Egyptian civilization could not have developed without the Nile River, as it is the only significant source of water in this desert region. Its other importance was the fact that it is their gateway to the unknown world. The Nile flows from south to north, to its delta on the Mediterranean sea. The Nile flows through 10 countries: Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Egypt. It is 6650 km (4130 miles) in length; 2.8 kms in width (about 2 miles) and about 6000 feet deep (about a mile). Its primary tributary called the White Nile has its source in either Rwanda or Burundi and the secondary path, called the Blue Nile, starts at Lake Tana, Ethiopia, its mouth is the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile’s two major tributaries, the White Nile and the Blue Nile, meet at Khartoum, Sudan.
There is an expression in this world, that if you drink water from the Nile, you will come back to it. Having been in this region, and this country several times, I must have drank enough water from the Nile that's why I keep coming back to it. Watching its beauty from my hotel room, everyday, wondering about its depth, admiring its history, and enjoying the sun reflect is brightness on its surface - is simply awesome. Along the corniche, which is how they describe any area on the Nile delta, one can enjoy the breeze, perhaps on a feluca (boat ride), or by just being close enough to the river banks. Since I arrived here in late June, I have seen the sun set almost everyday, at around 6:45 p.m. or thereabouts. On a clear day, from my hotel balcony, I can even see the pyramids against the sun's backdrop. What a sight!
Egypt’s population has depended on the Nile for thousands of years. Most of Egypt’s population and settlements lie along the banks of the Nile. The Ancient Egyptians called the Nile, the Great River, the longest river in the world, its drainage basin covering about one tenth of all of Africa.
I quote an interesting write up in my hotel newsletter......"Around this time of the year, about mid August, the so called "flooding of the Nile" is celebrated as an important natural cycle in Egypt since Ancient times. It is known as Wafaa El-Nil. Ancient Egyptians believed that the Nile flooded every year because of Isis's tears of sorrow for her dead husband, Osiris. It would flood each year, bringing silt-laden waters; when the waters receded, the silt would stay behind, fertilizing the land, the silt would be helpful for growing the crops. A small flood or no flood at all would mean famine. There was also an Egyptian custom of offering a virgin as a sacrifice to the river Nile every year to instigate a flood. But this has long been considered a historical error, according to Egyptology researcher Bassam El Shamma. According to some versions of history, this Egyptian custom was practiced until the Islamic conquest of Egypt, when Caliph Omar Ibn El Khattab banned the pagan ritual." (Source: Sofitel Luxury Hotels, Monthly Newsletter)
Having travelled to many countries in the world, a unique privilege of having served the United Nations Population Fund for almost two decades, I have seen many many sunsets. I love sunsets, including the Philippines sunset at Manila Bay. (I love sunrise too, but this time, I have decided to focus on the soft, soothing, romantic sight of the sunset). What makes the sunset by the Nile river a unique sight is the way it complements ancient history and natural beauty.
Seeing these priceless beauties everyday, and feeling its tranquility, one momentarily forgets the multiple crisis the world is experiencing right now.
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