Bawab

A bawab (Arabic: بواب) is a kind of doorman common in Cairo, Egypt.[1] A bawab's job is to watch the entrance of the house or building where they work and perform errands and tasks for residents, essentially combining the function of a doorman with that of a building superintendent and errand boy.[1] The bawab has been described by the BBC as a security guard, porter, enforcer of social mores and general snoop, all rolled into one.[2]

Most buildings have more than one bawab who work in shifts.[1] Bawabs are usually male and wear a gallabeya, a native Egyptian dress.[3] Traditionally, bawabs were from Upper Egypt due to the widespread poverty there.[4][5] Many modern bawabs are local ex-military men, and some buildings have transitioned to using private security companies which provide uniformed guards.[1]

A bawab's salary is determined and paid by residents of the house or the residential building.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Hedges, Chris (1995-02-14). "Cairo Journal; Beware the Bawabs, the Know-It-Alls at the Gate". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  2. ^ Dinham, Tom (2012-10-28). "The doormen policing Egypt's morals". BBC News. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
  3. ^ Khedre, Farah (2016-12-21). "Egyptian Girl's Tale: The "Bawab" Symptom". Identity Magazine. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  4. ^ "The doormen policing Egypt's morals". BBC News. 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
  5. ^ Foster-Simard, Charles-Adam (2018-04-27). "The Bawabs". Charles-Adam Foster-Simard. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
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