According to the Book of Gates, the 𓂋𓅓𓎀𓀂 Remetch (Egyptians) and the 𓅘𓎛𓋴 𓇋𓀂 Nehesy (Nubians) are the children of Ra, also known as the children of the sun. This assertion underscores the profound ancestral relationship between the southern Nehesy and the northern Remetch. Despite slight cultural differences between these two groups, they share a common lineage rooted in African pastoralists who first migrated into the Nile Valley around 9000 BCE, establishing their pastoralist traditions. As Maria Gatto emphasizes, “Nubia is Egypt's African ancestor,” (Gatto, 2009, p. 216) highlighting the integral role Nubia played in the origin of Kemet and its culture. This connection is further illustrated by the notion that many of the Netjeru (Egyptian pantheon) were said to have had their origins in Ta-Netjer, translating to "Land of the Gods," which lie to the south of Kemet.
The sacred land of Ta-Netjer encompassed a region that stretched from the Land of Punt located in the Horn of Africa deep within the Great Lakes region, which is considered the source of the Nile and all creation according to ancient Kemetian cosmology. The Ethnicity of a faction of the inhabitants of the land of Punt was briefly alluded to in the "Festival of Min" at Medinet Habu. A man who takes part in the Festival recites a hymn to Min and he is referred to as "nHs n pwnt" which translates to “Nehesy of Punt" illustrating the fluidity of Nile Valley identity. The Book of Gates illustrates the various population groups and discusses their origins, stating that the Remetch were formed from the tears of Ra, while the Nehesy were born from the semen of Ra, emphasizing their sibling-like relationship (Budge, 1905, p. 33). This mythological account serves to underline the idea of shared ancestry and kinship that transcends cultural differences, reinforcing the notion that both peoples stem from a common divine source.
Christopher Ehret highlights the critical role the Horn of Africa played in ancient population dynamics. Ehret cited “other genetic evidence which had identified the Horn of Africa as a source of a genetic marker 'M35/215' Y-chromosome lineage for a significant population component which moved north from that region into Egypt and the Levant" (Ehret, 2023, pp. 83-85). This migration, occurring during the late Pleistocene to early Holocene period, roughly between 50,000 to 10,000 years ago, underscores the significant demographic shifts that contributed to the genetic landscape of North Africa and the Levant. As such, understanding these genetic movements is essential for comprehending the historical interactions among various groups in early Africa and the early peopling of the Nile Valley.
"There was a great similarity between the Puntites as represented in the Egyptian monuments and the Egyptians themselves, and it is said that the pre-dynastic Egyptians found their way from Punt, passing up the coast of the Red sea and entering Egypt through Wadi Hammamat, thereafter spreading south into Nubia. As the name Punt is always described in the official Egyptian texts without the determinative of a foreign country or land, the ancient Egyptians regarded the people of Punt as being racially connected with themselves." R. K. Sinha, 1983, p. 176)
The relationship between the Remetch (Egyptians) and the Nehesy (Nubians) is characterized by a shared ancestral heritage and a complex interplay of cultural exchanges. According to the Book of Gates, both groups are depicted as children of Ra, with the Remetch being formed from the tears of Ra and the Nehesy from his semen, symbolizing a sibling-like connection between them. This shared divine origin emphasizes their kinship, despite cultural differences that may have arisen over time. The Nehesy played a significant role in the history of Egypt, contributing to its culture and society. Their interactions were not solely adversarial; rather, they included trade, intermarriage, and military alliances, showcasing a multifaceted relationship that enriched both civilizations. The portrayal of their connection in Egyptian texts highlights the importance of recognizing Nubia as an integral part of the ancient Egyptian narrative, affirming that both peoples stem from a common lineage that shaped their identities and histories.
“The Qustul (Nubian ceremonial center) elite and ruler in the second half of the fourth millennium participated together with their counterparts in the communities of the Naqada culture of southern Egypt in creating the emerging culture and paraphernalia of pharaonic culture.” (Ehret, Christopher, 2023, p. 10)
The significance of their relationship is further emphasized by historical interactions and exchanges between Nubia and Egypt. Archaeological records indicate a long history of contact, with Nubians controlling critical trade routes and engaging in military partnerships with Egyptians. As Bruce Williams notes, “The relations between early Egypt and Sudan were complex and multifaceted, involving trade, intermarriage, and cultural exchange” (Williams, 2001, p. 56). This relationship was not merely transactional but deeply cultural, as the political and spiritual ideas that emerged in Nubia significantly influenced the development of early Egyptian civilization. Dr. Christopher Ehret states, “Cultural formations in Nubia gradually spread into southern Egypt, culminating in the unified Egyptian state around 3100 BCE” (Ehret, 2002, p. 45).
“Interactions between Nubia and Egypt (and the Sahara as well) occurred in the period between 4000 and 3000 BCE (the predynastic). There is evidence for sharing of some cultural traits between Sudan and Egypt in the neolithic. Some items of “material” culture were also shared in the phase called Naqada I between the Nubian A-Group and upper Egypt (3900-3650 BCE)...There was some shared iconography in the kingdoms that emerged in Nubia and upper Egypt around 3300 BCE (Williams 1986)...there is evidence that Nubia may have even militarily engaged upper Egypt before Dynasty I, and contributed leadership in the unification of Egypt...Nubian and upper Egyptian proximity and on some level, shared culture, Nubia’s possible participation in Egyptian state-building, and later partial political absorption in Dynasty I, would have reinforced biological overlap.” (Keita and A. J. Boyce, p. 325-328)
The ancient Remetch (Egyptians), Nehesy, and Nehesy n Pwenet (Nubians of Punt) are interconnected through a shared cultural heritage that significantly influenced the development of ancient Egypt. The emergence of Egyptian civilization can be traced back to a blend of various African traditions, including advancements in science, art, astronomy, mathematics, and spiritual beliefs. Dr. Larry Ross notes that "Nubia was not all that rustic, nor were Nubia and Egypt all that distinct" (Ross, p. 22). This statement highlights the profound connections between these societies and the influential role Nubians played in shaping Egyptian culture.
This cultural synergy is evident in the early dynastic era, where numerous cultural features from across northeast Africa coalesced. The Badarian and Naqadan cultures, which predated the Pharaonic period, laid foundational elements that would later be integrated into the broader Egyptian civilization. According to the analysis presented, "the innovations and practices from these cultures established a cultural nexus that greatly influenced subsequent Egyptian developments" (Brett A. Berliner, p. 193).
Moreover, the Nubians contributed significantly to the arts and trade networks that flourished along the Nile, which allowed for the exchange of ideas and goods between different regions. This interaction fostered a rich environment for cultural development, where Egyptian society could draw upon the agricultural and pastoral traditions of the Nehesy, which included advancements in animal husbandry and agricultural practices that were vital for sustaining life along the Nile (David Wengrow, p. 91).
The Book of Gates serves as a critical narrative that highlights the perceived divide and tensions between the Remetch (Egyptians) and the Aamu (Asiatics). This ancient text portrays the Aamu as outsiders, distinctly separate from the native Egyptians and Nehesy, which is emphasized in the narrative that states, "the Aamu are those who dwell outside the boundaries of Egypt," indicating their alien status and positioning them as a potential threat to Egyptian society.
Additionally, the text illustrates the divine lineage of the Remetch, asserting that "the Remetch are the children of Ra, created from his very essence," which establishes a contrast to the Aamu's origins and reinforces the idea that the Egyptians possess a superior and legitimate claim to the land. Furthermore, the Book of Gates reflects the historical context of conflict and interaction between these groups. It notes that "the Aamu are depicted as adversaries to the great gods of the Tuat," suggesting that the Egyptians viewed the Aamu as threats not only to their society but also to their spiritual order (Budge, E. A. Wallis, 1905, pp. 154). This narrative serves as a commentary on the geopolitical landscape of the time, emphasizing how the Egyptians responded to foreign influences and incursions.
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Citations:
Gatto, M. (2009). "Nubia as Egypt's African Ancestor."
Edwards, D. (2004). "Nubia and Egypt: Early Dynastic Relationships."
Keita, S.O.Y., & Boyce, A.J. (2023). "Interactions between Nubia and Egypt." Journal of Ancient Civilizations
Ehret, C. (2002). "The Civilizations of Africa."
Ehret, C. (2023). Ancient Africa: A Global History, to 300 CE. Princeton University Press,
Trigger, B. (1976). "The Nubian Kingdoms and Egypt."
R. K. Sinha, 1983, Punt & the Puntities are depicted in the Ancient Egyptian Monuments: https://www.jstor.org/stable/44139909
Berliner, B. A. (1997). "Cultural Interactions in the Ancient Nile Valley." In Mathieu, Eds. Montpellier, Université Paul Valery, pp. 461-489
Budge, E. A. Wallis. The Book of Gates: The Short Form of the Book Am-Tuat. London: Kegan, Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co., 1905.
Wengrow, D. (2006). "Rethinking 'Cattle Cults' in Early Egypt."
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