Kemet
Kemet
The Ancient Egyptians called their country Kemet, literally the "Black Land" (kem meant "black" in ancient Egyptian).
The modern name that we recognise is a Greek adaption of Hiku ptah. Ptah was the ancient god associated with Memphis which was the administrative centre of the old country south of Cairo. Ptah, generally represented in the guise of a man with green skin, was the creator god. He was associated with three symbols: the sceptre representing power, the ankh representing life and djed, a pillar, which stood for stability.
“Black Land” came from the colour of the rich and fertile black soil which was due to the annually occurring Nile inundation. The rich soil was replenished each year through the cycle of the two tributaries, the White and Blue Nile, converging whilst the geographical extent of the country essentially covered this fertile, cultivated area along the Nile valley.
Interestingly, each of the two Niles really are distinct colours although both are perhaps a little muddy given the amount of silt they carry. The Blue Nile follows a faster, narrower course whilst the White Nile moves in a broad lazier fashion before meeting to create a mighty river. They carry nitrates, phosphate, iron and oxidizable organic matter whilst the annual floods flushed and cleaned the water and delta of human and agricultural waste. It was, and still is, an exceptional eco system which underpinned an exceptional civilisation.
The Greek historian Herodotus noted that “any sensible person” could see that Lower Egypt was a “gift of the river” and the ancient Egyptians called the Nile “iteru”, meaning big river literally “I t r w” whilst the hieroglyph in the shape of a water ripple reads as the sound "n" and acts a plural but on its own is the preposition “towards”. There are layers of subtlety to the language..
Since the Nile had such an enormous impact on the land, understanding it was essential to a successful economy and society so much so that the very language of ancient Egypt and the roles of its gods were both intimately connected to the land - to the earth.
Today, chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behaviour of the elements and compounds that make up our world. Yet the word “chemistry” comes from the ancient Egyptian word "khemia" meaning transmutation of earth, basically the land and earth of the ancient Egyptians.
From time immemorial, Egypt has been primarily made up of settlements which cluster along the life-giving length of the Nile. The water irrigates fields on either side up to an almost visible line and beyond that the deserts “boundless and bare. The lone and level sands stretch far away”.
Ancient Egypt called this Desheret, the "Red Land". Again, very literally, “desher” simply meant red after the reddish colour of the desert sand.
Sailing along the Nile today, every visitor catches glimpses of monumental remains: dusty columns and partly disfigured pale stone statues surrounded by broken slabs. In my imagination I try to see the colours of the old land, the brilliantly painted temples framed by deep green vegetation and the river full of bright sails. It would have been a very far cry from the endless shades of "off "cream of the stone remains of today.
Everything about the world of the ancient Egyptians was based around the rhythms and vagaries of the natural world. Their reliance on the Nile was absolute and when the inundation failed, the effects were catastrophic. They knew and feared this and this understanding of their dependence on, and vulnerability to, the natural world seeped into every aspect of their daily lives from their language to their belief systems and social hierarchies.
Today, behind the shelter of our metropolitan lifestyles and shielded by technology, we have never been so disconnected and ignorant of the earth around us.
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70 Comments
Wow I just learned something new. Thank you for a great blog.
fondly Jenny
In reference to your last sentence - this is why I so desperately must daily head out of doors; into the foothills, on up into the mountains, down to the bay and out onto the waters of the Salish Sea (Puget Sound, WA) - reconnecting with the beauty of the earth. Reminding me of the importance of taking care of our little planet. Up early here past few mornings, watching a Full Strawberry Moon (coined by Algonquin Indian Nations people) First full moon in June is when wild strawberries are ripening.
Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you again for this deep look into this ancient river system, and how strongly it affected the people who lived by it. Another fascinating delve into history that many of us would not take the time to find. Thank you for your research and love of it!
Martha G
Good Morning! Your description of Egypt and the Nile River brought memories flooding back when we spent time there. We took a cruise along the Nile and rode camels around the great pyramid in Giza and were awed by Karnak. Egypt is a really magical place to visit. One day we hope to return to discover more of this fascinating land.
Carolyn Dear
Montreal, Canada
Dear Lady Fiona,
Fascinating! I work for a travel company in the USA (Tour Plan International) - would it be ok to share this in our newsletter or blog? (And credit you of course!).
Kindest regards,
Fiona
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
How timely to receive your wonderful description of the Nile and it’s importance to the Egyptians. I’ve been thinking about the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and and the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. I am going to Egypt later this year and will carry your words with me. Some day I hope to visit Highclere Castle and see the treasures in her basement and, I hope, meet you!
Sincerely,
Jaime Connor Pierce of Houston, Texas
Beautifully written and poignant message.
This is fascinating, thank you! I was in Cairo and areas of Egypt many years ago, and it is indeed a land of light and dark. Contrasts, everywhere you look! You took me back… Many Thanks to you~ I’m enjoying your blog.
Illinois, USA
Lady Carnarvon,
What a beautiful journey you have taken us on this morning. I loved the interweaving of the photos and the distinct placement. Yes, ancient Egypt would be on my time travel bucket list.
As Louis Armstrong sang, " What a Wonderful World," it's truly sad that so many people don't see the world around them beyond a technology screen, or rushing to an office or conference room, or even a vehicle with windows closed, not even aware of the air & sounds of life. A lovely, peaceful drive on country roads is possibly not even in their imagination!
Lady Carnarvon, thank you for a Monday morning reminder of God's magnificent creation of our earth, and hopefully, an inspiration to think on the sometimes forgotten treasures around us & those souls gone before us who learned & lived by nature's gifts.
May you have a week of wonders!
AMEN! Thank you for saying we have become ignorant to the earth around us, unfortunately, so true. It's nice to take a look around and ponder on what once might have been. Enjoyed your perspective. Thanks
Thank you!
I always hope it might be of interest!!
It is a beautiful earth - just not ours.
I have so many notes gleaned whilst writing the Earl and the Pharaoh...
It is magical
I would be honoured!
I hope you might read the Earl and the Pharaoh !
Thank you very much
It is always on mine
Thank you for your comments
Thank you
Lady Carnarvon
I so enjoyed this blog!
I came back from Egypt in January so I can appreciate it so much more.
Thank you for all the hard work in
Presenting these blogs each week!
Katie Johnson
Love this week's blog, as a former history teacher I just love learning new things about ancient places and people. Beautiful pictures also. Hope you are well.
Lady Carnarvon.............. You have a thoughtfulness in your writings that can take us to Egypt and beyond. I grew up on a farm so I understand the insecurity of full dependence on the weather and the land for your life in many cases, as in ancient Egypt.
How is Stella and the brood getting on? Did you have and foals this spring?
The Nile, was so important in the early days of eygptians. Does it still mean as much these days. Love reading your blogs. Thank you Bill Callow.
Lovely the pictures of Kemet and the weather is beautiful and lovely to visit highcelere castle and lam of Downton Abbey
Your words made me feel I was standing there seeing and experiencing everything. I agree that we have never been more disconnected then we are in these moments of time. Ironic that a tool (the internet, social media) are a gift and yet sometimes a curse. I enjoy your writing and similar viewpoints. Thank you so much for this. Enjoy your days.
Lady Carnarvon,
What a lovely tribute to the beauty of this ancient land and to our responsibility to be good stewards and listeners to the land we are blessed to tend. Our son-in-law is from Alexandria, Egypt. About three years ago he escorted us, along with our daughter and the children to visit his homeland. We, too, voyaged along the Nile stopping at several points of interest. I could not help but imagine the sights and sounds of farmers tilling the land and the majesty of the many monuments to honor gods of fertility and prosperity. We learned that the people were taxed by the level of the Nile—if the water was high, taxes were higher; if a drought came, taxes were lowered. As you pointed out, complete dependence on nature, just as we all are truly. Thank you. Enjoyed reading your blog.
MY DEAR LADY CARNARVON,
GOOD AFTERNOON FROM BRAZIL,
MILADY, YOUR NEW BOOK IS STUNNING. IT'S MAGICAL, CONGRATULATIONS.
VILLA ALEMÃ
RIO CLARO - SP
BRAZIL
Thank you for your insights into Kemet and the history of how the Nile shaped civilization along it. One can tell by your writing that you share the same passion for Egypt as your illustrious relative and that your research of Egypt extends well beyond what you were able to include in your most recent book, which in itself, had an astonishing amount of detail. I had the opportunity tomsail in a Felucca from Aswan, and thought I recognized the hill in the gold toned photo as one I had sailed past. The topography has changed some, but the spot looks familiar,
though the name escapes me. When I double checked my photos, there is was, or somewhere that looks very much like the gold photo and just as beautiful, if I am wrong about the location. Sailing the Nile was an unforgettable experience and our Nubian boatmen were wonderful hosts. It would truly be a shame to loose all of that and your last paragraph is spot on.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Your final statement is so powerful. We do not think about what we are truly doing to this wonderful earth which is keeping us alive. The ancient Egyptians understood the Nile was a force of life and death. I think Newfoundlanders and Labradorians might have an idea of the power of the water (ocean) when the Cod Moratorium started 1992. We thought the cod would be available forever. Thank you for the reminder we have to take care of the things we love and need.
Take care.
Susan
Good Morning Lady Carnarvon:
Another beautiful day here in California
The black & white photos are so glamorous. My question: Copies of these photos available. I have a weakness for objects depicting the Middle East, North Africa, anything with palm trees, camels, and nomads.
Please let me know, when you have the time, if reproductions are available.
Thank you for your dedication regarding your weekly blog. Such great fun to read and educational too.
Sincerely,
Laura Karnes
Exeter, CA
P.S. We don't pronounce the "T" us silly Californian's
Thank you so much for this lovely addition to your wonderful blog. It captures the romance and enchantment that has always lured me toward the two Egypts, ancient and modern, in body and in spirit. Magic.
Remarkable and thought-provoking blog. Your mind is a very opal. Thank you so much
Thank you for another beautiful history lesson from the pass! We will be visiting highcelere castle this summer! We love your blogs!
My dear Lady Carnarvon, I sincerely thank you for this intelligently written article that very effectively illustrates our disconnect and ignorance in our "relationship" with this planet Earth. Using the history and topography of ancient Egypt as the metaphor for connection and respect you have very effectively illustrated how unaware we have become in our modern world. In my own imagination it would be truly wonderful to see the colours of the old land where man and nature could live together once again in perfect harmony!
Norie, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
It is wonderful to keep in touch with Egypt. I stayed there for a few months and my
friend had contacts who gave me access to the Pyramid area after closure and I was
able to climb Cheops completely alone and then wander through the dark tunnels
beneath ..... incredible and something I will never forget. To me Egypt was magical
and all my pictures were transferred online so even now in UK I visit regularly !
Diana Borcherds, Hungerford June 2023.
Less is the more - all the old adages!
That is so kind
It is still a life giving river
Thank you - I so share his passion
Good!
I hope we have some sunshine!
It is about sharing
I would love to spend more time there
I would like to produce a book with the 5th Earls's photos..
How interesting!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I love your description of all things Egypt, because it brings back so many awesome memories of our recent trip. I saw the “invisible line” from the Nile vegetation and to the desert from a hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings and Queens. Your blogs always educate us further than general knowledge. Our Monday history lessons! Thank you❣️
Your story is particularly poignant for me after spending six months in Egypt to complete my book. The saddest aspect of all of this is that the Nile has become a polluted trash bin in many parts of lower Egypt. The people have moved away from respecting the river as a life giving source. Piles of rubbish line her banks, plastic and disease contaminate the water and few government plans exist to provide trash removal to allow its collection or provide methods to remove disease causing parasites. No longer is it considered a blessing to keep this river pure. Your article is a reminder of what this river was and could be again with proper management and care.
As always, an interesting essay. But you don’t mention the effects of the Aswan dam which totally changed the ancient and reliable and life-giving flooding of the Nile. Your readers would like to know about that.
Sincerely,
Anstiss Krueck, Chicago, USA
Echoing the thanks for your efforts of solid research, talented writing & eye-opening perspective that you so kindly offer us each week!!
Very much appreciating (for a long time now) your generosity!
thank you for reading
I have so many words each week.. that is a modern topic in itself!
Like many other places and oceans..
I don't like heights so i tend to avoid the balloons!
As an Egyptian, I felt happy and proud of what my ancestors built, gifted by the Nile. But I also felt sad thinking about what we've become. Unfortunately, the Nile isn't what it used to be. It's smaller and way more polluted than what you've described in your blog. Years of colonization followed by military dictatorship have left the people exhausted and unable to take care of themselves nor preserve the gift they were given.
Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for such an interesting article on Egypt (where I was born).
And thank you for mentioning the new book "the Earl and the Pharaoh", which I will purchase when available on 6 July.
Also, I must plan a visit to Highclere Castle very soon. Regards.
Mustafa Fahmy
How very kind!
I am not sure many of us look after the gifts we are given
Dear Lady C,
Thank you for this "learning moment." Learning never stops. Love it.
Lady Carnarvon,
Your last sentence is so impactful. Thank you for your insights.
Thank you
The USA was setup using ancient Egypt (Kemet) as a model. One example is The White, Red and Blue colors of our American flag were copied from the crowns worn by the King. Upper Egypt (white crown) and Lower Egypt (red crown). The war crown worn by the king was colored blue. Therefore, we have the white, red and blue flag colors which was used by our founding fathers when establishing the United States of America.
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for this Monday's most interesting blog and including such great pictures.
I enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed listening to The Earl and the Pharaoh.
Until next week, all the best to you.
Perpetua Crawford
Thankyou!
It has always been my dream to be in Egypt, to walk the sands where Pharaoh once tread, to feel the waters of the Nile swirl between my fingers before it's gone.
Alas, being one of the poor, it will remain a dream in this lifetime. I may as well fantasize about setting foot in ancient Kemet itself, as I have just about the same chance of being able to travel there! Therefore I am so thankful for stories like yours, since your words can help my imagination fly to this faraway destination in a way my physical form cannot.
Thank you for taking the time to bring your talented prose to the dreamers, where your descriptions give them a chance to add to their dreams.
In our age of the 30 second soundbite or chat show anecdote this wonderful un-put-down-able book is oxygen and sunshine for the mind. The life of this extraordinary man here contextualised shines more brightly than ever. Egypt knew how fortunate they were to benefit from his considerable social skills and perseverance and now we have this astonishing record too. Thank you, thank you
Lovely picture of Kemet and did you and you and lord Carnarvon have a nice weekend and lovely to highcelere castle and fan of Downton Abbey