Egypt's Stone Carvers Keep Their Ancestors' Traditions Alive | Still Standing

For over sixty years, Sayed Al-Mataany has been using thousand-year-old, Ancient Egyptian methods to carve hieroglyphs into vases and sculptures — but major blows to Egypt’s tourism industry have caused a steady decline in the number of tourists coming to Luxor to buy his ornaments. We went to Luxor in Egypt to see how his business is still standing.

Sayed does not have a website. He sells his work locally in Luxor.

MORE BUSINESS INSIDER VIDEOS:
Why 99% Of Smithsonian's Specimens Are Hidden In High-Security | Big Business
Why Japanese Denim Is So Expensive | So Expensive
How Logs of Fruit Pulp Replace Firewood and Charcoal | World Wide Waste

------------------------------------------------------

#Crafting #StillStanding #BusinessInsider

Business Insider tells you all you need to know about business, finance, tech, retail, and more.

Egypt's Stone Carvers Keep Their Ancestors' Traditions Alive | Still Standing

[gilbertocamacho]

“I only care about doing the job right.” Spoken like a true craftsman and artist.

[lorez]

“Young people do this job well. We just need to help them a little bit”. Always appreciate a guy who respects young people.

[--Human]

As an Egyptian watching this made me feel proud and grateful to have some ppl who still care about our ancient culture and history

[PyroChimp]

I still find it mind blowing how people still cant comprehend the craftsmanship that went into ancient Egyptian artifacts and monuments. This mans ancestors would be very proud of him and I hope business and tourism returns to his country.

[Joepops]

Putting this talented gentleman on youtube he can motivate a whole universe of budding sculpturers.
Thank you sir

[knowall]

He is 75, and still doing the craft work perfectly. May he continue many more years and pass on the baton to next generation.

[bencanque]

And some fake archeologist have the guts to refer to those ancient buildings as built by aliens. When these kind of people who do stick to the crafts still exist. Although not the same, it is clear that you don't need power tool to make stunning craft.

[nichole]

"playing soccer in the temples" Imagine how fascinating his life was as a child growing up around these ancient temples, statues, etc?

[lailaassar]

As an Egyptian, I feel extremely proud watching this video ♥️

[annea]

These great souls are national treasures. Thank you to all those who work this hard to produce such wonderful artifacts. 😊💚

[minakhan]

I love how they keep the ancient traditions alive and use hand tools, he’s right the only way to sculpt it the right way is by hand 🤚 ❤❤

[rafaelperalta]

Beautiful art made by great craftsmen. Nothing short of spectacular.

[toddsmith]

Beautiful to see people continuing arts from their ancestory.

[adammcinnes]

I did a tour in Egypt in 2013 during the political upheaval. It was an incredible time to be there, but I really felt for the people who were struggling trying to make a living from tourism.

You have to be careful with where you shop and what products you buy. I remember one place in Luxot that my tour guide took me to gave us a presentation when we arrived to show us how we can tell the difference between real and fake items. However, his presentation featured a genuine carved stone figure and an aerated piece of plaster that was crudely painted and so full of air bubbles that it barely looked like what it was supposed to. While this presentation was happening, there were artisans sitting around carving stone. The guy that was giving the presentation told us that everything in the store was genuine. Most of the stuff was, but I was looking at a statue of what they claimed was lapis lazuli, and when I flipped it over to look at the bottom, I saw air bubbles in the resin.

At a different place later on my tour, I was looking at stuff in a gift shop in a hotel, and the store owner tried to convince that his lapis lazuli was genuine until I showed him the air bubbles in the resin. He came up with an excuse about why he lied.

There are genuine artisans, and there are a lot of beautiful arts and crafts made in Egypt, even if some aren't exactly as they are labelled, so buyer beware, but don't be afraid to buy some beautiful pieces to support the artisans when you are there.

[Henrado]

Something I've come to appreciate about these business insider videos detailing various culturally significant historical skills and trades around the world is the actual effort they put into pronouncing the names of these unique people and important aspects of the culture they are documenting. Even if the pronunciation isn't always entirely accurate.

[janbaer]

The sculpture that he is sitting next to in a few of the scenes is so nice.

[johnster]

“we used to leave school and go play soccer in the temples.”
meanwhile i only grew up near a cvs lmao

[LondonPower]

Egyptians are cool only love from Greece

[Nirrrina]

It would be nice if one of the younger people would help him set up a YouTube channel showing his artwork & how he makes it. As well as how he compares it to the older work.
I think it would bring a lot more attention to his artwork & it's history. As well as encouraging new people to try it out. It would also preserve some of his hard earned skills. It wouldn't need to just be him either. It could highlight the craftsmen who are learning from him.
The attention from it would also bring more buyers to him. People who having a better understanding of just what it takes to produce this work are more willing to pay a good price for it.
Sure wish I could afford a small piece myself. Especially if it was related to cats.

[ugochukwuharbor]

Such dedication to preserving history!