Egypt and the Nile God

Press, 24 April 1979, Page 18

Egypt and the Nile God

It is said that civilisation began on the banks of the River Nile. For more than 3000 years its flood-waters brought life, food, prosperity, and sometimes famine to Egypt, which would have been a desert without the waters of the Nile. Regularly in AugustSeptember (autumn in the Northern Hemisphere), the river rose higher and higher, flooding the surrounding valley of Upper Egypt as it cascaded down to the Mediterranean Sea. The vast fertile Nile Delta was formed by alluvial soil and material deposited by the river as it met the sea at the end of its long journey. The valley was sub-

merged for several months, the waters leaving rich deposits of fertile soil as the river receded to is normal level early in January. As the flood ended, ploughing began, followed by planting, tending the growing crops, and gathering in the harvest before autumn brought the floods again. The water level was measured by stones placed at regular intervals all along the banks of the river. A few of these “nilometers” still stand, in some places. The flood waters are now controlled and conserved by a system of canals, irrigation ditches, and dams, and the people

of Egypt are no longer at the mercy of the flood levels, as formerly, when a low level meant starvation to a large population.

To the ancient Egyptians. the Nile was an allpowerful God whose mercy brought them prosperity, and it was worshipped accordingly.

Hapi was the Nile River God who controlled the yearly floods, and in Autumn when the floods were due, great festivities were held to honour and worship him. Images of Hapi were thrown into the river. The image wore a crown of Lotus flowers in Upper Egypt and i crown of Papyrus in Lower Egypt.