Wednesday, 15 January 2025

HISTORY LESSON

Modern Egyptians posting Reliefs of Nubian captives in Facebook comments are insulting the ancestors of modern Egyptians not modern non-Egyptian Africans. Here’s why in my opinion:

I find the fixation of certain modern Egyptians with sharing pictures of New Kingdom captives of the ancient Egyptians very bizarre, and self-deprecating, whenever an ancient Egyptian relief is too “black” for their self-esteem.

Some of the ancestors of modern Egyptians were slaves, such as the Saqaliba and Mamluks, who were imported from Europe.

Watching modern Egyptians insulting slaves is like watching a grown 40-year old writing a letter to Santa for presents, and trying to decide whether to tell them to truth. Should I laugh or be generous with facts? To assume that a Nigerian or South African is being insulted by a picture of a Nubian captive is uneducated.

Several independent academic teams such as George Reisner, Laura Bestock, Timothy Kendall and David O'Connor, who examined archaeological sites, and other data found that many Egyptian households were composed of Nubians and Egyptians between 2000 BC and 1,200 BC making modern distinctions between two populations and assumptions of pure bloodlines entirely a modern form of wishful thinking.

The enslavement of Egyptians happened for a longer period of time than the transatlantic slave trade, although estimates of the numbers of individuals are not available.

While ancient Egypt is rightly one of the most celebrated civilisations in human history, there is no justification for trying to retrospectively impose racial purity on ancient Egypt.

Although rightly celebrated, Egypt  since around 1000 BCE has arguably been one of history’s best documented punching bags. Over the millennia, this cradle of civilization has had the dubious honor of being everyone’s favorite conquest. It’s as if the world looked at the Nile and thought, “Yes, this is mine now,” over and over again. Egyptians, whether ancient or modern, have had to endure a parade of indignities that would make even the most hardened historian wince. Foreign rule? Check. Enslavement? Oh, absolutely. Sometimes, just for fun, both at the same time.

Let’s take a stroll through this illustriously exhausting timeline. First, we have the Hyksos (1630–1530 BCE), who ruled Lower Egypt during the 17th Dynasty. Sure, Upper Egypt stayed native, but it was a bit awkward—like when you’re hosting a party, and uninvited guests take over half the living room. Then there’s the Meshwesh (943–716 BCE), those crafty Libyans, claiming Lower Egypt through the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd Dynasties. At least the Kushites (747–656 BCE) of the 25th Dynasty came from the south, so Egypt’s African identity stayed intact—though that probably wasn’t much comfort to the locals at the time.

And then came the Persians with their Satraps, gracing Egypt not once but twice: the 27th Dynasty (525–404 BCE) and again during the 31st Dynasty (343–332 BCE). It’s like being kicked when you’re down, but with more bureaucracy. Fast forward, and the Romans swooped in (30 BCE–639 CE), because apparently, “conquer all the things” was a Roman motto. After that, Islamic rulers took over for nearly a millennium (640–1517 CE), offering such variety that even modern Egyptologists need a flowchart to keep track: Rashidun emirs, Umayyad walis, Abbasid governors (twice!), Tulunid emirs, Ikhshidids, Fatimids, Ayyubids, and Mamluks.

But wait—there’s more! In 1517, the Ottomans claimed the prize, holding Egypt until the French showed up in 1798. Napoleon had his fun, then handed the baton to the British, who graciously stayed until 1936. Sprinkle in the Muhammad Ali dynasty (1805–1953) and a few Grand Viziers, and you’ve got one of history’s most consistent cases of, “Who rules Egypt this week?”

Now, let’s be clear: this sort of historical merry-go-round isn’t exclusive to Egypt. Various populations have endured invasions, colonization, and indignities. But what’s truly baffling is the persistence of certain critics who think pointing out ancient Egyptian reliefs of battles and military victories somehow insults West Africans, East Africans, or the African diaspora. It’s as if the critic is saying, “Well, the Egyptians beat some people in a war, so take that!” Really? Do they think anyone’s losing sleep over ancient wars when Egyptians themselves were repeatedly conquered, ruled, exploited or all three at the same time?

Assumptions that modern light skin humans are not be descendants of black Africans has already been debunked through several genomic studies. The presumption that parading nine bow reliefs insults anyone other than Egyptians, is both scientifically not sharp, and intellectually naive.

The irony is thick enough to cut with a knife. The same Egypt often paraded around as the pinnacle of African exclusionism was repeatedly ruled by foreigners—from Persians to Romans, from Libyans to the British. So, the next time someone waves around those reliefs as some kind of mic drop against African pride, remember: Egypt’s history of foreign conquest says more about the conquerors than the Egyptians—and far less about any imagined insult to modern African identities.

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