Climatic conditions (see Table 4.1)
In their perception of the climate prevailing in their country, most Egyp-
tians differentiate between a cooler winter and a hot summer, while they
consider spring and autumn of subordinate relevance. Although the main
criterion thus seems to be temperature, Egyptians describe rain as shita, i.e.
winter. Fellaheen engaged in agriculture have a much more sharply differenti-
ated perception of climatic conditions during the course of the year. They use
the old Coptic calendar, according to which each month is attributed special
characteristics as regards the availability of Nile water, cooler or hotter phases,
rainfall probability, fog and air humidity.