One job that no longer exists
- Journalistic Translation
- Jun 16, 2022
- 2 min read
Translated by: Salma Ashraf
Edited by: Farida Ahmed
Have you ever thought about who was responsible for lightening the oil street lamps in Egypt, in the past? Well! There was someone who was specialized in this job. This’s El-Domri. He’s the one responsible for installing these lamps in the streets. His job was considered one of the oldest and most unique ones in the Arab countries. If you’re interested to know more about this hero, read this article…
Who’s ElDomri?
Researcher Gerges El-Zakimi said, "the word El-Domri means a man who lights the lamps.” Street lamps in the past were different than what we have now in the present. There was no electricity before, and street lamps needed fire to lighten the dark, and that's when Egypt's hero El-Domri was called to do his work and save the day. All he had to do was to change the oil of the lamps then turn them on.
History about the job
In the second half of the 18th century, small lamps were hanged in the walls of lanes on occasions. El-Domri was hired by the municipality for the neighborhood, to take care of the lamps. He used to light the lamps just before dusk and guard them till dawn.
El-Domri is a forgotten job
· The development of science and technology and the invention of electric lamps made people no longer in need for El-Domri
It will be an amazing experience if you act like El-Domri just for one day, install lamps in your street during dusk and guard them till dawn. Not only will this bring you joy; this will also bring back the traditions, but ask your neighbors before doing so.
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