About this video

• Video Title: BBC Lost Kingdoms Of Africa: Nubia
• Channel: Education for Life Academy
• Speakers: Gus Casely Hayford
• Duration: 00:58:37

Overview

This documentary explores the lost kingdom of Nubia, a civilization in Africa that predates ancient Egypt. Host Gus Casely Hayford journeys through Sudan to uncover the history, culture, and achievements of the Nubian people, challenging the notion that they were merely a primitive outpost or subservient to their northern neighbors.

Key takeaways

• Ancient Origins: Nubia, located in what is now Sudan, was home to a civilization with a history stretching back thousands of years, predating even ancient Egypt.
• Early Innovations: Evidence suggests early Nubian culture included sophisticated musical instruments like rock gongs (dating back to 5000 BC) and advanced pottery-making techniques.
• Environmental Influence: The Nubian civilization was significantly shaped by its environment, initially thriving in a green Sahara before climate change led to desertification, forcing societal shifts.
• The Kingdom of Kush: Nubia was known to the Egyptians as Kush and developed its own impressive cities, such as Kerma, characterized by monumental architecture like the "deffufa" (a large mud-brick structure).
• Rivalry and Conquest: The Nubians were not subservient; they developed into a powerful kingdom that rivaled Egypt, even conquering it at one point and ruling as pharaohs (the "Black Pharaohs").
• Cultural Continuity: Despite Egyptian and Roman portrayals, Nubia maintained a distinct African culture, evident in its art, religious practices, and enduring traditions like cattle herding and wrestling.
• Legacy and Decline: While the Nubian kingdom eventually declined due to climate change and shifting trade routes, its legacy is preserved in its archaeological remains and its influence on later African cultures.

The Nubians eventually gained power over the Egyptians as demonstrated by the discovery of a temple built by a Nubian ruler named Tahaka around 700 BC. This temple contained depictions showing Tahaka not only as a ruler of Nubia but also as a pharaoh of Egypt. Hieroglyphs indicated that he was part of a dynasty of Nubian pharaohs who ruled the entire Nile Valley, effectively turning the conquered into the conquerors. This is further supported by the portrayal of Tahaka with symbols of kingship for both Nubia and Egypt, and the fact that many of these statues had their heads deliberately removed, suggesting a defiant act by later Egyptians.