Synopsis "egypt,essays on ancient kemet (in English)"
Egypt Essays on Ancient Kemet is a collection of early essays written by the author dating to the time of his graduate work in African History at Hunter College of the City University of New York in the late 1970 and early 1980s. The Table of Contents reads: Africa; Diop; Culture for Liberation; The Fascination of Egyptian Archaeology; The Egyptian Tomb; The Nile Valley in World Antiquity History; The Priesthood; Sakkara; Upper Egypt/Kemet; Temple of Isis; Karnak; The Temple of Luxor; Abydos; The Dance, Music and Musical Instruments; African Art; North Africa: Egypt, Kush, Ethiopia; Time Measurement; Pharaonic Crowns, Names and Regalia; The Nile River; Kemetic Technology/Sciences; Yosef ben-Jochannan; The Blessing; and References. The first essay, Africa, deals with the muddle of the presentation of Egypt, its denigration of the role of Africans in that cultural development; and how the primary and secondary American school system has failed the African American youth in teaching and reinforcing their connection with this ancient African cultural development in the Nile Valley. Hardly another single work mirroring Diop, has had as profound an impact as that reviewed work entitled, African Origins of Civilization: Myth or Reality. The Senegalese scholar has analyzed and rectified the historical record regarding the proper portrayal of blacks in Egypt. He has gone beyond and demolished the myth of Europe and Asia in origins and significant contributions in the foundations and progression of the culture. The other Essays focus on the little historical, social, economic, artistic, cultural and philosophical issues and features, in totality, that created the great culture cluster of Egypt and the Nile Valley. The Tribute to Dr. ben-Jochannan has meaning to the author, for the respected elder, historian, teacher and friend, showed the way to many other students as well, that ancient Kemet/Egypt was a prize worth learning about, fighting for, and defending. The Blessing is just that, for critics and those who complement this work. The photographs, illustrations and plans of various temples presents a pictorial view and helps to reinforce the text message that Egypt is a wonderful cultural experience. The book is useful for the general reader, students and even the expert scholar.
