Do you know what language your ancestors spoke? Have you wondered how that language sounded?
Previously, I mistakenly thought that my ancestors, the great ancient Egyptians, spoke Hieroglyphics. It came to me that Hieroglyphic is the written system of the Egyptians’ spoken language which was simply called Egyptian, and later at some point, Coptic. Unfortunately, that is one of the dead languages now. Now, Egyptians speak Egyptian Arabic which is quite different. When I listen to this song in the ancient Egyptian language, attached below, I imagine, what if I were born 5000 years ago! I’d have spoken that language. I’d have prayed to the goddess Isis. As a sun lover, I’d definitely have followed Akhenaten when he created that new religion centered around Aten, the sun.
A few years ago, a traveler I met said that I looked like the queen Tiye, the mother of Akhenaten and the grandmother of Tutankhamun. Queen Tiye was known as a powerful woman and played an important role in foreign affairs. In her letters from foreign rulers, they expressed respect and admiration for her. She was also by the side of her son, Akhenaten, when he made significant religious reforms which included the “one God” concept.
That wasn’t the first time that someone said that I have pharaonic facial features which I couldn’t be more proud of. When I was a child, a member of my mother’s family used to call me Nefertiti. He thought that I looked as beautiful as her. What a great compliment! How happy I was every time I was called Nefertiti. In my own country, some people believe that I look more like an African than an Egyptian. Well, Egypt is situated in Africa and it’s an African country.
One day on the train from Aswan to Luxor, a ticket clerk asked whether I was a Sudanese. I asked him in return what he thought. He answered: “I have no idea! We all look the same.” I said: “Well, in the end, we’re one family that’s called humanity.” He smiled and left. The reason behind asking about nationality was because Sudanese, and generally non-Egyptians, had to pay a higher price, which I’m totally against. I don’t think any refugee has to pay anything for transportation or even accommodation in Egypt.
I know that my dark-skin color makes people suspect my Egyptianness, especially currently with the huge number of Sudanese refugees in Egypt who had to flee the awful war in their country.
In a supermarket in Safaga, a cashier wondered whether I was a Sudanese. She even commented on my accent and said it didn’t sound like an Egyptian one which raised my eyebrows. I wouldn’t mind being Sudanese, Ethiopian or Eritrean. As long as they label me as an African, it’s fine. I’m proud of my African features.
I remember that when we were young, my mother used to say that her grandmother was from the Nubians, an ethnic indigenous group in southern Egypt and northern Sudan. I'd say that I’m a mix of African, Egyptian and Nubian origins. All of this melted together to shape who I am now. It ties me to this land.
To conclude, I hope the Nubians will be allowed to go back to their land around the Nile one day. Just as I wish indigenous people around the world would reclaim their territories and rights, from the Palestinians in occupied Palestine to the American indigenous peoples in Turtle Island.
Comments