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Through the vast spread wavy dunes of sands in Bahariya, there was a rich history formed by the passing of the centuries. By the passing of time, Bahariya has had many names such as the Northern Oasis, Zeszes, Oassis Parva, the Little Oasis and the Oasis of Al-Bahnasa. The history in Bahariya Oasis is back to the prehistoric period. The evidence for their existence is the stone axes and knives were found on the sand. It is thought that the oasis was – in the first place – inhabited by a mixture of Nile Valley and Bedouin people from Libya.
In the Dynasty era, it is believed that King Amenemhet and King Senusret II paid attention to Bahariya Oasis to avoid attacks from the Libyans. There were also some texts prove that king Tuthmose III made many progresses in the Oasis leading to growth in population. Meanwhile, the oasis was under the control of Abydos (Thinis) who they were had to pay tribute for him.
As for mining, Bahariya Oasis was also famous for its miming industry. It is proved by King Ramses II in his temple of Amun which is located at Luxor. It is said that Alexander the Great passed by Bahariya Oasis in his tour to the Oracle of Amun in Siwa. At that time, It was under the rule of Alexander`s Commander, Ptolemy. Furthermore, the Greeks used the Oasis to rule the whole of the Western Desert.
Bahariya remained unknown till the 25th and 26th Dynasties. In the era of Ahmose II, Bahariya started to bloom as an important destination for agriculture and trade. Ahmose sent soldiers to Bahariya to guard it against the Libyans and the Greeks. Subsequently, the people loved him and as an appreciation for him, they built to temples with several chapels close by Ein El Muftella (near El Bawiti). Those temples were masterpieces and well-ornamented as well.
During the era of Greek, it is thought that Thoth was idolized – especially in his form of Ibis - by the people in Bahariya. Hathor was named by `Lady of Bahariya Oasis` while Amun and Khonsu were named `Lords of the Bahariya Oasis`.
As for the Greek period, the time the Greeks and the Romans were fighting for ruling Bahariya, the irrigation system was ruined. So the life in the Oasis turned to be so poor and has a lack of green areas. So, they built several brilliant canals and wells which are still working till now in Bawiti and Izza.
In the Christian period, Egypt was under the control of the Roman. Al Bahnasa was the name Bahariya Oasis was called by. But during that period, there was an invasion of the Libyan, headed by Nobatai, over the Oasis that was what caused damage in the Oasis itself. The Oasis remained Christian till Amr Ibn Al Aas entered Egypt. He sent soliders to make sure that every thing is stable in the Oasis. Most of the converted people to Islam were not Christian, but they left the worshipping of pagans and turned to Islam. Mohammed Ali also played a role in modernizing the oasis as during his rule over Egypt, the travelers started to visit Bahariya Oasis.
Nowadays, Bahariya Oasis is still continuing preserving its history. The system of rule there is controlled by Sheikhs which is the oldest man in the tribe who the rest of the people in the Oasis are obeying him as he is the wisest man in the Waha (oasis). They also contribute in many other things such as confronting Jinn and any other supernatural matters. There are three scripts or books that are still preserved in three different places; Bawiti, Mandisha, and El Haiz.
Population in Bahariya oasis was declining by the ruining of the water table in Bahariya. In 1950, the rates were as 6,000 inhabitants. In 1986, the population started to increase to 20,000 inhabitants and nowadays they reached 27,000 inhabitants in Bahariya Oasis. Tourism also began to florish in the Oasis as there was a paved road was established that made the life much easier there. |
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