Monday, July 11, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
The Ancient Egyptian Revolution
At the beginning of civilization in ancient Egypt , and at the time when they started forming monarchy, the king was the representative of gods on Earth, or in another form he was the son of gods and their descendant. Although we cannot say they worshipped the king, we have to admit they looked highly upon him and had great respect for him. To impress his people, the king made every effort and used all his abilities to make the people happy and content. The Pharaohs wanted to provide their nation with great wealth and protection.
In the Old Kingdom, which is the period known as the pyramid's builders, we can feel the love and respect that went into building those great pyramids; we can sense that such a great project could not be built but through love from the people for their own Pharaoh. But towards the end of that period, Egypt was ruled by weak Pharaohs, who didn't care about their own people as much as their own wealth, and they had false support of the small group of people surrounding them.
During the 6th dynasty (around 2300 BC), the Pharaoh Pipi, who became a Pharaoh at the age of 4, ruled for almost 96 years which was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Shortly after, the people of Egypt started the first revolution known in the history of mankind which was against corruption, poverty and humiliation. That revolution led to the fall of the Old Kingdom, and Egypt went into what is known as the First Intermediate Period. This period was filled with chaos, and it took a while until Egypt became united again and at the start of the Middle Kingdom.
The people of Egypt, throughout history, like to be ruled by a respected person who cares about them. They like this person, and are always ready to give him everything, but in return they want him to look after them well, and to respect and protect them. When the deal between the ruler and the people is broken, they start their uprising and revolution, but soon after they move towards stability, and begin building their civilization once again.
Hisham el Meniawy
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Ancient Egyptian Revolution
At the beginning of civilization in ancient Egypt , and at the time when they started forming monarchy, the king was the representative of gods on Earth, or in another form he was the son of gods and their descendant. Although we cannot say they worshipped the king, we have to admit they looked highly upon him and had great respect for him. To impress his people, the king made every effort and used all his abilities to make the people happy and content. The Pharaohs wanted to provide their nation with great wealth and protection.
In the Old Kingdom, which is the period known as the pyramid's builders, we can feel the love and respect that went into building those great pyramids; we can sense that such a great project could not be built but through love from the people for their own Pharaoh. But towards the end of that period, Egypt was ruled by weak Pharaohs, who didn't care about their own people as much as their own wealth, and they had false support of the small group of people surrounding them.
During the 6th dynasty (around 2300 BC), the Pharaoh Pipi, who became a Pharaoh at the age of 4, ruled for almost 96 years which was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Shortly after, the people of Egypt started the first revolution known in the history of mankind which was against corruption, poverty and humiliation. That revolution led to the fall of the Old Kingdom, and Egypt went into what is known as the First Intermediate Period. This period was filled with chaos, and it took a while until Egypt became united again and at the start of the Middle Kingdom.
The people of Egypt, throughout history, like to be ruled by a respected person who cares about them. They like this person, and are always ready to give him everything, but in return they want him to look after them well, and to respect and protect them. When the deal between the ruler and the people is broken, they start their uprising and revolution, but soon after they move towards stability, and begin building their civilization once again.
Hisham el Meniawy
Monday, April 18, 2011
The meaning of the Revolution
The original meaning of the term "revolution" is to change the government and the governor, as well as the whole political system. But there are other meanings of word as well. The best meaning of the Egyptian revolution is not to change the president and his corrupt regime and shuffle all the ugly faces around, but it strives to change the way of life and thinking of the average Egyptian.
At the beginning of the revolution, we all watched what Egyptian people from all walks of life had done, which was quite unique by all means. A beautiful picture of the Egyptian people, a complete artist's portrait of the great civilization of mankind. The ordinary meaning of revolution is very different from what the Egyptians have asked for. The revolution in Egypt was not against a president, a presidential regime, a corrupt party, but it was a revolution against ignorance and corruption. In spite of the poverty in Egypt, the revolution was not to fight poverty but to call for human rights and justice, to call for lost dignity.
The revolution was a cry for clean streets and great schools, where a new generation will be educated to build the future civilization of Egypt. It was a cry for clean hospitals where people can be well treated. It was a cry for policemen who work to serve both the country and the people who pay taxes, not to act as their master; for a police force that is respected because they represent the country and the law, and do not abuse their power.
The revolution allowed the people to have their voices heard in their country, and has the potential to grow political value abroad, so the Egyptians can feel respected in all countries, never to be disrespected nor underestimated anywhere either as a worker or as a tourist. This was the Egyptian revolution, and once again, time after time, the great Egypt gives another lesson to history.
Hisham El Meniawy
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The New Heb Sed Festival
In ancient Egypt thousands of years ago, there was a tradition known as the heb sed which came after 30 years of the pharaoh's rule. The tradition started in other parts of Africa, when people would kill the chief of the tribe after 30 years of his rule, based on the idea that he had given everything he could to his people, and he couldn't give more. As the tribe needed new blood, his successor would attend the ceremony, and watch over the old chief's killing, so his young body could receive the wise soul of his ancestor.
If that was what happened in other parts of Africa, what happened in Egypt was different. The Egyptians have always been very civilized, so they never killed the king. What they used to do was run the beautiful festival, the heb sed, when the pharaoh would prove he was still young and strong enough to rule for another 30 years, something like a re-election.
Is it not funny that the same thing happens in Egypt in the modern time? The people of Egypt decided to change the president after 30 years to change to new blood.
Mubarak, the ex-president, came into power in 1981 and stepped down in 2011! After 30 years, history repeats itself. After all those years, and from under the tons of dust, Egypt reveals itself, and is ready to teach the whole world the true meaning of democracy.
By Hisham El.Meniawy
By Hisham El.Meniawy
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
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