Bawab
Kind of doorman common in Cairo, Egypt
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.