Life and tradition of the Ababda nomads in the Egyptian desert, the junction between intangible and tangible heritage management.

This article examines the holistic approach of the Heritage Centre called Beyt Ababda or House of the Ababda, which displays the cultural heritage of the Ababda nomads living in the Egyptian Eastern Desert. This centre is one of the first heritage centres in Egypt to start with a holistic approach in mind, trying to inform inhabitants and visitors on cultural and ecological issues. The cultural identity and intangible heritage of the Ababda is emphasized and the desert experience of the visitor is presented in a new manner for Egyptian cultural heritage management. In the Wadi Gamal area, all ecological and cultural initiatives are included to present to the visitor a complete view of desert life, hopefully providing the Ababda community with a sustainable income and amplified cultural identity.