Ahnat of Kush: A Child of Ancient Kush
It is time to read a story!
Goal:
Goal:
Read the following story to learn more about the people of ancient Africa.
Day breaks. I knew it would come, but I hoped it would not. Today is the day my brother leaves for Egypt to live in the palace of Pharaoh, learn their ways, and study. When he returns, he will be a man. I know that although he is only 10, he has the heart of a lion--as strong, perhaps, as the lion warrior god, Apedemak, himself. But still, I will miss him, though I don’t dare speak of it.
Ahnat of Kush: A Child of Ancient Kush
Day breaks. I knew it would come, but I hoped it would not. Today is the day my brother leaves for Egypt to live in the palace of Pharaoh, learn their ways, and study. When he returns, he will be a man. I know that although he is only 10, he has the heart of a lion--as strong, perhaps, as the lion warrior god, Apedemak, himself. But still, I will miss him, though I don’t dare speak of it. For myself, I am to be married soon. It is possible my husband will be an Egyptian of great power, and in this way, I may see my brother before long. It is the way of our people. The Kush. Though we are different from the Egyptians with their fancy dress and curious gods, still we have many similarities about us. When my brother returns to share the wealth of his wisdom with our people, it is my hope that he will not be too changed--that he will remember our gods and our ways, too. That he will hold us in his heart and spirit while he learns the ways of the Pharaoh and his people. I climb out of my wooden bed, put on a fresh tunic, and walk outside into the hot, sunny day.
Even in the early morning, the sun beats down upon us, calling us to do our work quickly so we may rest in the afternoon shade. My mother greets me kindly and hands me a piece of flatbread and dates. She smiles, but I know she, too, will miss my brother. We talk about the festival that took place last night. Oh, the dancing and the sound of the kobun kash tambourine, it is still singing in my ears. My sisters, brother, and I spun around so wildly, I could feel my heartbeat in my ears! The priests elected a new king, and the whole city of Napata rejoiced. We pray to Amon-Re that he will be a strong and just king, like his mother, the queen, was before him.
It is time. My mother and I gather my brother’s belongings. It is not much. Though we are wealthy by many people’s standards, my father is a merchant and does well in trade and commerce, my brother’s needs on this journey are few. He will be traveling with 8 other boys from good families, chosen by the priests to represent our city to Pharaoh. I am proud of my brother, and he is excited to go on this adventure, that I can see.
We bow to our family altar and leave. The great rowing ship waits for us at the edge of the Nile; its men sit resting at the oars. It is weighed down by the taxes we send to Pharaoh. My brother turns and calls out his goodbyes. We embrace. I am happy for him. His future is as bright as the sun that warms our lands.