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Cairo: The Sanitation Cats

May 14, 2008, 2:59AM MT

By Sharon St. Joan

This is not intended in any way to offend the spirits of fish, but this story focuses on the relationship between a woman and three cats. If those of us who love cats have ever fed a cat some food, then we will understand.

Sanitation cats

By Ahmed Diab, President, Aware Organization

Just opposite the Egyptian National Museum, across the grand river Nile, surrounded by high concrete buildings in downtown Cairo sitting on a cement pavement is a beautifully tanned old woman with white grey hair, loosely tied with a blue head scarf, wearing a black galabeya (a traditional dress worn mainly by villagers, especially older women) and selling fish in a straw-made basket. Accompanying the woman are three striking cats that look very much like their ancient ancestor, the Egyptian Mau cat, with outstanding spots and mysterious green eyes framed with a letter "M" on their forehead, a unique feature of the Egyptian Mau.

Her name is Om Ahmed which literally means the mother of Ahmed, It is customary in Egypt for a woman to be called by her first son's or daughter's name. It's frowned upon, especially in rural areas for people to call out a woman's real name in public, to avoid any unnecessary gossip or harassment by strangers. The cats are not named; they simply respond to Om Ahmed's calls of "Psst psst psst."

Om Ahmed is totally oblivious of the value of such revered ancient cats; to her they are simply stray cats that she feeds, and they give her a hand. Anticipating a meal that might come, they rub their bodies along her back, which is arched from long hours of sitting on the ground. Om Ahmed and the cats have a very special relationship. They provide her companionship for the long twelve hours of work and a natural disposable sanitation system, while she on the other hand happily provides them with the care and protection they need!

Om Ahmed provides you an extra service for couple of Egyptian pounds (half a dollar) to clean up the fish for you by brushing the scales and removing all internal organs. Here's where the cats come in handy. All the fish remains are frantically eaten by them. It's a win-win relationship; the old woman is saved the burden of finding a place to dump the waste which has pungent odor and must be removed immediately. If it is left, customers would probably be less inclined to buy from her, thinking that her fish is not fresh due to the smell of the remains, moreover she can't leave her selling spot. Her fish might be stolen or there is the risk of losing a potential customer, so the Mau cats are very happy to take on this duty. To them fish remains are gourmet compared to the scarce ingredients in the dumpsters! Om Ahmed says, "The cats always wait patiently for a customer to buy some fish, for they know a meal will be on the way." She does confess; however, that sometimes they are too pushy and hard to control, especially if her sales of fish are low on that day.

Every morning Om Ahmed comes to this spot, and everyday the cats are there waiting for her and greeting her. I thanked Om Ahmed and reluctantly bought some fish for the sanitation cats hoping that this won't make them fussy eaters who refuse to eat the remains! I left with a heart full of certainty that compassion and kindness are present. You just need to open your eyes and look deeper, and I contemplated the probable great similarity 7,000 years ago when the ancient Egyptians used to sell fish on the banks of the Nile along with their ancient cats. The scene hasn't changed much--just modern buildings, thousands of cars and asphalt roads.

Comments

Posted August 27, 2008, 8:50AM by saada

Thank you for this wonderful story that alerts us to keep our minds and senses open to see the love and compassion manifesting itself each day,shining through big cities` industrial fumes..such reminders to keep us humans rid of distractions of greed and selfishness..and back on the path of sustaining and nourishing our lives..

Posted May 24, 2008, 7:15PM by PamelaB

This is a fascinating story, Ahmed. I'm impressed by the way you decided to meet Om Ahmed herself, instead of merely observing her. The woman's relationship with these three cats is one of those marvelous happenings in life that so often, particularly in the bustle of a big city, go entirely unnoticed.

I'm an admirer of your stories and hope that there will be many more!

Pamela at International Friends

Posted July 24, 2008, 6:58PM by PamelaB

Ahmed,

It's a lovely story. Do you know about the Egyptian Mau Rescue Organization (EMRO)? Here is the link:

http://www.emaurescue.org/

Pamela Benbow
Writer, Coordinator, Editor
International Friends and Greece/Cyprus Communities