7th March 2011
Old Quarna Village Protest
Today there was a sit in by all the previous owners of the Old Qurna houses, on the hill near the ticket office. It was a protest against the government for their rights and what was promised to them. In one mans words, we were given a very small house in New Qurna where we could not keep our buffalo's and animals, they died. We were also promised a piece of land by the Nile, up to now; we have not got our land. So now we have moved back to our old houses until something is done for us.
I was told to go and have a look around, that no ticket was required, so I did. I have never been allowed up here in the past. There were more than a hundred people they’re of all ages, young and old, even children and babies. Most of the women were at their original houses; all the doors of all the houses were open as if lived in. There was a meeting while I was there and all the men attended it. There was an official with clipboard and papers addressing the men. I was allowed in at the meeting but had to rely on a translation by one of the locals; they were all so friendly towards me and in me taking these pictures. He told me that the Governor of Luxor was coming here tomorrow to speak to the people.
I was also told that earlier in the day, there was some fighting and bloodshed with the police. I was shown the spot and indeed there was blood spilt there.
Unusually, the people did not mind me taking pictures, even the women, which was quite a surprise but pleasant for me. I was speaking to one man and I sort of caught him saying something about it being good for the Internet. So I guess they want the word out about their protest.
So many times I here the locals saying “We were promised” Now that it’s a time for a new government, it also is a time to be heard.
I was told to go and have a look around, that no ticket was required, so I did. I have never been allowed up here in the past. There were more than a hundred people they’re of all ages, young and old, even children and babies. Most of the women were at their original houses; all the doors of all the houses were open as if lived in. There was a meeting while I was there and all the men attended it. There was an official with clipboard and papers addressing the men. I was allowed in at the meeting but had to rely on a translation by one of the locals; they were all so friendly towards me and in me taking these pictures. He told me that the Governor of Luxor was coming here tomorrow to speak to the people.
I was also told that earlier in the day, there was some fighting and bloodshed with the police. I was shown the spot and indeed there was blood spilt there.
Unusually, the people did not mind me taking pictures, even the women, which was quite a surprise but pleasant for me. I was speaking to one man and I sort of caught him saying something about it being good for the Internet. So I guess they want the word out about their protest.
So many times I here the locals saying “We were promised” Now that it’s a time for a new government, it also is a time to be heard.
All the doors open to indicate re-occupation. Old paintings remain on walls. This lady was so friendly. It was once her house.
In this room there were more than fifty men attending a meeting. The discussions afterwards.
This says it all, it was once their house.
In the room behind this chair, there are steps that go down to further subterranean rooms. This guy tells me that this was once his family’s house. Top right is the door to this tomb house.