The Egyptian Nile -
The Beginning Of A Civilization
The Egyptian Nile, called "iteru", has been the only source of fresh water for the Egyptian since ancient times. The only reason a civilization developed in Egypt is because the nomadic tribes could settle along the banks of the river and cultivate the land.
The Nile is the longest river on the planet: approximately 4,160 miles (or 6,670 km as we use the metric system in Egypt). It runs from eastern Africa up through to the Nile Delta, which then empties out into the Mediterranean Sea.
Actually if you look at it, with its long body that opens up into the many canals that form the triangular delta, it looks like a beautiful ancient Egyptian lotus flower.
Most of Egypt's population was, and still is, found in cities and villages situated along the banks of the Egyptian Nile.
Ancient Egypt itself was also called the Nile Valley. Even the name for ancient Egypt "Kemet", meaning "black land", is associated with the black fertile soil the Nile provided for the ancient Egyptians.
And as the Nile flows from the south to the north, ancient Egypt was hence divided into Upper and Lower Egypt - in relation to the direction the Nile flows.
Click here for clarification on the geography of ancient Egypt.
Flooding of the Nile, the Source of Life
As Egypt's terrain is mainly dry desert, the key of life was the annual flooding of the Nile onto the banks. Almost every year between the months of July and October, the waters would rise and cover the land on both sides.
This annual flooding would produce a very fertile black soil which provided excellent agricultural land.
The ancient Egyptians also irrigated this land with canals to further manage the soil.
There were of course cases in the ancient times when there would be too much or too little flooding. This would cause nothing short of a disaster. Famine, disease and death were the result.
This annual flooding actually continued up until the building of the modern High Dam holding back the great lake Nasser. This provided some stability from the flooding - which, ironically, was what the ancients depended on to live!
It also holds back the much-feared crocodiles and hippos.
He Who Drinks from the Nile
Whether under control or not, for both the modern and the ancient Egyptians, the Nile still is the lifeline of Egypt. It is the source of life.
Every time I pass over the bridge or ride a "felluka" or boat on the Nile, I can't help but think of this. It is what runs in our blood since the time of the Pharaohs.
We have a saying here in Egypt: "He who drinks from the Nile will always return to it." For most Egyptian, we can't stay away too long, even with all the dust and traffic!
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