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Nubia
The area to
the south of Kom Ombo until the Sisal
Mountains in the south of the Nile valley is
basically known as Nubia, Nubia is divided
into two parts:
Upper Nubia
which is part of Sudan now, and lower Nubia
which the most southern part of Egypt and
ends up in to Wadi Halfa
It was in our
modern time that attention was given to
this part of Egypt since the construction
of the Aswan first dam and then flowed by
the Aswan high dam, ever since that time
the eyes of the Egyptologists over the world
turned to this site.
The etymology
of the name of Nubia is uncertain but some
researchers believe it is derived from the
ancient Egyptian word Nbu, meaning gold,
referring to the gold mines for which Nubia
was famous. .the ancient Egyptian texts have
no reference to this name, but they referred
to Nubia generally as Ta-seti, meaning the
land of the Bow, a clear reference to the
weapon favoured by the Nubians
Since the old
kingdom time in the ancient Egyptian
history and Nubian is a very important
commercial route for African trade, it was
rich with gold, fine stones and temper.
At the times
of the 6th dynasty ancient
Egyptians send expedition to upper Nubia to
trade and to bring more of Nubian people who
have been employed into the army.
At the time
of the middle kingdom the more military
expedition were sent to control bigger areas
of Nubia and prevent immigrants to come t
Egypt expect for trade.
T the time
of the new kingdom especially at the 18th
dynasty, more of these campaigns were sent
to Nubia to secure the northern borders of
Egypt. Kind Thutmosis II took over the
city of Dongula which is located at the
fourth cataract , he added a new
principality to the country by appointed new
ruler for Kosh, it was also the time where
many of the Egyptian monuments where
constructed ,
At the end of
the new kingdom the province of Nubia was
controlled directly by the priests of god
Amon. They established cult centre in the
city of Nabat for god Amon Ra.
At the
seventh century AD the capital of Kosh moved
from the city of Nabata to the city of Morei,
and the influence of the ancient Egyptian
civilization stated to fade gradually
At the
Greco-Roman times, the area had once again
flourished, and many temples were built or
rebuilt at this time
In the roman
times the many roman emperors have sent
military campaigns to suppress the Belimy
tribes who have waged many raids on the
southern provinces of Egypt.
When
Christianity became the prevailing religion
in Egypt many christen monasteries were
built down in Nubia and many of the Nubian
monuments were converted into churches.
Including the temples of Philae and the
temples of Dendour ,Tafa, Beit EL Wali,
Gerf Housian, and Wadi Es-sebua.
With the
spread of Christianity through Nubia pagan
believes began to dwindle together with
Morai culture, a new age was beginning, in
which the Christianity played an important
rule, during the eight and ninth, Nubia
enjoyed growth and prosperity in both
political and cultural sphere, at the rate
which had not been enjoyed for a longtime.
Since Nubian
church was affiliated at that time to that
of Egypt, the Coptic patriarch at Alexandria
was acknowledged as its head many churches,
monasteries and cathedrals were built often
modeled on the basilica type which was
common in the Byzantine Empire
At Kasr
Ibrim , the ruins of a church probably
dating from the second half of the fifth
century AD, yielded some Coptic texts on
fragments of papyrus and parchment dating
fifth to tenth century AD, Qasr Ibrim was
the seat of the patriarch of Nubia .
Folk
heritage of Nubia:
Because of it
s long cultural history, the folk heritage
of Nubia is rich, varied and wonderfully
original. It is has distinctive features
since its the result of there mingled
groups that make up the Nubian people,
the Kenzi who speak the Matouki
language and the Fadija who speak their own
language, and the tribe of Aliqat who moved
to Nubia from the Sinai on the 18th
century.
Nubian fold
heritage naturally includes building,
furniture m arts, crafts , jewelry and
costumes
Houses:
The Nubian
houses are built of stone, clay and sand;
the roofs are commonly built of Jareed and
grain stalks, the roofs of the well- to –do
are arched domes of clay bricks. The flowers
are covered with clean sand and house hold
utensils for everyday use hang from the
ceiling.
The walls of
the house especially the façade are
decorated with ornaments and paintings of
flags, flowers birds and animals. Crockery
is often used for wall decorations; a plate
usually occupies the centre of the facade.
A Nubian
house is usually composed of:
- The
entrance hall opens court.
- Domed
bedrooms
- The store
- The kitchen
and the toilet
Amulets,
charms, talismans
Nubian use amulets, Charms and
talismans for good luck and protection form
the evil eye; some are painted on walls on
form of scorpions, eyes or triangles.
Some are made
of breaded beads, shells or hair which hang
on he post of the bed, or hang thickly form
the ceiling. Baskets made of palm branches
and decorated with white shells hanging from
the ceiling may have the same function.
Dancing:
Nubian folk dancing is practiced in
groups by women and men of all ages. A
number of folk dances are performed in
seasons of sowing and harvest, in prayer for
prosperity and more crops.
Marriage
and birth:
In Nubia marriage is usually the responsibility of
the parts and also uncles shared the
responsibility. Because kinship in Nubia is
both patriarchal and matriarchal.
The most
common marriage is between cousins and
sometimes is obligatory. The pride dowry at
that case is much lower than what an
outsider would have to pay. The amount
varies in different tribes. Presents and
money gifts are given to both families to
help with expenses which usually very high
for wedding.
Since the
Nile plays a very important rule in Nubian
culture, the couple have to go down to the
river an on their wedding night and wash
into water to ensure prosperity good health
and numerous progeny.
When a male
child is born, the birth is celebrated on
the seventh day with the slaughter of sheep
or more. Recital of Quran and the boy is
given a name. But when the child is a
female they only invite close friends and go
to the Nile bank where the baby is named.
Nubian art
and its symbols:
Nubian art
reflects Nubian culture many of it symbols
and motives are significant experiencing of
folk traditions and supper stations, this
can be easily seen in tattoos and wall
painting that decorate the façade and
entrances halls of many Nubian houses, these
symbols recur in the designs of bead works
and many kind of baskets, mate ..etc
- Sward in
the Nubian culture stands for courage and
heroic achievements .
- Stars and
crescent are Islamic symbols of good
fortune.
- The black
cat, crows and owls carry bad omens
- Roses and
flowers in general stands for friendship and
love
-The apple
stands for feminine attraction
- Prayer rug
stands for purity and chastity |
