#nile river explorers

[pharaohamenemhatiii]

2nd joint for ones Solar rising *ICE COLD ZEL FREESTYLE playing in the background*

[savvytravelers]

Gala Dinner Experience

Indulge in a Gala Dinner Experience with Savvy Travelers, savoring exquisite cuisine and entertainment!

[pebblegalaxy]

Journey Through Egypt: Exploring Cairo, Alexandria, and Beyond #writeapageaday @Blogchatter

Journey Through Egypt: Exploring Cairo, Alexandria, and Beyond #writeapageaday @Blogchatter #EgyptTravel #CairoAdventures #AlexandriaExploration #DesertSafari #HistoricalLandmarks #CulturalHeritage #AdventureTravel #TravelMemoir #AncientWonders #NileRiver

Exploring the Wonders of Egypt: A Personal Journey through Cairo, Alexandria, and Beyond Embarking on a journey to Egypt is like stepping into a living history book, where the tales of ancient civilizations come to life amidst the bustling streets and majestic monuments. As an avid traveler and lover of history, my most cherished holiday was undoubtedly my adventure through Cairo, Alexandria,…

[brcreative061]

Nile River & Sahara Dessert

“Exploring the Enchanting Trio: Nile River, Sahara Desert, and Giza Pyramid” Nile River: Flowing like the lifeblood of Egypt, the Nile River has been the cradle of civilization for millennia. Stretching over 4,000 miles, the Nile is the longest river in Africa and has played a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of the region. Its annual flooding, a result of the monsoon rains in the Ethiopian…

[o0o-liwy-o0o]

Kom Ombo #luxor #egypt #nile #river #nightphotography #nikon #socnikon #d850 #24mm #nikkor #lens #igers #igerscatalunya #igerseurope #picoftheday #photooftheday #explore #globetrotter #architecture #archeology #instapic #instagood #ancient #ptolomaic (at Kom Ombo Temple) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpVosXusgsz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[mapsontheweb]

French explorations in Africa in the 19th century

« Nouvel atlas de l'histoire de France », Autrement, 2016

by cartesdhistoire

In the 19th century, a vast movement of exploration of lands unknown to Europeans developed, supported by scientific institutions. The figure of the explorer became familiar to the public, and their stories contributed to the creation of a specific imagination, filled with exoticism and adventure. Perhaps the most evocative name is that of René Caillie, the first Westerner to reach Timbuktu. Another remarkable figure is Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, a French naval officer born in Italy who explored the Congo (1874-1882).

From the 1880s to the 1890s, European expansion accelerated from sometimes ancient coastal footholds, such as French and British forts in West Africa or Portuguese ones in Angola. The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) set the rules, enforcing effective occupation of land to colonize it. It also guaranteed freedom of movement and trade on major rivers (Niger, Congo). The drawing of colonial boundaries, often complex to define on the ground in densely populated areas, and the colored plaques on the maps should not mask the fact that the appropriation of the territory was progressive and often very loose.

During the conquest, the military consisted of the powers in place (sometimes themselves of European origin, as in the Boer republics of Orange and Transvaal, which eventually became British in 1902). Treaties to share the territories multiplied, which did not avoid crises like the one at Fashoda in 1898, where the French and British clashed for control of the Upper Nile—and more broadly for the completion of their expansion projects: the Dakar-Djibouti link for the French, and the Cairo-to-Cape Town axis for the British. This led to the extension of British influence over the entire Nile basin.

[talonabraxas]

The Nile

The Nile River and the Milky Way The Nile River, winding through the ancient lands of Egypt, has long held a profound spiritual significance to those who have dwelled along its banks. Similarly, the galaxy-spanning Milky Way has captivated humanity’s curiosity and imagination for centuries.

1. The Flow of Life: The Nile River, often referred to as the lifeblood of Egypt, has symbolized the flow of life itself in many spiritual traditions. Just as the river sustains and nourishes the land, it embodies the cycle of birth, growth, and rejuvenation. Similarly, the Milky Way, with its vast expanse of stars, represents the cosmic energy that pulses through the universe and resonates with the ebb and flow of life.

2. Celestial Alignment: Both the Nile River and the Milky Way have been markers for celestial alignment in various spiritual beliefs. The annual flooding of the Nile, synchronized with the rising of the star Sirius, was seen as a divine synchronization, signaling a time of renewal and abundance. In a similar vein, the alignment of stars along the Milky Way has guided celestial navigation and marked significant cosmic events, fostering a connection between the earthly and celestial realms.

3. Reflection and Contemplation: The serenity and tranquility evoked by the Nile River and the Milky Way have provided seekers of spirituality and wisdom with spaces for reflection and contemplation. Egyptians, for instance, believed that the calm waters of the Nile held divine messages and wisdom. The mesmerizing beauty of the Milky Way, stretching across the night sky, has inspired awe and stimulated introspection in cultures around the world, inviting individuals to connect with the vastness of the cosmos and their place within it.

4. Symbolism of Union: In various spiritual contexts, both the Nile River and the Milky Way embody the concept of union or the merging of opposites. The Nile, with its dual nature of both calmness and flood, represents the harmony between opposing forces. Likewise, the Milky Way, often depicted as a bridge or path, symbolizes the unity of the spiritual and physical realms, inviting individuals to merge their earthly and cosmic selves.

Conclusion: The Nile River and the Milky Way, from a spiritual perspective, hold profound meaning and connection to the human experience. Their presence in mythology, rituals, and contemplative practices highlights their timeless significance and the deep resonance they hold within the human spirit. Perhaps, in exploring these natural wonders, we can find inspiration, guidance, and a deeper understanding of our place in the grand tapestry of existence.

[ausetkmt]

ANCIENT AFRICA & THE KINGDOM OF KUSH

Ancient African Kingdoms: A Captivating Guide to Civilizations of Ancient Africa Such as the Land of Punt, Carthage, the Kingdom of Aksum, the Mali Empire, and the Kingdom of Kush

CLICK THE TITLE TO DOWNLOAD FOR FREE

ANCIENT AFRICAN KINGDOMS & THE KINGDOM OF KUSH

CLICK THE TITLE TO DOWNLOAD FOR FREE

Ancient Africa: A Captivating Guide to Ancient African Civilizations, Such as the Kingdom of Kush, the Land of Punt, Carthage, the Kingdom of Aksum, and the Mali Empire with Its Timbuktu

The Kingdom of Kush: A Captivating Guide to an Ancient African Kingdom in Nubia That Once Ruled Egypt

Africa is the continent where the first humans were born. They explored the vast land and produced the first tools. And although we migrated from that continent, we never completely abandoned it. From the beginning of time, humans lived and worked in Africa, leaving evidence of their existence in the sands of the Sahara Desert and the valleys of the great rivers such as the Nile and the Niger.

Some of the earliest great civilizations were born there, and they give us an insight into the smaller kingdoms of ancient Africa.

Some of the topics covered in part one of this book include:

The Kingdom of Kush

The Land of Punt

Carthage

The Kingdom of Aksum

The Ghana Empire

The Mali Empire

And much, much more!

Some of the topics covered in part two of this Book include:

Nubia and the emergence of the Kingdom of Kush

From Alara to the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty

The rulers of the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty

Relations between Kush and Egypt continue

Kush between the sixth and third centuries

The Meroitic Dynasty

The last centuries of the Kingdom of Kush

The society of Kush

And much, much more!

Ancient African Kingdoms: A Captivating Guide to Civilizations of Ancient Africa Such as the Land of Punt, Carthage, the Kingdom of Aksum, the Mali Empire, and the Kingdom of Kush

CLICK THE TITLE TO DOWNLOAD FOR FREE

This book is a FREE Download from THE BLACK TRUEBRARY

[blueiscoool]

Over 2,000 Ram Skulls Discovered in Egypt's Temple of Ramses II

Cairo — Archaeologists have announced the discovery of more than 2,000 rams' heads at the temple of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II — a find that the man in charge of the dig said surprised even veteran Egyptologists and showed the endurance of Ramses' impact, as the skulls were left there a millennium after the pharaoh's rule.

A team of archaeologists with New York University's Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW) made the discovery in the city of Abydos, one of the oldest cities and richest archaeological sites in Egypt. It's located about seven miles west of the Nile River in Upper Egypt, some 270 miles south of Cairo.

The ram skulls were found stacked in the northern precinct of the temple, said Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which announced the discovery on Saturday.

"We came across some random pieces of skulls first," Dr. Sameh Iskander, head of the ISAW mission, told CBS News. "We didn't know what they were, but as we continued our excavation and exploration, all of sudden we found a whole area filled with ram skulls."

"These are obviously offerings that were made to the temple of Ramses during the Ptolomaic period, which shows even 1,000 years after Ramses II, that he was still revered." Ramses II ruled over ancient Egypt for about 60 years before his death in 1213 BC.

Iskander explained that some of the ram heads were still mummified, while "others could have been mummified but the wrappings or the covers of mummifications were not there anymore."

The skulls were found among other objects, from papyrus to leather artifacts and statues, about six feet under the contemporary surface of the desert in what had been a storeroom of the ancient temple.

The large number of skulls found in the same place was "surprising even for Egyptologists," Iskander said.

"We are sure they were all dumped at the same time, so this was not an accumulation of skulls that were brought in over the years, but they came from somewhere else and were dumped into this magazine at some point for some reason which we don't know yet," he told CBS News. "It is significant because this place where they ended up is not just any place in the temple, so they were brought there for a reason. They were not just dumped in the desert but were inside this revered domain of the temple."

The archeologists also unearthed a large structure made of mudbricks with walls about 16 feet thick dating back about 4,200 years, to ancient Egypt's Sixth Dynasty.

"It is a major structure that will change our concept of the landscape of Abydos. This wall was built for something, it was at least 30 feet high." Iskander said. "We don't know exactly what this wall is. It's possible that this was a wall of the antient Abydos, which was never found. Could it be something else? Maybe, that's what we are working on now."

The mission also found other mummified animal remains, including dogs, goats, cows and gazelles.

Beside the massive structure, one very small object also captured Iskandar's attention.

"We also found a small bronze bell in excellent condition with the clapper, so we can hear the same sound of the ancient time. I was very happy to find it," he said. "It was probably used to mark a herd."

The head of the American mission, whose team has worked at the Abydos site since 2008, spoke to CBS News after traveling back to New York. He said a lot of research was still needed to find explanations for the latest discoveries.

"I hate to keep saying 'we don't know,' but this is the nature of archaeology. We keep working on findings that might lead to something, or not," he said, adding that he and his team may even need to "leave it to the next generation — they may have a better idea or other discoveries."

"Every year we have lots of finds and we come back very happy with the new finds, but we also come back with a huge sack full of questions," he said.

By Ahmed Shawkat.

[ancientstuff]

It's impossible to overstate the importance of the Nile for ancient and modern Egypt. It's interesting to learn how it has shifted over time, and not just in the Delta.

[the-chronicle-of-holy-days]

Day 2

Liber LXV Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente

IV

O crystal heart! I the Serpent clasp Thee; I drive home mine head into the central core of Thee, O God my beloved.

Even as on the resounding wind-swept heights of Mitylene some god-like woman casts aside the lyre, and with her locks aflame as an aureole, plunges into the wet heart of the creation, so I, O Lord my God!

There is a beauty unspeakable in this heart of corruption, where the flowers are aflame.

Ah me! but the thirst of Thy joy parches up this throat, so that I cannot sing.

I will make me a little boat of my tongue, and explore the unknown rivers. It may be that the everlasting salt may turn to sweetness, and that my life may be no longer athirst.

O ye that drink of the brine of your desire, ye are nigh to madness! Your torture increaseth as ye drink, yet still ye drink. Come up through the creeks to the fresh water; I shall be waiting for you with my kisses.

As the bezoar-stone that is found in the belly of the cow, so is my lover among lovers.

O honey boy! Bring me Thy cool limbs hither! Let us sit awhile in the orchard, until the sun go down! Let us feast on the cool grass! Bring wine, ye slaves, that the cheeks of my boy may flush red.

In the garden of immortal kisses, O thou brilliant One, shine forth! Make Thy mouth an opium-poppy, that one kiss is the key to the infinite sleep and lucid, the sleep of Shi-loh-am.

In my sleep I beheld the Universe like a clear crystal without one speck.

There are purse-proud penniless ones that stand at the door of the tavern and prate of their feats of wine-bibbing.

There are purse-proud penniless ones that stand at the door of the tavern and revile the guests.

The guests dally upon couches of mother-of-pearl in the garden; the noise of the foolish men is hidden from them.

Only the inn-keeper feareth lest the favour of the king be withdrawn from him.

Thus spake the Magister V.V.V.V.V. unto Adonai his God, as they played together in the starlight over against the deep black pool that is in the Holy Place of the Holy House beneath the Altar of the Holiest One.

But Adonai laughed, and played more languidly.

Then the scribe took note, and was glad. But Adonai had no fear of the Magician and his play.

For it was Adonai who had taught all his tricks to the Magician.

And the Magister entered into the play of the Magician. When the Magician laughed he laughed; all as a man should do.

And Adonai said: Thou art enmeshed in the web of the Magician. This He said subtly, to try him.

But the Magister gave the sign of the Magistry, and laughed back on Him: O Lord, O beloved, did these fingers relax on Thy curls, or these eyes turn away from Thine eye?

And Adonai delighted in him exceedingly.

Yea, O my master, thou art the beloved of the Beloved One; the Bennu Bird is set up in Philæ not in vain.

I who was the priestess of Ahathoor rejoice in your love. Arise, O Nile-God, and devour the holy place of the Cow of Heaven! Let the milk of the stars be drunk up by Sebek the dweller of Nile!

Arise, O serpent Apep, Thou art Adonai the beloved one! Thou art my darling and my lord, and Thy poison is sweeter than the kisses of Isis the mother of the Gods!

For Thou art He! Yea, Thou shalt swallow up Asi and Asar, and the children of Ptah. Thou shalt pour forth a flood of poison to destroy the works of the Magician. Only the Destroyer shall devour Thee; Thou shalt blacken his throat, wherein his spirit abideth. Ah, serpent Apep, but I love Thee!

My God! Let Thy secret fang pierce to the marrow of the little secret bone that I have kept against the Day of Vengeance of Hoor-Ra. Let Kheph-Ra sound his sharded drone! let the jackals of Day and Night howl in the wilderness of Time! let the Towers of the Universe totter, and the guardians hasten away! For my Lord hath revealed Himself as a mighty serpent, and my heart is the blood of His body.

I am like a love-sick courtesan of Corinth. I have toyed with kings and captains, and made them my slaves. To-day I am the slave of the little asp of death; and who shall loosen our love?

Weary, weary! saith the scribe, who shall lead me to the sight of the Rapture of my master?

The body is weary and the soul is sore weary and sleep weighs down their eyelids; yet ever abides the sure consciousness of ecstacy, unknown, yet known in that its being is certain. O Lord, be my helper, and bring me to the bliss of the Beloved!

I came to the house of the Beloved, and the wine was like fire that flieth with green wings through the world of waters.

I felt the red lips of nature and the black lips of perfection. Like sisters they fondled me their little brother; they decked me out as a bride; they mounted me for Thy bridal chamber.

They fled away at Thy coming; I was alone before Thee.

I trembled at Thy coming, O my God, for Thy messenger was more terrible than the Death-star.

On the threshold stood the fulminant figure of Evil, the Horror of emptiness, with his ghastly eyes like poisonous wells. He stood, and the chamber was corrupt; the air stank. He was an old and gnarled fish more hideous than the shells of Abaddon.

He enveloped me with his demon tentacles; yea, the eight fears took hold upon me.

But I was anointed with the right sweet oil of the Magister; I slipped from the embrace as a stone from the sling of a boy of the woodlands.

I was smooth and hard as ivory; the horror gat no hold. Then at the noise of the wind of Thy coming he was dissolved away, and the abyss of the great void was unfolded before me.

Across the waveless sea of eternity Thou didst ride with Thy captains and Thy hosts; with Thy chariots and horsemen and spearmen didst Thou travel through the blue.

Before I saw Thee Thou wast already with me; I was smitten through by Thy marvellous spear.

I was stricken as a bird by the bolt of the thunderer; I was pierced as the thief by the Lord of the Garden.

O my Lord, let us sail upon the sea of blood!

There is a deep taint beneath the ineffable bliss; it is the taint of generation.

Yea, though the flower wave bright in the sunshine, the root is deep in the darkness of earth.

Praise to thee, O beautiful dark earth, thou art the mother of a million myriads of myriads of flowers.

Also I beheld my God, and the countenance of Him was a thousandfold brighter than the lightning. Yet in his heart I beheld the slow and dark One, the ancient one, the devourer of His children.

In the height and the abyss, O my beautiful, there is no thing, verily, there is no thing at all, that is not altogether and perfectly fashioned for Thy delight.

Light cleaveth unto Light, and filth to filth; with pride one contemneth another. But not Thou, who art all, and beyond it; who art absolved from the Division of the Shadows.

O day of Eternity, let Thy wave break in foamless glory of sapphire upon the laborious coral of our making!

We have made us a ring of glistening white sand, strewn wisely in the midst of the Delightful Ocean.

Let the palms of brilliance flower upon our island; we shall eat of their fruit, and be glad.

But for me the lustral water, the great ablution, the dissolving of the soul in that resounding abyss.

I have a little son like a wanton goat; my daughter is like an unfledged eaglet; they shall get them fins, that they may swim.

That they may swim, O my beloved, swim far in the warm honey of Thy being, O blessed one, O boy of beatitude!

This heart of mine is girt about with the serpent that devoureth his own coils.

When shall there be an end, O my darling, O when shall the Universe and the Lord thereof be utterly swallowed up?

Nay! who shall devour the Infinite? who shall undo the Wrong of the Beginning?

Thou criest like a white cat upon the roof of the Universe; there is none to answer Thee.

Thou art like a lonely pillar in the midst of the sea; there is none to behold Thee, O Thou who beholdest all!

Thou dost faint, thou dost fail, thou scribe; cried the desolate Voice; but I have filled thee with a wine whose savour thou knowest not.

It shall avail to make drunken the people of the old gray sphere that rolls in the infinite Far-off; they shall lap the wine as dogs that lap the blood of a beautiful courtesan pierced through by the Spear of a swift rider through the city.

I too am the Soul of the desert; thou shalt seek me yet again in the wilderness of sand.

At thy right hand a great lord and a comely; at thy left hand a woman clad in gossamer and gold and having the stars in her hair. Ye shall journey far into a land of pestilence and evil; ye shall encamp in the river of a foolish city forgotten; there shall ye meet with Me.

There will I make Mine habitation; as for bridal will I come bedecked and anointed; there shall the Consummation be accomplished.

O my darling, I also wait for the brilliance of the hour ineffable, when the universe shall be like a girdle for the midst of the ray of our love, extending beyond the permitted end of the endless One.

Then, O thou heart, will I the serpent eat thee wholly up; yea, I will eat thee wholly up

Oooh my this is MY chapter from top to bottom ✨✨✨ this year’s favorite is with bold

Tarot card source: https://www.weasyl.com/~blackantlers/submissions/124594/tarot-on-growth-decay

[savvytravelers]

Luxurious Nile Cruise

Egypt Odyssey: Unraveling Mysteries Along The Nile

Embark on an unparalleled journey through the ancient wonders of Egypt with our exquisite 11-night Nile River cruise and land experience. This meticulously curated adventure includes a 3-night Cairo pre-cruise, a 7-night roundtrip cruise from Luxor, and a 1-night Cairo post-cruise, offering an all-encompassing exploration of Egypt's most iconic sights.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Cairo Begin your journey in Cairo, where you'll be greeted by our representative who will assist with your luggage and customs. Relax and settle into your luxury hotel, enjoying the first glimpses of the Nile from your partial view room.

Day 2: Cairo Dive into Egypt's rich history at the Egyptian Museum, home to King Tut's treasures and a vast collection of artifacts. After a local lunch, visit the Alabaster Mosque at the Citadel of Saladin, offering panoramic views of Cairo. Conclude your day with a Welcome Reception featuring tapas and drinks.

Day 3: Cairo Explore the ancient capital of Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the necropolis of Sakkara. Enjoy a delightful lunch at the historic Mena House Hotel, followed by a leisurely evening.

Day 4: Cairo to Luxor Fly to Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes, and embark on your luxurious river cruise ship. Enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Cocktail as you prepare for the adventures ahead.

Day 5: Luxor Visit the Valley of the Kings and Queens, including a private tour of Queen Nefertari’s Tomb. Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. In the evening, relax on the Upper Deck or join an informal cooking class.

Day 6: Edfu Discover the Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples. Enjoy the timeless landscapes of the Nile as the ship cruises towards Aswan.

Day 7: Aswan Opt for a free morning or an excursion to Abu Simbel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, take a felucca ride around Elephantine Island and consider an afternoon tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel. End the day with a belly dance show on board.

Day 8: Aswan to Esna Visit the Philae Temple complex and a Nubian village on Hisa Island. Continue to the Great Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris. Celebrate local customs with a Galabeya Party on board.

Day 9: Esna to Luxor Cruise to Luxor, visiting the Temple of Karnak and a papyrus shop. Explore the Temple of Luxor and the vibrant Luxor Market.

Day 10: Luxor to Qena to Luxor Sail to Qena and visit the Temple of Hathor in Dendara, the best-preserved temple in Egypt. Return to Luxor for the night.

Day 11: Luxor to Cairo Disembark in Luxor and fly back to Cairo. Enjoy an exclusive tour of the Abdeen Presidential Palace, followed by a special lunch. Explore Coptic Cairo, including the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue.

Day 12: Cairo Bid farewell to Cairo as you prepare for your flight home, completing an unforgettable journey through Egypt's ancient wonders.

Luxurious Accommodations and Amenities

Cairo (Pre-Cruise)

Arrival airport transfer

3 nights in a luxury hotel with a partial Nile view room, daily breakfast, and complimentary Wi-Fi

Full-day Cairo tour with visits to the Egyptian Museum, Citadel of Salah Ed-Din, and Alabaster Mosque

Visit to the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and Saqqara Museum

Lunch at the historic Mena House Hotel

Nile River Cruise

7-night river cruise in elegantly appointed accommodations

Fine dining options, including The Al Fresco Restaurant

Wine, beer, and soft drinks included during lunch and dinner

Sip & Sail cocktail hour, Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, and Gala Dinner

Dedicated English-speaking Egyptologist guide

Nightly entertainment, including belly dance shows and a Galabeya Party

Guided shore excursions and exclusive visits to historical sites

Onboard amenities: fitness room, sun-deck pool, hair and nail salon, massage room, and complimentary Wi-Fi

Cairo (Post-Cruise)

1 night in a luxury hotel with a partial Nile view room, breakfast, and complimentary Wi-Fi

Visits to the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue

Exclusive private tour and lunch at the Abdeen Presidential Palace

Departure airport transfer

Optional Extensions

Enhance your adventure with a 3-night pre-cruise extension in Dubai, exploring the vibrant city known for its luxury shopping, modern architecture, and lively nightlife.

Conclusion

Experience the timeless allure of Egypt on our luxurious river cruise. From the bustling streets of Cairo to the serene landscapes along the Nile, this journey offers a unique blend of history, culture, and luxury. Explore iconic sites like the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Luxor, guided by expert Egyptologists. Indulge in fine dining, exclusive experiences, and world-class service throughout your adventure. Join us for an unforgettable exploration of Egypt's ancient secrets and modern marvels with Savvy Travelers. Unlock the mysteries of this captivating land with our Egypt Odyssey!

[scotianostra]

**November 10th 1871 saw the Journalist Henry M Stanley find the missing Scottish missionary David Livingstone with the classic “Dr Livingstone, I presume?”**

In 1867, Henry Stanley became special correspondent for the New York Herald and two years late would be sent to Africa in search of the legendary explorer David Livingstone.

Livingston had been following his obsessional search to find the sources of the Nile River and no one had heard from him for three years.

Stanley got to Zanzibar in 1871 and headed out on a 700 mile trek through tropical rainforest. Because the Herald had not sent the money promised for the expedition he borrowed in from the US Consul. He used this cash to hire over 100 porters for the expedition.

The trip did not go well. During the expedition through the tropical forest, his thoroughbred stallion died within a few days after a bite from a tsetse fly. Many of his porters deserted, and the rest were decimated by tropical diseases.

Seven months after arriving in Zanzibar Stanley found Dr Livingstone near Lake Tanganyika in present-day Tanzania and greeted him with the famous quote: “Doctor Livingstone, I presume?” Or did he?

There is some doubt about whether the line was actually ever said.

Henry Morton Stanley was born John Rowlands on 28th January 1841 in Denbigh, Wales. His parents were not married, and he was brought up in a workhouse. In 1859, he left for New Orleans. There he was befriended by a merchant, Henry Stanley, whose name he took. Stanley went on to serve on both sides in the American Civil War and then worked as a sailor and journalist.

In 1867, Stanley became special correspondent for the New York Herald. Two years later he was commissioned by the paper to go to Africa and search for the missionary and explorer David Livingstone, of whom little had been heard of for over a year, when he had set off to search for the source of the Nile.

Stanley reached Zanzibar in January 1871 and proceeded to Lake Tanganyika, Livingstone's last known location. There in November 1871 he found the sick explorer, greeting him with the now disputed words: 'Dr Livingstone, I presume?' Stanley's reports on his expedition made his name.

When Livingstone died in 1873, Stanley resolved to continue his exploration of the region, funded by the Herald and a British newspaper.

He explored vast areas of central Africa, and travelled down the length of the Lualaba and Congo Rivers, reaching the Atlantic in August 1877, after an epic journey that he later described in 'Through the Dark Continent'.

Failing to gain British support for his plans to develop the Congo region, Stanley found more success with King Leopold II of Belgium, who was eager to tap Africa's wealth. In 1879, with Leopold's support, Stanley returned to Africa where he worked to open the lower Congo to commerce by the construction of roads. He used brutal means that included the widespread use of forced labour. Competition with French interests in the region helped bring about the Berlin Conference (1884-1885) in which European powers sorted out their competing colonial claims in Africa. Stanley's efforts paved the way for the creation of the Congo Free State, privately owned by Leopold.

In 1890, now back in Europe, Stanley married and then began a worldwide lecture tour. He became member of parliament for Lambeth in south London, serving from 1895 to 1900. He was knighted in 1899. He died in London on 10 May 1904.

[reasoningdaily]

King Leopold's Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa

King Leopold's Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa

In the late 1890s, Edmund Dene Morel, a young British shipping company agent, noticed something strange about the cargoes of his company's ships as they arrived from and departed for the Congo, Leopold II's vast new African colony. Incoming ships were crammed with valuable ivory and rubber. Outbound ships carried little more than soldiers and firearms.

Correctly concluding that only slave labor on a vast scale could account for these cargoes, Morel resigned from his company and almost singlehandedly made Leopold's slave-labor regime the premier human rights story in the world. Thousands of people packed hundreds of meetings throughout the United States and Europe to learn about Congo atrocities. Two courageous black Americans - George Washington Williams and William Sheppard - risked much to bring evidence to the outside world. Roger Casement, later hanged by Britain as a traitor, conducted an eye-opening investigation of the Congo River stations.

Sailing into the middle of the story was a young steamboat officer named Joseph Conrad. And looming over all was Leopold II, King of the Belgians, sole owner of the only private colony in the world.

Reviewer Comment:

This is a tragic history of the Belgian Congo at the turn of the 19th century as the Scramble for Africa began. Adam Hochschild is an American writer and journalist for the New Yorker, NY Times, NY Review of Books and Times Literary Supplement. His work has combined history with human rights advocacy. The events in this book are a shameful chapter in the era of colonialism, of which there were many. It is portrait of Leopold likely to inspire loathing in any who reads it. Beside an account of a colony, it archives the lives of activists who fought to free it. In 1482 Portuguese sailors braved the ocean beyond the Canary Islands and discovered a fresh water flow off the coast of Central Africa. Following a silt trail, fighting a fast current, they found the mouth of a vast river. Nine years later priests and emissaries arrived and began the first European settlement in a black African kingdom. Small scale slavery existed but a booming slave trade developed with the Americas to grow cotton and cane. During the 19th century slavery was abolished in Britain and America yet continued in Afro-Arab commerce. Leopold II (1835-1909) was the King of the Belgians and obsessed with obtaining colonies. He studied records of conquistadores in Seville, sailed to India, Ceylon, Burma and Java noting lucrative concerns. Plantations depended on forced labor to lift profits and civilize the lazy natives. He looked at land in Brazil, Argentina, Phillipines and Taiwan. Frustrated in these attempts he focused his sights on Africa. Humanitarian pretenses of freeing Africa from slavery and bringing enlightenment to the Dark Continent disguised his dreams of ivory and rubber.

Henry Morton Stanley led a Dickensonian life. Abandoned to a poorhouse as a child he sailed to America and became a soldier in the Civil War, first for the Confederacy and then for the Union. He became a newspaper correspondent and tracked down explorer David Livingstone during his search for the source of the Nile. Returning to Africa in 1874 to map the waterways of the interior he discovered the source of the Congo River. Upon reaching the Atlantic he was hired by Leopold to establish trading posts and railroads and force tribal leaders to cede land. King Leopold and an American ambassador formed fake philanthropic associations for evangelism and scientific study of the region. In 1884 he lobbied the US to recognize the Congo Free State, in reality a colony owned by himself. Post-Civil War politicians were interested in sending freed slaves back to Africa. The area annexed was as large as the land east of the Mississippi while Belgium was half the size of West Virginia. In diplomatic deals France and Germany fell into line and Britain became invested. The challenge was to carry steamboats over the falls. By 1890 trading stations had been secured. Elephants were hunted by conscripted natives or their ivory simply seized. Vacant land was leased to private companies with shares of the profit retained. Legions of Africans were used as porters through jungles chained by the neck. So many were needed agents began to purchase them from the slave traders they purported to abolish. Security officers of the Free State were Europeans, half from Belgium, with soldiers drawn from the Congo. They chose to join the conquerors, their spears and muskets no match for machine guns. Leopold's agents set up orphanages run by Catholic missions to train future troops. Captured women were kept in harems by agents or held hostage to coerce their men to harvest rubber. Discipline was enforced with the whip and counted in severed hands of dead rebels. To exact penalties entire villages were often burned down. The human toll over a quarter century is not known for certain but is estimated at 10 million, or half of the population. The causes included murder, starvation and disease (due to inhuman working conditions) and lowered birth rates. Joseph Conrad was briefly a steamboat pilot on the Congo, his novel 'Heart of Darkness' a depiction of what he saw. Displays of decapitated heads were not only a metaphorical critique of colonialism. Black Americans G.W. Williams, a polymath, and W.H. Sheppard, a missionary, exposed the conditions in 1890. Few voices of natives were recorded but are included where possible. In 1898 British shipping clerk E. D. Morel and Irish diplomat R. Casement suspected forced labor and began campaigns. Mark Twain and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote exposés on Leopold. As opinion turned Leopold waged propaganda wars. Self-appointed commission reports criticized his regime. The only option was to sell Congo to Belgium; self rule was unthinkable. In 1908 Leopold was given a billion dollar bonus and billions remained in his name. Wild rubber was replaced with farms. Atrocities declined but forced labor persisted. Head taxes kept people in plantations and mines before independence in 1960. PM Lumumba, seen as hostile to business, was shot with Belgian and US assistance and replaced by kleptocrat Mobuto until 1997.

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[ahmed-gamal]

Discovery of 63 Archaeological Tombs from the Late Period and the Ptolemaic Era in New Damietta

The Egyptian archaeological mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities succeeded in uncovering 63 adobe tombs and some simple burials with a group of gold foils from the late period. And some bronze coins from the Ptolemaic era, in the Tell el-Deir cemetery in New Damietta, which confirms the city's importance as a center of trade in various eras.

A group of funerary amulets, Oshapti statues, pottery vessels, the remains of simple architectural units, a pottery vessel containing 38 bronze coins from the Ptolemaic era, and a collection of imported and local pottery vessels were found inside the tombs.

He explained that the architectural layout of the discovered tombs is one of the recognized and widespread models in ancient Egypt during the late period, which confirms the historical importance of this discovery, which may be the beginning of re-dating an important period for the city of Damietta, adding that the found artifacts from the 26th Dynasty confirm the completion of the historical sequence of the Tell el-Deir necropolis and the important commercial role of the Damietta site during different historical eras.

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[mxtxfanatic]

Spooky Book of the Week: Fantasy Farm

Author: Xī Zǐxù (西子绪)

Genre: horror, supernatural, slice of life, danmei

Rating: T for the Nile (not just a river in Egypt)

My Synopsis: Man who moves back to his home village and discovers that nothing around him is normal thinks that he is, in fact, normal. Lol. Lmao even.

My Review: If the other spooky month recs have been a tad bit too spooky, this might be the novel for you! A lot of the plots lean heavily into the supernatural without the scare factor (lowkey starts to feel like a Studio Ghibli movie in the latter 2/3rds of the novel). But before I get too deep into this: this novel is heavy on the slice-of-life, as in it does not feel like much is driving the plot further other than "MC lives his life." It's not bad (I am obviously reccing it, lol) but if you're looking for adventure and consistent plot movement, then this one may not be for you. In a way, it kind of reminds me of the anime Mushi-shi (if you've never seen it, check it out!) where some episodes are horror, some episodes are chill, but the whole show is just about humans dealing with the inconvenience of living beside the supernatural. On another note, if you are someone easily tempted by depictions of food, this novel will either make you very happy or very angry. Almost every chapter discusses a new Chinese dish, and the translators were oh so very kind enough to include pictures of each one at the very end. One even started adding the recipes at the end. All in all, I really enjoyed the slow pace of this despite how frustrating Lu Qingjiu's ironclad self-restraint and lack of curiosity made me. (I mean c'mon dude, you can't be in a horror novel and then not explore the horror! You can't have a sense of self preservation and respect of personal boundaries when mystery is afoot! Do you not know what genre you're in?!) Can't wait for the cookbook to drop!

Translation: complete