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THE REIGN OF QUEEN HATSHEPSUT

Queen Hatshepsut, one of the most remarkable figures in ancient Kemet, reigned during the 18th Dynasty. Known for her unique position as a female pharaoh in a predominantly male-dominated society, her reign marked a significant period in Kemet's history. Her name translates to "She Is First Among Noble Women," reflects her royal lineage and status. She served as the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty, ruling from approximately 1479 to 1458 BCE. Hatshepsut was born to King Tuthmosis I and Queen Ahmose, positioning her within the royal family of the Theban nome, a significant cultural and political center in Kemet.

Her reign is noted for its extensive building projects, including the magnificent mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari, celebrated for its architectural innovation and aesthetic beauty. Additionally, Hatshepsut is renowned for her successful expedition to Punt, likely modern-day Somalia/Kenya, which significantly boosted Kemet's economic prosperity. This expedition brought back valuable goods such as myrrh, ebony, and exotic animals, indicating her strategic importance as a leader. Hatshepsut's inscriptions at Deir El-Bahri claim her divine mother to be Het-Heru known to the Greeks as Hathor. The people of Punt were quite similar to the ancient Kemites in form and feature, as seen in the relief of King Parahu and Queen Ati shown on the temple walls at Deir al-Bahri.

"It is the sacred region of Gods Land (Punt)
It is my place of distraction
I have made it for myself in order to cleanse my spirit
Along with my mother, Hathor,
The Lady of Punt."

- Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Deir El-Bahri

This exchange between the two nations brought back living trees to Kemet, marking the first known successful attempt at transplanting foreign fauna. In the Egyptian Autobiography, Punt is also referred to as the “land of the horizon-dwellers". This epithet is a description of their oldest of ancestors as well as the "Neteru" which is the ancient Kemetic Pantheon. Deities such as Amun the God of Gods, Het-Heru (Hathor) the "Lady of Punt", Bes the "Lord of Punt", Min "Lord of the desert lands (Nubia) and ruler of the Bowmen (Nubians), and the triad of Ausar, Auset and Heru all have their origins south of Kemet in the Land of Punt.

The Ethnicity of a faction of the inhabitants of the land of Punt was briefly alluded to in the "Festival of Min" at Medinet Habu. A man who takes part in the Festival recites a hymn to Min and he is referred to as "nHs n pwnt" which translates to “Nehesy of Punt". The term "Nehesy" refers to Nubians, a generic term for the various populations and ethnic groups associated with the lands south of Kemet. The Nehesy played a pivotal role in the creation of the nation and were involved in forming the foundational building blocks of the nation of Kemet. They also serves as intermediaries and traders, facilitated the exchange of goods and cultural practices, and contributed to the economic and cultural wealth of Nile Valley civilization. This relationship goes back to pre-dynastic times, long before the unification of Upper and Lower Kemet.

Queen Hatshepsut's legacy is a testament to her ability to navigate the complexities of ancient Kemetic politics as a female ruler. Her achievements in architecture, trade, and governance left an indelible mark on Kemet's history, showcasing the potential of women in leadership roles. Additionally, her connections to other African peoples through trade and shared ancestry highlight the cultural interconnectivity of ancient civilizations.

References
Dunn, Jimmy. Ancient Egypt: A Social History. Cambridge University Press, 1983.
Tydesley, Joyce. "Hatchepsut: The Female Pharaoh." Viking, 1996.
Watterson, Barbara. "The Life and Times of Hatshepsut." The Daily Life of the Ancient Egyptians, 1995.

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"King of Upper Kemet…Beautiful is the Ka-Soul of Ra who appears in Waset"

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DJEDEFRE: AGE OF THE PYRAMID BUILDERS

Djedefre, which translates to “Enduring like Ra” was an ancient Kemetic pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty. His age is often referred to as the "Age of the Pyramids," a period characterized by the construction of the famous pyramids, including those at Giza. Djedfre is particularly noted for his own pyramid at Abu Rawash, which, while not as well-known as the others, reflects the architectural advancements of that era. His reign is estimated to have occurred around 2570–2560 BCE.

Djedfre was from the Nile Delta region, specifically associated with the 16th nome of Lower Kemet, known as the Nome of the "Great House" also called "Nome of the Crocodile". His father Khufu, also known as Cheops, was from the 4th nome of Upper Kemet, known as the Nome of the "Gods". Khufu is best known for commissioning the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Djedefre was the son of Khufu, or possibly his brother. It is sometimes suggested that he was the child of a lesser queen who killed Crown Prince Kawab, his brother and the rightful heir to the throne, and married Khawab’s wife Hetepheres II to cement his position. This is, however, unsubstantiated.

Historians believe that Kawab, the brother of Djedefre, was born to Khufu and an Kemetic (Egyptian) queen, such that he had a stronger right to the throne than Djedefre, whose mother was unknown.

He assumed the throne of Kemet after the death of his father by seizing the monarchy from his brother Kawab, marrying Hetepheres II — who the widow of his dead brother — and ruling Kemet with his strength for eight or 11 years, depending on the accounts.

His reign ended when he was murdered by his brother Khafre. He was survived by his three sons and the two daughters he had with Khentetenka, his second wife. As a legitimate son of Khufu, he enjoyed prestige being associated with his great father’s name. Suffice to say, his main legacy was his reverence to god Ra and his adoption of the title Son of Ra because this embodied his veneration of the power of the god of the sun.

Old Kingdom, 4th Dynasty, c. 2565-2558 B.C. Abu Rawash (site of Egypt’s most northern pyramid, Djedefre’s Pyramid). Musée du Louvre. E 12626

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