THE GLOBAL AFRICAN COMMUNITY
H I S T O R Y N O T E S
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THE DANCERS OF GOD
THE GLOBAL AFRICAN COMMUNITY
H I S T O R Y N O T E S
Queen holding prince Pepi IITHE DANCERS OF GOD
"To the ancient Egyptians, the pygmies were beings of wonder and respect, living somewhere beyond the rim of the southern horizon."
--Basil DavidsonTHE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF HARKHUF
The Kamite official Harkhuf served kings Merenre and Pepi II during Dynasty VI (ca. 2250 B.C.E.). In this capacity he led four missions to the south, that is, Inner Africa. During one of these missions Harkhuf contacted the boy-king Neferkare Pepi II that he was bringing back for the king's pleasure a Diminutive Africoid (a so-called "Pygmy") dancer. These people were highly esteemed in ancient Kmt and were regarded as "dancers of God." Even before Harkhuf, during Dynasty V, a Diminutive Africoid man was brought to the court of King Isesi.
In a letter to Harkhuf, Pepi II expresses his great excitement:
"Come north to the residence at once! Hurry and bring with you this pygmy whom you brought from the land of the horizon-dwellers live, hale, and healthy, for the dances of the god, to gladden the heart, to delight the heart of king Neferkare who lives forever! When he goes down with you into the ship, get worthy men to be around him on deck, lest he fall into the water! When he lies down at night, get worthy (20) men to lie around him in his tent. Inspect ten times at night! My majesty desires to see this pygmy more than the gifts of the mine-land and of Punt!
When you arrive at the residence and this pygmy is with you live, hale, and healthy, my majesty will do great things for you, more than was done for the god's seal-bearer Bawerded in the time of King Isesi, in accordance with my majesty's wish to see this pygmy."
SOURCES:
Ancient Egyptian Literature: A Book of Readings, by Miriam Lichtheim
African Kingdoms, by Basil Davidson
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Revised: October 15, 2000.
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