Three thousand years before the birth of Jesus Christ and perhaps even before,
a civilization thrived on the banks of the Nile River in northern Africa
that was called by its inhabitants Kemet ("Black Land"). This land is known
today by the Greek name Egypt. By virtue of extensive archaeological study,
we know a great deal about this ancient culture which in some ways was more
advanced than our own; a culture that embraced multiple expressions of Deity,
provided for social equality across race and gender, boasted of a government
and civil service to rival that of ancient China; and had a remarkably practical
religious philosophy.
THE BLACK LAND"The water stands and fails not, and the Nile carries a high flood. The days are long, the nights have hours, and the months come aright. The Gods are content and happy of heart, and life is spent in laughter and wonder."
- Sallier Papyrus, Erman translation
The religious system that existed in differing forms throughout Kemet's history spanned several thousand years, undergoing many changes. At one point, it can even be said to have been monotheist in nature. However, for the majority of Kemet's people, it was understood that there were many gods and goddesses (Nedjeru or Neteru) of one's city, profession and clan as well as greater Neteru whose celebrations were marked by the entire populace. Neteru (singular Neter) is a Kemetic word that translates "powers" or "divinities," much in the same sense of a term used by another indigenous African religion: the Orishas of the people of Yoruba. Neteru is a word without gender and can stand for either God or Goddess, as well as Gods or Goddesses. The people of Kemet saw the creative influence of Neteru in all things, including themselves.
Though there were more than 200 different rulers (both male and female), at least three major foreign occupations and many rewritings of "official" history, philosophy and religious dogma, the faith of both the people and the priest(ess)hood of Kemet was highly celebratory and life-affirming. Though different Neteru were worshipped under different rulers and from place to place, They all had something in common: They were accessible to all and to each other, and Their worship covered every facet of life, from conception to death to rebirth and everything in between.
