The Origins & Afterlives of Kush

The second Kingdom of Kush (c. 850 BCE-350 CE) was an early example of an African state, with a lasting legacy in state formation, religion, ideology, political economy, identity, and intercultural interaction. It has also played an important and controversial role in Black studies, Afrocentrism, and the racial discourse surrounding Egypt and Africa. The Origins and Afterlives of Kush conference, held at UCSB in 2019, featured daily discussion sessions and twenty-one presentations, ten of which are published in this special volume of the Journal of Ancient Egyptian Interconnections.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: The Egyptian Expedition

The second Kingdom of Kush, spanning approximately from 850 BCE to 350 CE, has been a subject of extensive discussion and debate throughout history. The kingdom that emerged at Napata endured for over a thousand years, evolving and exerting influence on the subsequent polities that emerged after its disintegration around 350 CE. One of the enduring legacies of this kingdom is its status as an early exemplar of an African state, providing a platform for exploring broader theoretical questions related to state formation, religion, ideology, political economy, identity, and intercultural interaction. Simultaneously, the Kingdom of Kush has played a significant and contentious role in the development of Black studies, the discourse of Afrocentrism, and the examination of racial disparities in the discourse surrounding Egypt and Africa, both in their historical and contemporary manifestations.

The Origins and Afterlives of Kush conference, held at the University of California, Santa Barbara, from July 25 to 27, 2019, was organized by Stuart Tyson Smith with the support of Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei and sponsored by the UCSB Department of Anthropology. The conference featured daily discussion sessions and twenty-one presentations, ten of which are published in this special volume of the Journal of Ancient Egyptian Interconnections.

The Kingdom of Kush emerged in the Nile Valley during the late Bronze Age, around 850 BCE. It was initially a small state centered in Napata, located in present-day Sudan. Over time, the kingdom expanded its territory and influence, becoming a major power in the region. The Kingdom of Kush was known for its impressive architectural achievements, including the construction of pyramids and temples. It was also a center of learning and culture, with a developed system of writing and a rich literary tradition.

One of the most significant legacies of the Kingdom of Kush is its contribution to the development of African states. It was one of the earliest African kingdoms to establish a centralized government, with a strong bureaucracy and a system of taxation. The kingdom also developed a complex legal system and a system of justice that was based on traditional African customs and traditions. This early example of state formation and governance laid the foundation for many other African kingdoms and empires that followed.

The Kingdom of Kush also played a significant role in the development of African religion and ideology. The kingdom was known for its polytheistic religion, which was influenced by the ancient Egyptian religion. The kingdom's rulers were believed to be intermediaries between the gods and the people, and they were responsible for maintaining the balance between the two worlds. The kingdom's religious practices and beliefs continued to influence African religious traditions for centuries to come.

In addition to its political and religious significance, the Kingdom of Kush also had a significant impact on the development of African culture and society. The kingdom was known for its artistic and cultural achievements, including the production of beautiful textiles, sculptures, and paintings. The kingdom's people were also known for their skill in agriculture and their ability to develop complex irrigation systems to support their crops.

Despite its many achievements, the Kingdom of Kush faced challenges and decline in the fourth century CE. It was eventually conquered by the Roman Empire, and its territory was incorporated into the Roman province of Egypt. However, the legacy of the Kingdom of Kush continued to be celebrated and remembered by African communities for centuries to come.

The conference "The Origins and Afterlives of Kush" aimed to explore the rich history and legacy of the Kingdom of Kush. The conference brought together scholars from various fields, including history, archaeology, anthropology, and literature, to discuss the kingdom's origins, development, and impact on African and global history.

The conference featured a wide range of presentations and discussions, covering topics such as the political and social structure of the Kingdom of Kush, its religious practices and beliefs, its artistic and cultural achievements, its interactions with other African kingdoms and empires, and its legacy in contemporary African culture and society.

One of the key themes of the conference was the role of the Kingdom of Kush in the development of Black studies and Afrocentrism. The kingdom's contribution to African religion, ideology, and culture has been a subject of intense debate and discussion in recent years, with some scholars arguing that the kingdom should be recognized as an important precursor to the development of African civilizations. Others have argued that the kingdom's legacy is more complex and nuanced, and that it should be considered in the context of broader African and global history.

Another important theme of the conference was the examination of the asymmetries in the racial discourse surrounding Egypt and Africa. The Kingdom of Kush was located in the Nile Valley, which was a region that was heavily influenced by Egyptian culture and civilization. However, the kingdom's legacy has often been overshadowed by the dominant narrative of Egyptian history and culture, which has often portrayed Africa as a backward and inferior region. The conference aimed to challenge this narrative and to explore the ways in which the Kingdom of Kush and other African kingdoms and empires have contributed to the development of African and global history.

The conference also featured presentations on the archaeological and historical research that has been conducted on the Kingdom of Kush in recent years. These presentations provided a detailed account of the kingdom's political and social structure, its religious practices and beliefs, its artistic and cultural achievements, and its interactions with other African kingdoms and empires. The presentations also highlighted the challenges and limitations of conducting research on the kingdom, including the lack of reliable historical sources and the challenges of accessing and studying archaeological sites in Sudan.

In conclusion, the conference "The Origins and Afterlives of Kush" was a successful event that brought together scholars from various fields to explore the rich history and legacy of the Kingdom of Kush. The conference provided a platform for discussing the kingdom's political, social, religious, artistic, and cultural achievements, as well as its interactions with other African kingdoms and empires. The conference also challenged the dominant narrative of Egyptian history and culture and explored the ways in which the Kingdom of Kush and other African kingdoms and empires have contributed to the development of African and global history. The conference's findings and discussions will have a significant impact on our understanding of African and global history and will continue to be a subject of debate and discussion in the years to come.

Weight: 679g
Dimension: 280 x 216 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780964995864