Ismailia Mango Festival: A Celebration of Egypt’s Beloved Summer Fruit
by Shahinda Abdalla
Image Source: Ismailia Mango Festival 2023 official website
Only 100 km from Cairo, situated in the northeast of Egypt on the west bank of the Suez Canal is the governorate of Ismailia — home to the infamous Egyptian mango. Originally brought over to Egypt from Sri Lanka in 1825 by Mohamed Ali Pasha who planted the first shrubs in what is known today as the Faculty of Agriculture at Ain Shams University. Initially it was planted for decorative reasons and not for its fruit, which ironically became one of Egypt’s largest agricultural exports. In 2020 alone, Egypt exported 231 tons of mango, with Ismailia producing one-third of all of Egypt’s mangoes. The fertile soil and humid climate of Ismailia make it ideal for growing mangoes. Last year, in August 2022, the government decided to host the first Ismailia Mango Festival to celebrate Ismailia’s farmers and their great contribution to our economy as well as to our summer memories, for I doubt there is a fruit that embodies summer for us Egyptians more than the mango. Whether you slice it, juice it or bite through it, there is nothing like the smell and flavor of an Egyptian mango. This year, the government is hosting a second edition of the Ismailia Mango Festival which will take place next weekend on August 18-19, 2023. From road shows with mango-shaped cars to mango cutting competitions and even a parade showcasing not only our beloved mango but also some of Ismailia’s great musical talents. The main events will be taking place in Ismailia City Golf Club and Mohamed Ali Street, and open to the public for free. There will also be a mango market and bazaar showcasing all varieties of mangoes to exporters and local buyers alike, selling mangoes to all at their retail price. To learn more about the festival, go to the official Ismailia Mango Festival 2023 website here.
Not only do Ismailians love growing their mango, they eat it all year round, preserving it to be consumed even throughout the winter months. By consuming mangoes all year round, it’s said that Ismailians live longer. There might be some truth to this saying as mangoes do have many anti-aging properties and health benefits. Mangoes are an excellent source of potassium, vitamin-A and flavonoids like beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. 100 grams of the fresh fruit provides 25% of the recommended daily levels of vitamin-A. Vitamin-A is essential for maintaining healthy vision, mucus membranes and skin; and the carotenes help protect the body from lung and oral cavity cancers; and potassium is an essential mineral for maintaining cell and body fluids that help keep our heart rate and blood pressure balanced.
Image Source: Ismailia Mango Festival 2023 official website
Whether we eat it because it’s healthy or because it’s simply delicious, one thing is for certain and that is we, as a nation, cannot live without our yearly summer dose of mangoes, always making the most out of every occasion in the summer to bring out the mangoes. Even when the Holy month of Ramadan began to feature during the summer months several years ago, we managed to incorporate the mango and make some of the most creative Ramadan summer desserts like the widely popular konafa bel manga (konafa with mangoes). So whether or not you get a chance to go to Ismailia next weekend to celebrate one of our most-prized agricultural produce, be sure to at least eat a mango and participate in this collective shared Egyptian summer experience that is the amazing mango.
Image Source: Ismailia Mango Festival 2023 official website