1.Demographic Study of "Markaz" in Rural Egypt
2.Data Set
(1)1882 census ( there are 73 markaz in this year.)
(2)1897 census ( There are 81 markaz in this year.)
(3)1907 census ( there are 84 markaz in this year.)
(4)1917 census ( there are 94 markaz in this year.)
4.Markaz population in transition : 1882-1917
The analytical study of 'markaz' region ( local administrative sub-unit ; county ) and 'madina' ( principal town of 'markaz' ; town ) have been strangely neglected by students of Egyptian area studies. This paper is intended as a preliminary investigation of population census data for markaz regions from 1882 to 1917. The point I want to show is demographic change in rural Egypt in terms of markaz population structure during this period. We are not concerned here with 'Governorate' regions, i.e. urban centers such as Cairo, Alexandria and Canal (including Port Said, Ismailia, Damietta and Suez).
First of all, I show changes of total population counted by census in 19th and early 20th century presented in Table 1. The total population according to the first modern census of Egypt in 1882 was 6,806,381. Taking the annual rate of increase of total population and social conditions during the period above into consideration, we can say that the census data of 1882 is not fully reliable. However, we will use the data as it is for our analysis in this paper, because our concern is to examine various ratios calculated from the census data and to show changes in population structure in rural Egypt. Four censuses, as indicated in Table 2, have been utilized for the analysis in this paper.
During the period of 1882-1917, we can observe 14 mudiriya ( local administrative unit ; province) in Egypt except muhafaza' ( Governorate ; Urban and Frontier Administrative Unit, i.e. Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and Frontier Districts ). Namely, the number of mudiriya remained the same between 1882 and 1917. The number of 'Markaz' in each census is different, that is, 73 in 1882, 81 in 1897, 84 in 1907 and 94 in 1917. Table 3 shows the names of each markaz and madina ( the main town of markaz ), and shows the number of villages belonging to each markaz.
Let us start with describing details of the data set that we will use in the following analysis of markaz population. Configurations of primary and secondary data set for each census are as follows. The primary data set consists of original figures selected from each census report. The secondary data set consists of original figures and ratios calculated by the author.
The following items are extracted from the census data as follows. Fixed residents of Egyptians; male and female
Semi-fixed residents of Egyptians; male and female
Foreign residents; male and female
Total residents; male, female, and total
Nine data items are compiled for each markaz, but only three are cmpiled for madina and villages, i.e. "total residents ; male, female, and total" in the census. Therefore, I made a primary data set for each markaz consisting of 15 items including data of markaz, madina, and villages. The primary data set is shown in Appendix 1-1.
For regional analysis of markaz, we have made a secondary data set consisting of the following items. These are (1) population of markaz, (2) population of madina (center of markaz), (3) proportion of madina population to markaz population, (4) sex ratio in markaz, (5) fixed resident ratio (Egyptians), (6) semi-fixed resident ratio(Egyptians), (7) foreign resident ratio, (8) sex ratio in madina, (9) sex ratio in villages ( Appendix 1-2. )
Data for 64 items are observed in the census for each markaz, each madina, and each village. 17 items are extracted from the data as follows : Total residents; male, female, and total
Housing
Egyptians total
Foreigners total
Muslim total
Christian total
Jewish total
Able to read and write; male and female
Illiterate; male and female
With occupation; male and female
Without occupation; male and female
I have made a primary data set for each markaz consisting of 51 items including data of markaz, madina, and villages. Figures of primary data set are shown in Appendix 2-1(MARKAZ): (MADINA): (OTHER VILLAGES).
Same as for 1882 census, I have made a secondary data set consisting of the following items. These are (1) population of markaz, (2) population of madina, (3) proportion of madina population to markaz population, (4) sex ratio in markaz, (5) foreign resident ratio, (6) Christian resident ratio, (7) Jew resident ratio, (8) male, literate ratio, (9) male, working population ratio, (10) sex ratio in madina, (11) madina, foreign resident ratio, (12) madina, Muslim resident ratio, (13) madina, male, working population ratio, (14) sex ratio in villages (Appendix 2-2).
Following 19 items are extracted from the census data for each markaz, each madina, and each village. Total of occupied houses
Total population ; male, female, and total
Literate; male and female
Muslim total
Copts ; Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant and total
Other Christians; Roman Catholic, Protestant, Greek Orthodox, Eastern Christian, and total
Jews total
Other religion total
Badawi ( Bedouin ) total
I have made a primary data set for each markaz consisting of 57 items including data of markaz, madina, and villages. Figures for the primary data set are shown in Appendix 3-1(MARKAZ): (MADINA): (OTHER VILLAGES).
For regional analysis of markaz, we have made a secondary data set consisting of the following items. These are (1) population of markaz, (2) population of madina, (3) proportion of madina population to markaz population, (4) sex ratio in markaz, (5) male, literate ratio, (6) coptic resident ratio, (7) Christian resident ratio, (8) Jew resident ratio, (9) bedouin population ratio, (10) sex ratio in madina, (11) madina, male, literate ratio, (12) madina, Muslim resident ratio, (13) sex ratio in villages ( Appendix 3-2 ).
The following 20 items ( each item regarding population has male, female and total ) are extracted from the census data with items of information about area and density for each markaz, each madina, and each village. The figures of the primary data set are shown in Appendix 4-1(MARKAZ): (MADINA): (OTHER VILLAGES). Area in square kilometers
Population per square kilometers
Number of occupied housing
Population; male, female and total
Muslim; male, female and total
Christian Orthodox; male, female and total
Christian Catholic; male, female and total
Protestant; male, female and total
Other Christian; male, female and total
Total Christian; male, female and total
Jewish; male, female and total
Non stated and other religion and sects; male, female and total
Single; male, female and total
Married; male, female and total
Divorced; male, female and total
Widowed; male, female and total
Civil status/not stated; male, female and total
Literate; male, female and total
Illiterate; male, female and total
Blindness/one eye/both eyes; male, female and total
For regional analysis of markaz, I have made a secondary data set consisting of following items. These are (1) population of markaz, (2) population of madina, (3) proportion of madina population to markaz population, (4) sex ratio in markaz, (5) Christian ( including Coptic resident ) resident ratio, (6) Jewish resident ratio, (7) male, single ratio, (8) male, literate ratio, (9) sex ratio in madina, (10) madina, male, single ratio, (11) madina, male, literate ratio, (12) madina, Muslim resident ratio, (13) sex ratio in villages ( Appendix 4-2 ).
We will begin with a simple observation of basic census data related to social change in Egypt. Table 4 shows "Towns of over 10,000 inhabitants and important towns" with their annual rate of population increase and ratio of towns' population to total population. The proportion of the town population rises a little from 1882 to 1897, but the proportion holds steady from 1897 to 1917. The proportion of urban and rural population during this period was stable and there was no drastic change in population structure in terms of urban and rural distribution.
However, the annual rates of increase for individual towns are different during this period. Regarding the period from 1882 to 1897, major principal towns such as Cairo, Port Said, Ismailia, Suez, Zaqziq, Tanta, Beni Suef, Minya, Qena, Aswan and so on show high annual rates of increase compared to that of the total population, i.e. 2.40%. The growth of these major towns is remarkable during this period.
As for the period from 1897 to 1907, in addition to a few major towns such as Port Said, Ismailia, Damanhur and Beni Suef, medium sized towns such as Rosetta, Bilbeis, Mit Gamar, Disuq, Ashmun, Tala, Mellawi, Suhaj, Isna, Aqsar and Idfu show relatively high annual rates of increase compared to that of the total population, i.e. 1.42%. These medium sized towns grew very rapidly during this period.
With regard to the period from 1907 to 1917, most of the major and medium sized towns in Lower Egypt and Middle Egypt including mudiriya Beni Suef, Faiyum, Minya and Asyut, show relatively high annual rates of increase compared to that of the total population, i.e. 1.29%. The growth of most of the major and medium sized principal towns in Lower and Middle Egypt is remarkable during this period. We can say that there was a certain amount of dynamic change for individual towns in terms of mobility of the regional population by 1917.
Next, we will examine the status of 14 mudiriya and all of the markaz in order to observe social change in the period 1882-1917. First, I will examine the figures of the secondary data set for all markaz from 1882 to 1917 as shown in Table 5. I can say that there was a stable increase of the total markaz population and a lopsided increase of the madina and/or villages populations. The ratios of literate male and Christian residents ( including Coptic residents ) increased steadily from 1897 to 1917. The Muslim resident ratio in madina decreased gradually from 1897 to 1917.
Table 6 shows the comparison of selective secondary data of 14 mudiriya and also changes of selective secondary data for each mudiriya from 1882 to 1917. We will examine whether there are specific characteristics for individual mudiriya in terms of population increase, madina population, sex ratios, literate ratio, and Christian and Muslim population.
With regard to changes of population for markaz, madina and villages from 1882 to 1917, we can observe marked change in terms of annual rate of increase for mudiriya Buheira, Sharqiya, Faiyum and Miniya. In addition, regarding Faiyum and Miniya, there are specific sex ratio in madina. Namely, the sex ratios in madina are relatively lower than those of villages during the period. Also, we can see the same pattern of sex ratio for mudiriya Asyut. Regarding the Christian resident ratio, we can observe relatively high rates for mudiriya Minya, Asyut and Jirja.
Taking all of the figures in Table 6 into consideration, I can summarize that some mudiriyas in Lower Egypt and Middle Egypt were growing rapidly and mudiriyas in Upper Egypt were relatively stable in terms of population increase.
In accordance with the above results, we select two mudiriyas, Sharqiya and Faiyum, where we can see rapid population growth in the period. Regarding these two mudiriyas, there are the same number of markaz from 1882 to 1917, so it is easy to examine and show the changes during this period. We will examine secondary data of each markaz, and Table 7 shows changes of each markaz population. It seems that there are various differences in terms of growth and index for each markaz. Regarding these differences, we will examine further by the method of multi-variate analysis.
We conclude this paper with indicating the status of demographic change in rural Egypt as follows.
(1) There was a certain amount of dynamic change for individual towns in terms of mobility of regional population by 1917.
(2) There was stable increase of total markaz population and lopsided increase of madina and/or village population.
(3) Some mudiriyas in Lower Egypt and Middle Egypt were growing rapidly and mudiriyas in Upper Egypt are relatively stable in terms of population increase.
(4) It seems that there are various differences in terms of growth and index for each markaz.
As a rule, we don't make any adjustment of population figures. We make use of figures in census as they are. We don't take any geographical change of area into consideration.
(1) Nijila in mudiriya Buhaira is an old name of Kom Hamada. Ramzii, Muhammad Al-qaamuus al-jighraafii, v.2-2, 1958, p.339.
(*) The area of markaz Faiyum in 1882 is not the same as that in 1897, so the rate of population increase is rather high.
(**) The area of each markaz is rather different between 1882 and 1897, so we don't indicate the figures for 1882.
(*) The first one is the number of 'bourgades' and 'hameaux' (hamlets) and the second one is the number of military camps.
(1) Ushur Iskandariya, Mamuriyet Burullus and Helwan town are markaz without surrounding villages.
Abu-Lughod, J. L. 1965 "Urbanization in Egypt : Present State and Future Prospects", Economic Development and Cultural Change, 13-3, pp.313-343.
Baer, G. Studies in the Social History of Modern Egypt, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago,1969.
Baer, G. Fellah and Townsman in the Middle East. studies in social history, Frank Cass, London, 1982.
Chaichian, M. A. 1988 "The Effects of World Capitalist Economy on Urbanization in Egypt, 1800-1970", International Journal of Middle East Studies, 20, pp. 23-43.
Dittmann, A. et. al. 1991 "Traditional and Modern City-Hinterland Relationships in the Islamic Middle East : The Example of Faiyum", Applied Geography and Development, 38, pp. 66-86.
Domschke, E. 1986 The Handbook of National Population Censuses, Greenwood Press, Westport.
Issawi, C. "Migration and Minorities", "Population, Level of Living, and Social Development" in An Economic History of the Middle East and North Africa, Columbia University Press, New York, 1982.
McCarthy, J. A. 1976 "Nineteenth-Century Egyptian Population", Middle Eastern Studies, 12-3, pp. 1-39.
Owen, R. "The Building Industry and the Building Boom of 1897 to 1907" in Colloque International sur L'Histoire du Caire, Ministry of Culture of the Arab Republic of Egypt, 1972(?).
Owen, R. "The Egyptian Economy, 1882-1914", in Owen, R. The Middle East in the World Economy 1800-1914, Methuen,London, 1981.
Panzac, D. 1987 "The Population of Egypt in the Nineteenth Century", Asian and African Studies, 21, pp. 11-32.
El-Shakhs, S. 1979 "Urbanization in Egypt : National Imperatives and New Directions", in Obudho, R. A.& El-Shakhs, S.(eds.), Development of Urban Systems in Africa,Praeger.
1882 Recensement General De L'Egypte. Egypte Proprement Dite, Denombrement de la Population.
1897 Gouvernement Egyptien Recensement General De L'Egypte. Tome 1,2 and 3, Imprimerie Nationale, Le Caire, 1898.
1907 Ministry of Finance, Egypt. The Census of Egypt taken in 1907. Under the Direction of C. C. Lowis of the India Civil service. Director General of the Census Department. National Printing Department. Cairo, 1909.
1917 Egyptian Government, Ministry of Finance, Statistical Department. The Census of Egypt taken in 1917. v.1 and v.2, Government Press.Cairo,1920 and 1921.