Egypt- National Identity
Sarah Piskorik
3/11/16
HIWD 320
Final Project
Egypt, a country that stands out as its own from the rest
of the Africa. A place were change has been dominate force politically,
socially, economically, geographically, and religiously. A nation once bound by
old traditions and culture, now strives for a new national identity.
Egypt, located in the north-east corner on the continent of
Africa is 387,048 square miles and lies mostly in along the long Nile River.[1] Created in the 3150 B.C.,
Egypt has a rich history and a deep culture.[2] Within this culture are
the 90 million citizens who inhabit this Arab Republic.[3] Observing Egypt, it is
clear that there is a mix of ancient and modern. The city of Cairo, Egypt’s
capital, is filled with an abundance of cars and buildings, yet out in the
distance the shadows of the Great pyramids.
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Egypt's location, history, and geographic features, have affected
the culture and daily activities of this country over the centuries. The
geography of this country could be a hindrance upon its people, however because
she is an ancient country, she has learned to adapt to these harsh conditions.
Agriculture and food production in Egypt thrives near the Nile River, yet
outside the Nile's perimeters, desert is all that thrives. In regards to the
spread of disease, Egypt was the home of the ten plagues of the Old Testament.
From boils to diseased livestock, Ex. 9:1-12, disease passed quickly among the
people.[4] Egypt today, has
modernized and advanced which only proves that these features of Egypt
demographically, geographically, and culturally, only led to the advance of
Egypt.
Depending on one's location in Egypt, weather
can vary by extremes. In Cairo, there is little to no rain, while in an area on
its northern coast, rain can fall around 16 inches. Even though the normal
climate of Egypt is dry and hot, there is the occasional snowfall. Because
Egypt is the majority a desert, the main cities are along the Nile River which
is the provider of water to these cities. Along with the Nile River comes the
importance of natural resources. The influence of these natural resources have
had a great impact on Egypt not only because of trade routes, the Silk Road for
example, which has been established to spread these great wealth all over the
world, but imports into Egypt has also greatened.[5]
Crude oil, natural gas, iron ore, and petroleum are the
main natural resources of Egypt.[6] Crude oil, found most
extensively in the Suez Canal, also is found in areas of the western deserts of
Egypt.[7] Egypt is not a leading
producer in oil, especially since the decline in the amount she distributes,
however she does have her name on the map.[8] Natural gas is primarily
located in the Mediterranean Sea and at the delta of the Nile River.[9] Egypt's consumption of
natural gas is the highest among all their other resources. However natural gas
and crude oil are the chief natural resources in Egypt.[10] Mining in Egypt has been going
on for centuries and goes back to the prehistoric times. Mining iron ore is one
of Egypt's chief mineral resources.[11] Egypt's production of
petroleum is small in number, and their consumption of it is at a large
increase. Although Egypt consumes more petroleum than it produces, it still
serves as a viable export. These natural resources greatly effect Egypt’s
economy. There is a positive outcome to the imports and exports of these items.
These
natural resources were the start to Egypt’s contact with the surrounding countries
of the world. Contact between Egypt and Asia stemmed from trade. Because of the
Silk Road, there were direct routes between Egypt and the surrounding
countries.[12]
Trade with Asia can be placed back to as early as 206 B.C.[13] Egypt gained items such
as goats, livestock and of course China's great silk, and Asia traded for items
such as arrowheads, glass bottles, and gold.[14] The trade between these
two continents not only linked them in trade but also in the spread of religion
and culture.
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Egypt's contact with Europe had a greater impact culturally
and in regards to trade than any other continent. Trade with Europe did not
need the Silk Road as a means to transport goods.[15] Europe was just a boat
ride away over the Mediterranean Sea. Pottery, animals, gold, spices, and
linens are only among the few items that were traded back and forth from Europe
to Egypt.[16]
During this time, the Nile River served as the main means of transportation for
Egypt. A well-made boat was key for the Egyptians.[17] When it came time to
build large cargo vessels to transport all their goods for trade, Egypt
excelled in this area. Unfortunately, Egypt's first contact with Europe
was not do to trade.[18] War and conquering new
land was ever so important to pharaohs, kings, and leaders in the early know
parts of history. For Egypt, the trade and exploration of new
continents proved to be valuable. Many new resources were gained and there was
no decrease in value or the size of Egypt. The other countries that traded with
Egypt had much to gain as well. New resources were gained for Asia and Europe.
Egypt was not a big threat to the surrounding areas, but rather a valuable
source of trade.
Looking back on the origins of Egypt, it is clear to see just
how far she has progressed technologically, economically, and even in religion.
In early Egypt, religion was a polytheistic complex system of beliefs.[19] There were the
system of the gods and the system of man. Pharaohs ruled the people with a
divine power given to him by the gods because of his position.[20] One area of Egyptian
religion that is unique is that the people could have a unique, personally
connection with the gods. This connection with the supreme beings is odd for a
religion where they saw their gods with so much power. One of the biggest
religious practices that the Egyptians prided themselves on was the afterlife.[21] Large pyramids or burial
chambers were made and filled with the most elaborate items for when the person
reached the afterlife. This body after death was mummified and placed in these
grand tombs and a great ceremony was given on behalf of the dead. The problem
with this belief is not the fact that there is an afterlife, because that is
true, however they believed one could take all their possessions and body with
them when they go. These practices fashioned the height of the Egyptian
religion.
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Around 3000 B.C. is where the growth of this religion
really took off and formed deep roots in the Egyptian people.[22] However those beliefs and
practices, such as animal sacrifice, oracles, temple worship, and feasts
are now seen as folklore. The decline in these beliefs were due to Egypt being overtaken
by the Roman Empire. The role of the Pharaoh declined and Egyptians long
established religious beliefs were lost. Throughout the height of Egyptian
religion, there were other religious influences moving into Egypt. Christianity
had a tremendous impact on the Egyptian religion. In Exodus 7-11 God used his
tool, Moses, to speak to the people.[23] Moses spoke the words of
God and gave the Pharaoh and the Egyptian people the chance to let God's people
go, and time after time they refused. Moses showed the powers of God by
inflicted Egypt with the plagues, but there was no impact. Egypt was too deeply
rooted in her religious ways to convert to Christianity or listen to the one true God.
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This first contact with Christianity led the way for the
mission field in Egypt. The mission field in Africa was and still is extensive.
Egypt, having its own form of religion, made it an easy place for Christians,
Muslims, Jews, and others to share their beliefs. They were a target for people
working in the mission field. Christians had the greatest effect on Egypt in
its early years. The Bible tells the story of Moses being a witness to the
people and to the Pharaoh, but Christianity took a firm hold of Egypt during
the Roman Era in Alexandria.[24] Unfortunately today,
Christianity is a small figure in religions in Egypt. The Copts in Egypt are a
Christian Orthodox Church branch that only has a small amount of followers in
Egypt.
The Sunni Muslims took a firm hold of Egypt at the time
when Egypt’s national religion was fading and there was gap religiously that
needed to be filled.[25] At that time Islam made
its impact because it is one of the oldest religions, and Christianity had a
bad name in Egypt, therefore Islam had an easy time at infiltrating Egypt
with their beliefs. Also, it was easy for Islam to become Egypt's national
religion because Muhammad Ali, a Muslim man, became the leader in Egypt.
Religion in Egypt has to do a lot with the man in power. What the leader
believes and says is commonly accepted among the people. Because of
Egypt's geographic location, Islam in Egypt is logical. Egypt has progressed
forward because of this religion in terms of belief in a god rather that the
sun and moon and stars and other entities as gods. They are closer to grasping
Christianity then their ever were. Unfortunately Islam is an old religion that
draws its practices from ancient times. This affects the way they fight and
react to issues they come up against. Even though Islam is predominate,
Christianity still has a voice among the people and has a chance to grow.
Over Egypt's extensive history, there has been many
political changes.[26] Egypt was once a place of kings
and Pharaohs who ruled until their death. Before they died they would appoint
one of their heirs to take over the throne once they were gone. Egypt since
this time has progressed into a semi-presidential system. There has been a lot
of distress among the government because of this change in leadership. Even
with problems that seem to arise, Egypt continues to work through these issues
and form a government that works for their country and their people. Egypt
also has had many changes in their borders over their history. Specifically
since World War I, with the invasion of Egypt by other countries, such as
Germany, political issues brought increasing problems with boundaries. There
has not been extensive growth in Egypt's boarders recently, but back in the
earliest records Egypt was much smaller than we see today. Political takeovers
seem to be the main reason for Egypt decrease and growth.
One big problem is Egypt's national identity and it still being
in question today. Because of the political and religious changes that have
marked Egypt's history, the big question is who they are as a people group. Are
they defined by religion such as Muslim or Christian? It seems that Egypt will
be questioning their national identity until they are politically sound. There
are many differences that mark the Egyptian people but they need to find a
common ground to unite in a call themselves Egyptians.
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