Translator: Hoda Nada Reviewer: akram Abu-Farea
She isn’t the first woman to rule Egypt,
Nor did she steal the throne from her nephew.
She was not strong and mannish, nor passive and weak.
She was none of those things.
Do you know who I am talking about?
I’m talking about Hatshepsut.
Maybe what I said at the beginning made it unclear whether it was her or not.
That is because she is known for all of that.
But none of it is true.
It makes no sense to label every successful woman
As strong, mannish and took what is not rightfully hers.
Actually, in my opinion, as a female Egyptologist,
I can tell you that Hatshepsut, with her choices and achievements,
And despite all the misconceptions about her,
Was able to be an influencer for many generations after her.
She was the daughter of a king; a princess unlike any princess.
She was the last descendant of the Ahmos Dynasty.
Hence, she was responsible for protecting the family and the throne.
After her father’s death, she had to marry her half-brother
To keep the throne.
That too, after her husband’s death,
Led her to appoint his son, Thutmose III, as crown prince and herself as guardian.
With that, she followed all the women that ruled Egypt before her,
As she was not the first woman to rule Egypt.
Many women had governed the country, though indirectly.
They were custodians of the throne until the heir came of age.
But there was something that set Hatshepsut apart:
Hatshepsut continued.
After seven years of ruling alongside Thutmose III,
She decided to appoint herself as King of Upper and Lower Egypt.
Ruler of Egypt from North to South.
That is probably what lead people to label her as strong and mannish.
However, that is not true.
She did not have to wait seven years to make that move;
She was already in control of everything.
Additionally, she was keen on reminding people
That Thutmose III was the heir, and that he was still there.
She involved him in the mining missions in Sinai,
And the military campaigns in Nuba.
She was always keen on having his picture beside hers
When they paid tribute to the gods,
Whether be it in her temple at Deir el-Bahari,
Or at the Karnak Temple.
She was a mother to him, despite not having birthed him.
Maybe many people also called her strong and mannish,
Because she would depict herself as a man.
But, I think that many women watching this video can relate to her.
Often, we are forced to change our looks to fit into society’s expectations.
That is what Hatshepsut did.
Just as she was unconventional in the way she depicted herself,
She was also unconventional with the policies she implemented.
Unlike the rulers that came before her,
Her focus was more centered on the people.
All of her decisions and the temples she built
Were part of a bigger program and network
To connect temples for religious festivals
That was a very important move.
Especially since religious festivals were starting to become more formal.
They also began to have fixed annual dates during her reign,
And they were the only chance for people to get closer to the king and the gods.
That’s what Hatshepsut did.
She also included government officials, the same way she did with the public.
During that time, officials of different levels
Were able to include their statues in the parades of those festivals
So that when their children and grandchildren may remember them,
Their legacy would remain for years to come.
She also focused on government officials, the same way she did with the people.
She was focused on their talents and achievements,
Not on their backgrounds or wealth.
That was due to many officials hailing from simple families,
Or from districts.
However, they were able to get promoted and earn titles and privileges
To which no one had preceded them.
Also, she was interested in statesmen regardless of their cultural background.
The Nubian princes were not mere followers
That paid tributes and gifts during specific times each year.
No, as they held very important positions, and were very close to the queen.
Not because she was weak, or to gain their favour;
She had already caused some skirmishes with Nuba,
But decided to focus less on military expansions,
And more on the people.
With that, she set a trend which was adopted by many kings after her,
Most famous of whom was Amenhotep III,
Who is considered to have built the most temples during that time,
And was concerned with the people too.
Yet no one labels Amenhotep as weak or passive
Because he did not start wars.
On the other hand, Hatshepsut got her fair share of rumours.
Starting from being weak and negative,
To her relationship
With the most prominent government official: Senenmut.
What confirms that to people now,
Is how her statues and name were erased after her death.
However, and even though her statues and name are already gone,
Her legacy remains.
Because her impact remained.
All the kings that came after her, started with and built on what she left,
Whether be it the Karnak Temple, or the mortuary temples in the west bank.
This would not have happened had she not perserved.
She had a chance like all the queens that preceded her,
But she seized the opportunity.
She was confident, and aware of her worth,
And she got a chance
So, she was able to create equal opportunities for many.
That is feminism, in my opinion.
Feminism is not a fight between men and women.
Feminism is a call for equal opportunities regardless of gender.
Regardless of age, social status, or cultural background.
In my opinion, Hatshepsut is the mother of feminism,
Because she believed in that.
She created a chance for herself, paving the way for others as well.
You too can persevere and create a chance for yourself.
If you don’t have the opportunity, create it for yourself.
Be like Hatshepsut.
Trust your femininity and its wonders.