

Spatial Distribution of Households by Age

Change of Village Lifestyle

Excursus 2

Rashda Village Cemetery

Chapter 7

A Society Based on Water

Uncertainty of Water Supply

State Intervention in Water Affairs

A Society Controlled by Water

A Society Based on Water Sharing

Jaala for Digging a Well

Jaala for Managing a Well

part 3

Rashda Today

Chapter 8

Rashda as a Community

Location and Administration

Location

Administration

Residential Space in Rashda

Buildings for Utility

Buildings for Commerce and Residence

Houses

Public Services in Rashda

Organizations for Public Services

Social Unit

Agricultural Co-operative

The Youth Centre

Education

Health

Religious Facilities

Services Provided by the Villagers

Musharaka (Co-operation between Villagers) for Public Utilities

Musharaka (Co-operation between the Villagers) of Reciprocal Nature

Chapter 9

Family Structure in Rashda

Household Structure in 1861

Classification of Household

Composition of Households

Stability of Household

Household Cycles

Household and Family Structure in Rashda in 2005

Household Structure in Rashda

Family Structure in Rashda

Families in Rashda across 150 Years

Comparison of Household Composition

Why the Difference in Household Composition between the Two Years?

Fraternity as a Safety Valve of Household

Excursus 3

Family Tree

Chapter 10

Wells and Irrigation

Wells and Springs

Land Register

Types of Wells and Springs

Names of the Districts according to Different Types of Wells

Development of Wells

Years of Construction of Wells

Continuous Drilling of Wells

Water Distribution

Methods of Irrigation

Water Distribution

Excursus 3

Bir Majnun District

Chapter 11

Agriculture and Household Economies

Agriculture in Household Economies

Agricultural Practices in Rural Egypt

Importance of Agriculture in Income Stratification

Land Distribution

The New Valley Project

Combination of Non-farm, Farm and Livestock Activities

Importance of Family Agriculture

Non-farm Employment Situation in 2009

Crops and Livestock

Crop Rotation in the Government Well Irrigation Districts

Livestock

Market in Household Economies

Crop Production in 2009

part 4

Community in Well No. 3 Irrigation District

Chapter 12

Irrigation Districts

Categories of Irrigation Districts

Bir Sheykh (Local Well) Irrigation District

History of the Wells

Water and Land Ownership

Water Management

Water Trading between Farmers

Share-cropping

Social Relations in Water Trading

Investment Well No. 51 District

Water Allocation

Cultivation System

Saada (Surface Spring) District

History of the Well

Water Distribution

Chapter 13

Society of Well No. 3 Irrigation District

History of Well No. 3 Irrigation District

Land Use Change and Elevation

Irrigation Management System

Water Administration

Water Distribution

Crop Rotation System

Chapter 14

Social Relations of Well No. 3 Irrigation District

An Irrigation District Formed by Government Policy

Family Relationships in the District

Musharaka as a Farming Strategy

Family as an Institution of Landholding and Management

Land Fragmentation

Household Allocation of Labour

Musharaka as a Land Management Strategy

Agricultural Co-operation between Farmers

Conclusion

Select Bibliography

Index