Upper Egypt’s Nile Valley (the mother of countless Nubian generations and Black History itself) is unmistakably African. Just as Aswan is Egypt’s 4th largest city, Upper Egypt’s cultural center, and living evidence of a glorious Kushitic (Kingdom of Kush) past. Some like to refer to The Nile River as the mother of Nubian culture, because she has provided the fertile river banks, amidst the persistent ever-encroaching Northern Africa desert. The greatest triumphs of Nubian culture were amazingly preserved below the desert sands; now Nubia is uncovering treasures worth more than gold - treasures of mankind. The city of Aswan is undoubtedly one the worlds most cultural and vibrant place to visit. Recent awareness campaigns for protection and promotion of Nubian culture is at an all time high. Maybe due to UNESCO’s efforts salvaging coountless Nubian artifacts, the diligence applied by the Oriental Institute in recording and documenting evidence that Nubia once thrived, or even Egypt’s own propensity to recognise the Nubian people while showing respect for their distinctly unique culture. Nubia is akin to a cultural gold mine, with inspirational art, breathtaking monuments, and a vibrant African culture that’s fighting back after centuries of colonial oppression that removed it from our maps. Thankfully, Nubians themselves refused to forget, preserving the necessary detail of Africa’s Nile Valley Nubian people for the modern world to also witness.

The Nubians of Upper Egypt embrace a proud Black history and traditions that are easily traced to the dawn of civilisation. Nubians hold esteemed credentials that identify them as the very first people of whom modern archaeologists have evidence of from northeastern Africa. The Nubians settled along the Nile River from Aswan in Upper Egypt at the first cataract, to sixth cataract near south of Sudan's capital of Khartoum. The Nubians are an ancient people dating back 6000 years (4000 BCE) when Nubian kings ruled in Nubian countries – Oh’ Nubia! Numbering approximately two million ethnically Black people, the Nubians may yet have a positive impact on the future of Africa and make worthy contributions to the world. However, for this to exist intentional discrimination because of their non-Arab descent in both Sudan and Egypt must be eradicated. Black history must be reinvented and retold!

Following the construction of the Aswan High Dam in 1960, the Nubians faced a painful exodus from their ancient dwellings. Hundreds of thousands of Nubians were forced to leave their homeland because of flooding from the newly constructed dam. They were dispersed to less fertile areas in both Sudan and Egypt. Many Nubians monuments and historical sites were lost as a result of the construction of the dam, but the reward generated from the salvage project cannot be underestimated. The Nubians lost much of their ancient homeland, countries and kingdoms since the final nail of colonialism (The Berlin Conference of 1884) strangled Africa into submission. Nevertheless, Nubian culture and heritage remain ever constant, among the people of the Nile Valley through tales, fables, and myths.

Life in Nubia wasn’t much different than today, Nile Valley farming supported extended Black African families within small villages. The typical Nubian house is very spacious. Several large rooms accommodate the extended family members and guests. An open courtyard in the center of each home acts as a versatile area, while many have smaller storeroom like places to hold animals such as donkeys or goats. Nubians take pride in painting their houses bright colors, but tend to favor blue, as it is associated with the Nile River itself. Another distinctive age-old practice of the Nubians is the geometric patterns often painted on the front of the houses, the shapes and colors often lively and ethnic scenes.

Remember The Time...

Today is your inauguration to truly glorious Black history. What better way is there to celebrate black heritage than to journey back thousands of years before modern prophecy to learn about a truly magnificent bygone era? Yes! Great Black empires and dynasties of grand pharaohs who ruled in the cradle of civilisation… Upper Egypt – Nubian – Aswan!

Imagine ancestors of the Black Diaspora… generations of Blacks were once looked upon with such reverence! Let your mind travel back in time when you visit this land. You’ll find pure feelings; pure and clean like the rock-filtered water at the various Nile cataract boundaries. History is cleansed by the rocks of ages, just as your mind will be cleansed by masses of newly released information, and new artifacts that offer insight to things you only imagined of Africa.

Allow yourself to venture to a time when Black people offered the inspiration for life, justice, knowledge, and creativity. Treasure vaults of mankind are at your convenience!

Prior to the misguided imagination of recent empires, Nubians lived according to a peaceful and traditional way of life, a simple lifestyle; seemingly how they were easily dominated by invading military might and ignorant racial prejudice. We aim to recreate the serene characteristics of Nubian culture for your pleasure and knowledge. I encourage you to build new memories that will stir your heart and last in your imagination. Please enjoy the peacefulness of this place with us – Nubia…

Ustaz Hetep Bilal Franklyn Neter-Nu