#kemetic outfits

[burlveneer-music]

Eparapo - Take to The Streets - Afrobeat band led by Suman Joshi and featuring Dele Sosimi and Tamar Osborn, among others

Wah Wah 45s are proud to present the full debut album from Afrobeat supergroup Eparapo. Having come together during the unprecedented events of the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, and despite being a project born from the privations of lockdown, their music is ultimately an expression of hope, resilience & resurgence. The word “eparapo” means “join forces” in Yoruba, the language of Afrobeat. It’s also the title of a track by the late, great Tony Allen - drummer for Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti and lifelong friend and mentor of our very own “Afrobeat Ambassador”, Dele Sosimi. Not only did Tony help to invent Afrobeat, he always looked for ways to push the boundaries, never content with recreating what had gone before but constantly expanding and developing the genre. This project hopes to pay homage to his legacy, and that of Fela Kuti himself. Its aim is to innovate, fuse and diversify while still retaining the essence of the music. The force behind Eparapo is bassist, composer & producer Suman Joshi. He has been a member of Dele Sosimi’s Afrobeat Orchestra for nearly a decade and has performed on stage with the likes of Tony Allen, Seun Kuti, Ginger Baker & Laura Mvula. He is also bassist with UK jazz ensemble Collocutor and fusion project Cubafrobeat. The rest of the group comprises of highly rated UK jazz vocalist Sahra Gure; saxophonist, composer, producer and bandleader of the renowned forward thinking jazz outfit Collocutor, Tamar Osborn; keyboard player, producer and front man for Lokkhi Terra and Cubafrobeat, Kishon Khan; one of the UK’s finest and most in demand trumpeters, Graeme Flowers, who has played with Quincy Jones, Gregory Porter and many more; trombonist for Bellowhead and mainstay of Dele’s Afrobeat Orchestra, Justin Thurgur; and finally drummer for Steamdown and Sons of Kemet, as well as the man behind the Nache project, Eddie Wakili Hick.

#Eparapo #afrobeat #funk #uk #2023 #wah wah 45s #Bandcamp

[practically-an-x-man]

reaching out with their hand without saying anything, wanting the other one to grab it

For my fave ship Ahkat? (You know I would pick them)

Oooh good choice! Ahk and Kat are such an adorable pair to write <3

____ Christmas Lights

Word Count: 977 Content Warnings: None!

"Hey, do you have time for a walk?" Katherine asked, resisting the urge to bounce on her toes. Ahkmenrah glanced up at the clock over the wall. Hardly ten at night. They had hours to spare before sunrise.

"Always, my love." he agreed, "I imagine you've got something planned for us?"

"I do..." Katherine replied, drawing the words out cryptically though she couldn't stop the smile pulling at her lips, "It's a surprise. You'll like it."

"I'm sure I will," he replied, returning her smile, "Give me just a moment to get changed and we'll go."

She met him at the door not even ten minutes later, pulling her own coat on against the winter chill. The young pharaoh had swapped his usual Kemetic garb for something much more... well... New York-appropriate. He was dressed in dark slacks and a deep green button-up, and was in the process of pulling on a worn corduroy coat when she joined him. It made him look academic, sophisticated - as ironic as it was, he looked more like he belonged in the museum in this getup than in his usual wear. Compared to how well the outfit complimented his slender frame, Katherine felt almost inept in her puffy winter jacket and paint-spattered blue jeans.

"Ready?" she asked. Ahk nodded and moved to push open the door, holding it for her as she stepped through. Months of this, and she still never grew tired of his chivalry. She didn't imagine she ever would.

The walk was brief but awfully chilly, and Katherine found herself drifting back towards Ahk's side as they made their way through the streets. Snow came down in fat white flakes. Every so often, she shivered as a snowflake snuck down the hem of her jacket.

Winter in New York was rarely a glamorous thing from the street, with its stacks of grey slush clogging the streets and endless bustle of foot traffic even late at night, but Katherine could appreciate the sight either way. They hardly ever got snow back in Memphis. Grey slush or not, there were lights on the storefronts and decorations all strung up overhead, and there was beauty to all of that. She wanted to paint it.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Ahk leaned in and kissed her cheek without even breaking stride. Katherine tilted her head at him but didn't hide her smile.

"Mistletoe." he said by way of explanation.

"I'm surprised you even know about that tradition," Katherine replied, "Isn't that... what, Roman? Celtic?"

"Roman. Saturnalia. I... may have helped Octavius hang a piece over the doorway to the miniatures' exhibit."

Katherine giggled under her breath, shaking her head.

"That's not going to work out the way he thinks it will," she said, "He'll probably end up having to kiss one of his own soldiers."

"Hm. Maybe."

There was something interesting in his voice, a joke that hadn't quite reached its punchline, and Katherine raised her eyebrows at her partner.

"What is it?"

"Jed may have asked me to hang one in the same place." Ahk admitted, shooting her a cheeky smile. Katherine laughed, bumping her shoulder into his own good-naturedly.

"You're playing matchmaker!"

"Just a touch." he agreed with a low shrug, "It's about time, anyway. I've been watching those two circle each other for decades."

"Well, I suppose when you've got decades to spend..." Katherine said with a shrug, then glanced up at the building ahead of them, "Oh, hey, we're here."

She led him into the building and spoke briefly with the woman at the front desk before guiding him down to the elevators. She caught Ahk sneaking glances at the foyer around them, looking faintly confused.

"Emily got an internship here," Katherine explained, pulling him gently into the elevator and punching the button for the top floor, "She told her boss you were an out-of-towner, and she agreed to help us out with a little favor."

Another minute or two later, and the two of them stepped out onto the highest floor of the building. It was an open room, perhaps a conference space, with a full wall of windows on the far side. Katherine wandered towards that far wall, her pharaoh only a step behind.

"Look at that," she said, a little breathless. She'd never seen the lights of New York laid out like this either. The city sprawled out in front of them, lit in a dozen colors. The cars far below looked like toys, the crowds of people like ants milling about in search of crumbs. Far off in the distance, she could see Central Park in a blanket of soft white, and Times Square with its leviathan tree all covered in ornaments.

Ahkmenrah came up to her side, standing so close she could hear the way his breath stalled at the sight. He didn't speak. The lights of the city reflected in his eyes, turning them almost silver.

Wordlessly, he held out a hand to her. Katherine laced her fingers with his own and leaned into his side, savoring the warmth of his touch.

Ahk leaned down and again kissed her cheek, the same way he had out on the street. Katherine smiled, turning her head to catch a second kiss against her lips.

"No mistletoe this time," she teased, bumping him lightly with her hip. Ahk tilted his head, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small green sprig.

"You did not," Katherine gaped at him, though she failed to keep her laughter confined to her chest. Ahk grinned, dimples creasing his cheeks.

"I haven't hung Jed's yet," he said, "Figured I'd want it with me. It's a lovely tradition."

His eyes gleamed as he lifted the greenery high over their heads. He didn't speak, but he tilted his head in invitation.

They shared a kiss surrounded by the lights of Christmas.

#my friends!!! #answered asks #my ocs #oc katherine johnson #my writing #who waits forever anyway? fic #natm fanfiction #night at the museum #ahkmenrah #oneshot #ficlet #fluff #holiday fluff

[f0xd13-blog]

Ans feelings my friends ARE ENERGY that is ehy you FEEL attracted to the energy of stones. Now look at this... important parts of egyptian culture besides energy that we used through stones (even your blood ir a mineral btw, the water from your body is a mineral also) was our outfits.. our identity... so egyptian care for music and sound(re usable energy), stones(nucleum of energy) , fabrics and funeral rites... and that was the inception of art.

[votava-records]

Eparapo - Black Lives Matter (feat. Dele Sosimi)

Album: From London To Lagos (Remixes) [EP]

Wah Wah 45s are proud to present a new set of remixes, as well as originals released on vinyl for the very first time, from Afrobeat supergroupEparapo. Having come togetherduring the unprecedented events of the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, and despite being a project born from the privations of lockdown, their music is ultimately an expression of hope, resilience & resurgence.

The word "eparapo" means "join forces" in Yoruba, the language of Afrobeat. It's also the title of a track by the late, greatTony Allen- drummer for Afrobeat legendFela Kutiand lifelong friend and mentor of our very own "Afrobeat Ambassador",Dele Sosimi. Not only did Tony help to invent Afrobeat, he always looked for ways to push the boundaries, never content with recreating what had gone before but constantly expanding and developing the genre. This project hopes to pay homage to his legacy, and that of Fela Kuti himself. Its aim is to innovate, fuse and diversify while still retaining the essence of the music.

The force behind Eparapo is bassist, composer & producerSuman Joshi.He has been a member of Dele Sosimi's Afrobeat Orchestra for nearly a decade and has performed on stage with the likes of Tony Allen, Seun Kuti, Ginger Baker & Laura Mvula. He is also bassist with UK jazz ensemble Collocutor and fusion project Cubafrobeat.

Featured vocalist on both original tracks, and remixes, is the aforementioned Dele Sosimi - keyboard player and musical director for Fela's Egypt 80 as well as Wah Wah 45s recording artist on both his solo material and the recent collaboration with house music producer, Medlar.

The rest of the group comprises of bandleader ofAfrik Bawantuand percussionist for Ibibio Sound Machine and Keleketla,Afla Sackey; highly rated UK jazz vocalistSahra Gure; saxophonist, composer, producer and bandleader of the renowned forward thinking jazz outfit Collocutor,Tamar Obsorn; keyboard player, producer and front man for Lokkhi Terra and Cubafrobeat,Kishon Khan; one of the UK's finest and most in demand trumpeters,Graeme Flowers, who has played with Quincy Jones, Gregory Porter and many more; trombonist for Bellowhead and mainstay of Dele's Afrobeat Orchestra,Justin Thurgur; and finally drummer for Steamdown and Sons of Kemet, as well as the man behind the Nache project,Eddie Wakili Hick.

From London To Lagoswas inspired by a talk given by writerRoberto Savianoat the Hay Book Festival in 2016, just before the Brexit referendum. In it he described the UK as the "most corrupt country in the world". This was a reminder of how the leaders of so-called developed countries, conveniently suffering from colonial amnesia, still point disparagingly at the rest of the world and talk of "endemic corruption" and "Banana Republics". All the while the ill-gotten gains of organised crime syndicates, corrupt multinationals and military juntas across the globe are funnelled through financial centres such as London. Same trouble, different methods, greater scale. Of course the best way to divert the population from all this is to find distractions such as populist leaders who declare their countries "world beating" and scapegoats such as refugees, immigrants and other members of the underclasses. It has always been thus but it doesn't always have to be so.

This track was once more recorded remotely during lockdown and features an all star lineup of world class musicians from the UK Afrobeat and jazz scenes. Members of the Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra, Keleketla, Sons of Kemet and beyond have come together to create this powerhouse of a band. They encapsulate the meaning of "eparapo" and "join forces'' to fight a common enemy in the shape of corrupt and divisive ideologies.

Black Lives Matterwas obviously inspired by the movement of the same name and was the first track to be released by Eparapo in late 2020. Dele's voice tell the story slave ships leaving West Africa in the fifteenth century, the brutal conditions that were experienced on board, and the continued suffering of the African diaspora today. As always, half of the artist's income for this song will be donated to the NAACP - a civil rights organisation in the United States, created for the advancement of black people by means of following judicial policies.

#Eparapo #Dele Sosimi #afrobeat #afrofunk #blm movement #blm #african #wahwah45s #afrojazz #Youtube

[kemetcandles]

Buy the Best Luxury Room Spray

The Kemet candle luxury room spray line can be applied to any type of furniture, outfit, or surface, including those on a car.

#luxury room spray

[buymycomics]

The Smile - A Light for Attracting Attention - Ltd Ed, Yellow Colored Vinyl, 2XLP, XL Recordings, 2022

The Smile - A Light for Attracting Attention - Ltd Ed, Yellow Colored Vinyl, 2XLP, XL Recordings, 2022 New trio consisting of Thom Yorke, his Radiohead bandmate Jonny Greenwood and drummer Tom Skinner of UK jazz outfit Sons of Kemet. #theSmile #radiohead #vinyl #records #recordsforsale

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[whocreatetherays]

Can I get a kiss ?

And can you make it last forever ?

#black girl magic #black girls #black tumblr #black woman #black #red aesthetic #red velvet #red satin #fire witch #afro witch #witchblr #kemetic modern outfit #afro aesthetic #afrohair #afro #lingerie #desert witch

[pikapika-picrews]

#picrew #wip picrew #piercings #furry #anthro #collar #tattoos #muzzle #horns #scars #kemetic outfit

[poptod]

Pull the Stars Out of the Sky (And Gift Them to Me), pt. 11, (Ahkmenrah x Reader)

Description: Thunder for the God.

Notes: this is it! the final chapter. I wanna say thank you to a few people cause I rarely ever respond to comments directly, mostly cause i never know what to say, but @diasimar, @edteche2, @moon-stars-soul, @crewman-penelope, @hah0106, thank you so fuckin much for your comments!! it really kept me going while i was working and really motivated me. im rly worried this last chapter is gonna disappoint but i gotta post it at some point! WC: 1.7k

+

A feast was held. Of course it was––the only way Egyptians knew how to celebrate was with plenty of food, plenty of booze, and lots of sex. Already people wrote songs of your exploits, performing them as they waited for you and Ahk to appear in the courtroom now filled to the brim with the people of Memphis. Clashing drums and lutes accompanied by harps and singing voices all came from behind the walls, but the room Ahk prepared himself in remained mostly quiet, occupied only by you and himself. Piye was busy tending to the citizens with the help of Gyasi, who offered his services in helping the now-blind vizier.

"I never thought to see this day," Ahk said softly, staring at his reflection in the mirror. His outfit, which had taken about an hour to get on (plus makeup), left him the striking image of the Pharaoh you had first met––drowned in gold, in gemstones, reeking of rich, spoiled tastes.

"What, that you'd be attending a party in your own honor?" You asked with a chuckle.

"No," he said, turning to you, "I didn't think I'd see you willingly stand beside me."

"I didn't either. I hated you."

"Rightfully so," he mumbled. "I'm sorry, again, for how I treated you."

"You could've been a lot nicer while kidnapping me."

"I know. But you're happy now... right?"

"Yes," you said, grinning. "What would you do if I wasn't?"

"Abandon everything," he said with a careless shrug. "Run away with you. Leave it all behind."

"Even with a feast outside those doors?" You asked as you stepped closer. He took advantage of that, pulling you in by your waist and smiling when your chests met.

"Well, I might have to go to that first. But afterwards, I would go anywhere for you. Do anything. You are mine, now," he said, growing soft as his lips brushed against your temple, "and I have fought long to prove it."

"I think you belong to me more than I belong to you," you chuckled.

"Perhaps you're right," he said, swaying with you to the muted tunes of harpstrings. "I don't mind either way as long as you love me."

"I do," you mumbled.

"Say it," he said, parting from you to look you in the eye. His hand came up to your face, stroking the soft skin of your cheek as he gazed into you, searching for words he had longed for all this time. "Please."

"I love you, Ahk."

There he went again––tears down his face, dripping into and caught by the smile that spread across his rosy lips. He leant in to kiss you, still wet with those salty tears, but you happily returned his affections.

Until his kiss grew deep, devolving into him biting at your neck again, pressing himself against your body till your back inevitably hit a wall. He sandwiched you there, running his hands from your chest to your hips and back up to your face.

"Now then, your people wait for you. Don't disappoint them by not showing up," you warned him, but there was little resolve in your tone, already torn up by the blush pervading your cheeks.

"I'll be quick," he muttered against your skin, followed by a laugh when you groaned.

"But you can also do this later, when you can take your time," you said, but couldn't stop yourself from smiling even as you tried to push him away.

"I can do it twice."

"Ahk!"

"Call my name again, love," he said, drawing away from you with a shit-eating grin.

"We can do this after," you said as you fully pushed him away. "Even during, depending how the evening goes."

"I like how you think," Ahk said, offering his hand to you with a cocked chin raised high. "Ready to go?"

You nodded.

The doors before you opened, and a short walk up to the throne led you to overlook the crowd, scanning over every citizen's face whose eyes fell to you. Without a word spoken from you or Ahk, silence fell in the hall crowded past the brim. Torches flanked either side of the long room, illuminating the moving heads, as well as marking the searing smoke of meat and the plates of food presented out on the many tables.

It was not unlike the feast for Amun, but this time the only human images standing on a podium were you and Ahk. No more golden statues. Now what remained was the Pharaoh in all his glory, glowing as though blessed with an ethereal light, sheer silk with sewn gold cascading from him like a comet trailing the sky.

Once most everyone's attention was on the Pharaoh, he spoke.

"I know that much of my rule has not been through peaceful times," he said, meeting the eyes of every listener. "I thank you all for your patience with me. We have seen the rising of my brother's empire, and it has ended in ruin––we have seen the death of three Pharaohs, myself included."

A quiet laugh murmured through the crowd. Out of the corner of your eye, you spied Piye sticking to the wall by themself. You jogged over, whispering a beckoning, before taking their hand and personally leading them up the pedestal.

"I am sure you have all heard of what I've done. The events that have come to pass. Whether or not you have the whole of the story, or any true part of the story, is what worries me. I want all of you to know why I did what I did––why, exactly, I am not a heretic. You deserve that much."

Ahk spoke as though conversing with an old friend, something you were sure made his approval rating amongst the populace skyrocket. He continued that tone of voice, that familiarity, as he recounted the long events of the past few months, from your appearance in the castle (which he labelled as a gift from the Gods), to Ma'at herself locking Amun into the sky. They all listened closely, believing every word of their loving Pharaoh.

"I did what I did to protect myself, my people, and my friends. They were necessary evils. But now I have Ma'at's blessing, and I take my rightful place as your Pharaoh," he said with a growing confidence that boomed in his projected voice. "I am Ra's Son once more."

An eruption of cheers and shouts burst your ears, and you grinned from ear to ear, glancing to your side to watch for Ahk's reaction. He was smiling as well, prideful as he deserved. Piye held their own small smile as well.

Instruments came back in full swing, humming and thrumming with the vibrations of the tall chamber. Though at first they were the melodies of many songs, playing one after the other without pause, they converged into a tune that filled your head, seeping into the thoughts of every listener. You paid little attention to the words they sang in perfect harmonies till a word caught your attention––your name. Looking out across the citizens of Memphis, of Kemet, you realized they were singing about you.

The fire that reigns on the burning King will never yield to the sword! The spells that remain pour down in the rain as the Nile boils in the sea

What wonders they bring! This thunder for the God, Amoke and the hundreds that sing the name of the God, Amoke

Pray to the earth for a saving grace As the magi searches the planes The dead, they seek The living antique a God of his own who can't rest on his throne Call to the name of the holy

We sing to thee! Sunset for the God, Amoke Sing praise for thee! Thunder for the God, Amoke Thunder for the God, Amoke! The beauty of the God, Amoke!

Your mouth hung open as you watched them sing, ignorant to Ahk, who was now smiling at your shocked expression.

"... and so will you be remembered," Ahk murmured, his arms wrapping around you as he came up behind you. "A God for all of time.”

“My Amoke."

~+~

You had access to great temples––to places of worship hundreds of years old, intricately detailed spells shown on every wall, bases of golden statues littered with flowers and offerings. Instead you stuck to your tiny altar, hidden away in one of the smaller storage rooms not in use. Ahk didn't quite understand it, but he allowed it happily, and left you alone to your devices.

The only item standing on your altar was a tiny statuette in the form of Mahjur. If Ahk found out that was who you were praying to, you weren't sure what he'd do, so for the time being you kept it secret. Besides that, it was nothing more than a table you set incense and tiny plates of food and water on.

It was the only light in the room––the tiny rushlight, the lit incense drawing smoke into the air. Layers of it fell above your head, knelt low in respect of the God who had helped you.

Physical feeling fell away, and in that moment, your forehead pressed to the table, you realized the many prayers you'd sent into the stranger of an underworld were being answered at last.

A single, high note rang in your head as the image of open, glowing eyes pierced your thoughts.

"Is Ahk ssssafe?" They asked in a whisper in your head that you could barely hear.

Yes, you thought, keeping your eyes closed to maintain the connection.

"... you haavvvvve.. other questionss... correct?"

Amun is an all-powerful God, yes?

"Yes."

How did we escape him? How did we hide away? Why did he not pluck me from the sky? How did we survive the ire of a creator God?

"Ahk hasss cccertain experiencess... with Gods. He issss ssssmart. He isss untraceable by annnny Gods' mmagggic."

How? You pleaded.

"He hass died annnnd come back. He issss... undead. No longer human. Nnnnot entirrrrely."

You swallowed thick, forcing yourself not to open your eyes from surprise.

And Piye?

"A mmmmagi. Invvvvissssible. Too... absorbed innn the world.. to see," they hummed, glowing eyes still probing your thoughts.

... and me?

There was silence for a moment, and the eyes blinked, but remained within your head.

"You... are not.. hhhhuman," they whispered.

Your eyes flew open.

What?

––––––

If you want to hear the song I wrote about in this story, I actually recorded it and you can find it here.

#ahkmenrah x reader #Ahkmenrah #Night at the Museum #rami malek #rami malek character #ahkmenrah x female reader #ahkmenrah x male reader

[kemeticenterprise]

#Wood earrings #wood african map earrings #wood Africa shaped earrings #woodwork #Kemetic Enterprise #outfit #ethnic outfit #ethnic jewelry #women #for women #ladies attire #ladies jewelry #black ladies fashion #ethnic women #africa american fashion #mexican clothing trend #fashion trends for Mexican women

[autisticchangeling]

I feel like this outfit is probably my gender

Curly turquoise hair, around jaw length

Pleather trench coat

Black sneaker/tennis shoe hybrid things with neon green laces

Pale blue and green plaid "capris" that are really too long to be capris but too short to be pants

Deep space nine T-shirt

And of course my spinner ring, ace ring, Kemetic necklace, and noise cancelling headphones

It's honestly an awful combination and I love it

#all my posts are ok to rb

[hellian-fr]

Here… some of my Kemetic dragons. In order, Anthu, Yinepu, Meskhenet, and Sutekh. Anthu and Yinepu aren’t complete outfit wise BUT I still love them a lot.

#flight rising #ridgeback #pearlcatcher #wildclaw #hellians lair

[fit-black-woke-blog]

Commentary from OP . .🎓@mister_imhotep🎓 .💫Rebranding Africa💫 "And none of them is African... Don't get me wrong, we are not blaming the actors. There are some of the greatest actors in this list. People who portrayed Historical African figures with respect, they did what they could with what they had. We are blaming the system and the industry who are promoting the whitewashing of the African History. Today we know that the people were true Africans. Black Africans. But Hollywood is still pushing with the idea that the builders of the pyramids were not Africans. I remember that the man who made Exodus when told about the fact that the cast was not representative of the historical truth said that people would not go to see a movie with a "Mohamed" as lead actor. What baffled me was that he believed that the Kemites were Arabic people, he did not even imagined them being black Africans. It shows how disconnected many of those people are. And the number of inaccurracies even in the outfits, crowns etc was representative of their lack of knowledge. Now i wonder if some of these people are not just unaware of the truth. I am pretty sure that some people know the truth and try to hide it, but i wonder if many people are not just ignorant due to the fact that we have been trained to believe these lies for so many centuries now. What do you think about it? Do they know the truth and lie on purpose or are they just ignorant and need us to teach them?" . . #blackconsciousness #blackexcellence #afrocentric #blackisbeautiful #blacklivesmatter #consciousness #spirittribe #woke #fitblackwoke #blackwriter #blackchef #blackman #africa #egypt #higherconsciousness #positivevibes #posivity #inspiration #motivation #knowledge #kemet #blackhistory #brainwashing #whitewashing #cinema #holloywood https://www.instagram.com/p/BsQu1fiD9lR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fq9ih5ius7kx

#blackconsciousness #blackexcellence #afrocentric #blackisbeautiful #blacklivesmatter #consciousness #spirittribe #woke #fitblackwoke #blackwriter #blackchef #blackman #africa #egypt #higherconsciousness #positivevibes #posivity #inspiration #motivation #knowledge #kemet #blackhistory #brainwashing #whitewashing #cinema #holloywood

[whocreatetherays]

Fuck le dernier gucci a la mode a bah ouais

#black girl magic #black woman #black #black tumblr #blackart #black girl #red satin #red aesthetic #red #caribean #fire witch #east witch #afro aesthetic #afro witch #afrofuturism #afrofuturista #kemetic modern outfit #witchblr #desert witch #voodoo #voodoo aesthetic

[deitiesofduat]

With Halloween coming up and costumes being sold, the issue of cultural appropriation is once again being brought into the spotlight. I'm curious. What's your stance on cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation? Lots of people love Deities Project. I love this project. But are you concerned that you may receive some backlash or negativity from people for using Egyptian Myth and Culture?

If I’m completely honest, this reads as a fairly loaded question that I’ve never felt comfortable with answering – certainly not with authority on a culture I’m not a part of. I’m a black, Nigerian woman with a large Nigerian family that inform my understanding of my culture, but I’m not Egyptian and I’m certainly not Ancient Egyptian. So while I appreciate your support and understand your curiosity, I hope that you can understand my hesitation with answering this about their mythology and culture; it’s not something I can simply answer “yes” or “no” and not expect having to go into detail to explain why.

That said, I am going to tread very lightly and ask everyone to please bear with me while I tackle this question this one time – under the cut because it got very, very long.

I’m of the firm opinion that there are absolutely ways to appreciate another’s culture without appropriating in, but that it’s always better to research and hear directly from the voices from the culture you’re actually borrowing from. If there’s a large number of people who belong to a marginalized culture, and they tell you that the way you’re wearing or practicing something is appropriative, you would do well to heed that criticism and avoid continuing it. Costumes are a huge culprit around this time of year (and really, year-round) because (1) they often project exaggerated and harmful stereotypes that disrespect the group you’re trying to convey, and (2) it’s often without the group having any say in what’s acceptable, or having their voices being drowned out or mocked by stubborn nay-sayers when they try to speak up.

THAT is why cultural appropriation is harmful – it’s taking advantage of a culture for your own benefit and entertainment while simultaneously disregarding the authority of people who actually belong to it.

On the flip side, say that someone from a marginalized culture invites you to participate in a ceremony, or to wear an outfit that they offer as a gift, or some other type of participation where they’re encourage you to take part?? Then yes, go ahead and take part, there’s no harm in participating if you have their permission – that’s not appropriation, it’s appreciation! If I wanted to invite a friend to a traditional Nigerian wedding or party, I would hope that they were open to the idea of wearing the traditional clothing, and eating the traditional food, and participating in traditional customs, and to not feel that they have to sit out because they aren’t ethnically Nigerian (or specifically Yoruba, in my case). But, that’s me speaking about my culture, so I can speak with some authority there because I belong to that group. I cannot and shouldn’t do the same for groups I don’t belong to.

There’s a lot more nuance to appreciation and appropriation that I haven’t touched but that I’m not ready to go into, so let’s return to Ancient Egypt – with an emphasis on “ancient”. My understanding is that the Ancient Egyptian religion is more complex because, while there is a modern Egypt that clearly has their own culture and traditions, their ancient culture and religion is consider more historical record than a modern practice. *BUT!!! I SAY THIS WITH A GIANT ASTERISK* because I know full well that there is a thriving, modern Kemetic community and other polytheists groups that include people who practice with the ancient Egyptian Gods. And while I’m aware that several people from those communities follow and support DEITIES Project and I’m blessed by the support I’ve received, I don’t take it as a blanket approval of my work; I just take it to mean that most of my followers enjoy the project and I’m doing an alright job with it so far.

With all that said, the general consensus that I’ve gathered from my research and others’ commentary, is that (1) modern Egyptians living today don’t seem to mind that people from other groups are fascinated with their ancient culture, and (2) the Kemetic community is inclusive and diverse, and generally won’t gate-keep others from either becoming a part of said community, or appreciating Ancient Egyptian and using its culture and gods in fan media. In fact, I think both groups seem to encourage others to appreciate and celebrate Ancient Egypt, and I’ve yet to see any inkling or subset of people who say that it’s harmful (unless I missed anything, which would be my bad entirely).

The main concerns I seem to notice and that I agree are valid, is when Egyptian artifacts have literally taken from their country and displayed in foreign museums without their permission or rightful ownership (which is, it’s own can of worms); when media promotes incorrect understandings about Ancient Egypt that other them (EX: that awful and lowkey racist theory that the pyramids were built by aliens cuz “”“no way Egyptians were advanced enough to build these large structures themselves!!1!”“”); and when media shines the ancient culture and pantheon in a negative light (like, y'know, repeatedly casting Anubis and even Set as one-dimensional villains who are somehow always bent on ruling the world every time they’re resurrected, but I digress).

Anyway… I’m still not comfortable with speaking about this with authority; it is a multi-faceted issue and there there is a chance I’ve missed something or gotten some details incorrect just by trying to sum it up, so I do truly apologize to anyone if I misspoke in my answer. If someone with better authority than me is willing to, feel free to offer an alternative take or correct anything I got wrong. I also encourage anyone who’s still curious to read THIS commentary on modern Egyptian views on appropriation, scan thru my #culture tag with other relevant commentary on the matter, and also research kemeticism as a practice.

But honestly, I wouldn’t take my commentary on cultural appropriation/appreciation and Ancient Egypt as a standard to adhere to. I hope that it helps, but I instead I ask that you just take it as another perspective and perhaps use it and others’ to reflect on your own understanding.

In the meantime, I’ll continue doing my best to research and present this project in a way that respectfully displays the Ancient Egyptian culture and pantheon, with the current understanding that it’s acceptable and encouraged for anyone participate in it for the above reasons. While my interpretation may not be perfect or to everyone’s liking, I’m not anticipating serious backlash, but I do hope that others can see where my effort is coming from and I will do what i need to address any issues as the come up.

#// Also while I'm open to added discussion about the post; I'm not open to more follow-up or similarly loaded questions on this matter #// I tried my best with this answer because cultural appropriation is an important matter to consider / not something that should be overloo #// *overlooked; but it is still uncomfortable to act like I'm the best authority; I used my culture as an anecdote but that's all that it is #// So if I receive similar questions like this and I don't feel comfortable with them I may respectfully decline to answer #// Thank you for understanding and hope my answer here helps #DEITIES Project #general asks #DEITIES asks