NUBIAN VILLAGE
Early Saturday morning we boarded a river taxi for a trip upriver to visit a Nubian Village.
The size of our group required two river boats.
We spotted camels as we approached the Nubian Village.
The Nubians migrated from Sudan to southern Egypt about 8000 years ago. They brought with them their own culture and language.
The Colorful Nubian Homes
We arrived at the Nubian Village and disembarked for a tour of a Nubian home and school.
A family opened their home to us and served our group tea.
This mural was in the courtyard of the home.
The entire home was extremely colorful.
The family raises crocodiles, which were once common on the Nile, but are now rarely seen.
This little crock is about 18 months old.
Unusual artwork was also for sale.
The camel is still very much a part of the daily life of the Nubians.
The shops were very colorful.
We visited a Nubian school.
Central courtyard of the school.
The children were learning their ABC's and songs in English.
Philae Temple
After our visit to the Nubian Village, our bus picked us up to transport us to motor boats in order to return to Philae Temple for our daytime tour. The Temple, which we previously visited at night, is on an island between the Low Dam and the High Dam. This UNESCO site was moved from its original location on Philae Island to its new location on Agilkia Island, after the flooding of Lake Nasser. As the waters of Lake Nasser rose, the Temple was disassembled and relocated here. It took UNESCO nine years to complete the relocation.
This temple was built to honor the goddess Isis.
The Temple was built between 380-362 BC.
Temple Approach and Philae Columns
Motorboats provided ferry service to and from the Temple island (Agilkia).
SANDALLIA PAPYRUS INSTITUTE
We made a stop at the Papyrus Institute to learn how the delicate paper was made from the Papyrus plant.
Our guide showed how papyrus paper is still being made by hand today.
Papyrus Alphabet/Hieroglyphic Translation Chart
Beautiful Papyrus Artwork for Sale at the Institute
KOM OMBO TEMPLE
The Viking RA casts off from Aswan for Kom Ombo Temple at 1:30 pm. The Viking Ra arrived at the Kom Ombo Temple at 4:30. We docked at the base of the temple.
The Kom Ombo Temple is dedicated to the two gods, Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility and creator of the world, and Horus, falcon god of the sky. The very unique layout combines two temples in one with each side having its own gateways and chapels.
Preserved papyrus shaped column and ceiling at Kom Ombo temple.
Original colors can still be seen.
Depictions of offerings being made to god Sobek and goddess Hathor.
Medical instruments image at the Temple of Kom Ombo, showing scalpels, forceps, scissors, plus prescriptions and two goddesses sitting on birthing chairs.
Ancient Artesian Well
Sobek’s chief sanctuary was at Kom Ombo, where there were once huge numbers of crocodiles. Until recent times the Egyptian Nile was infested with these ferocious animals, who would lay on the riverbank and devour animals and humans alike. So it is not surprising that the local inhabitants went in fear. Captive crocodiles were kept within the temple and many mummified crocodiles have been found in cemeteries, some of which can be seen in the Kom Ombo Museum today.
A few of the three hundred crocodile mummies discovered in the vicinity are displayed in The Crocodile Museum.
The dining room was set as we walked back from the Temple to the Viking Ra in time for dinner.
The Viking RA casts off from Kom Ombo Temple for Edfu at 6:00 pm.
2 comments:
Cute alligator. He looks like he would be happy to take a finger off you.
I have heard of papyrus paper. I always enjoy these kinds of demonstrations. Did you buy any of the artwork?
No, we didn't buy any. With our fifth wheel, no where to hang one.
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