In local folklore, if a newborn arrives, an elder will die shortly after, thus keeping the population constant.

It is connected to an asphalted sub-road of approximately 100 km (62 mi) in length, in an area called “Bir al-Nisf” located on the Matrouh–Siwa road.

Originally, the inhabitants of the village lived in a fortress which they built on top of a nearby rocky mountain, and which was a defensive position that would protect them from hostiles.

Among the features of the oasis are thick, high salinity springs that have been known since the Roman era, and a hot water spring called “Kefara”, whose temperature reaches 70 degrees Celsius, which are transformed into cooling basins for use in agriculture and the people's consumption, and ancient ruins located at the top of the adjacent mountain, and a market where environmental products and handicrafts are displayed.

Because the oasis is not connected to the national electricity grid, solar cells and diesel generators provide the energy needed for street lighting and home use.