The Fear of Happiness and the Pleasure of Belonging in Egypt’s Independent Music

“Cherophobia,” the fear of happiness, has become common since Egypt’s 2013 return to military rule, especially in the independent music scene that had been at the center of the 2011 revolution.

by Darci Sprengel

Since Egypt’s return to military rule in 2013, feelings of hopelessness and alienation have pervaded Egyptian youth, including members of the country’s independent music scene who had been at the center of the 2011 revolution. As a result of this desperation, “cherophobia,” the fear of happiness, has become common. A Facebook group by t…