KUSHITE

Among other economic means, agriculture was central [i] to the success of the Kushite Empire. Widely accepted is the notion that a drying of the Sahara Desert [ii] approximately 4,000 years ago pushed the Kushites to the fertile Nile Basin. Kush eventually became a major power, briefly surpassing Egypt, when it invaded its neighbor to the north and entered a new era as stewards of the 25th pharaonic dynasty [iii]. The kingdom later declined in the 4th century as a result of the general rise and spread of the Roman Empire, but more directly from invasion and conquest by the Aksumites [iv] in 350 CE.

The Nile Basin has always been rich in valuable resources [v] and, as a result, the Kushite people possessed a great deal of skill in bronze metallurgy [vi] and the manufacturing of weapons. From this came a fairly effective application of military power through archery, wrestling, and the use of horses [vi]. Though it was a frequent trade partner, Rome attempted rule in parts of Nubia [viii]. The Kingdom of Kush established excellent trade with Egypt, although rivalry meant that they alternated as allies and enemies throughout centuries. Other enemies included the Assyrians [ix] (in the 7th century BCE) and the Aksumites toward the kingdom’s end.

Wrestling continues in Sudan as a direct influence from Kushite times [x]. The sport endures as an important Sudanese cultural connection for athletes, and as a platform for professional opportunity and positive social change [xi]. Additionally, the ancient Nubians once had hundreds of pyramids and many exist today. Sudan is widely considered to have more pyramids than Egypt [xii], a nation known worldwide for its famous collections. The Kushite influence in the modern era is yet to be realized, both from living in the archaeological shadow of Egypt and also by having its legacy undervalued and subjected to prejudice by early 20th century academia [xiii].

The Kushite Empire was a monarchy of kings and queens. They later formed the 25th pharaonic dynasty [xvi] after attacking and conquering Egypt in 744 BCE. The political power of the Kushite monarchs [xv] drew people and clans together who were previously not linked to one another within the region. Unifying people in this way probably contributed to the longevity of the empire. Kings and queens in Kush did not make laws, rather priests served that function. Furthermore, women played an influential role in society, with many queens taking the throne. In fact, royal succession in Kushite society occurred through a matrilineal system [xvi].

From its earliest roots to its final days, the kingdom’s existence persisted for almost 3,000 years. Occasional conflicts notwithstanding, the nation lived at peace with its neighbors for centuries, and trade flourished when Kush was not at war. Politics and commerce intertwined [xvii] and characterized much of the empire’s history, perhaps stemming from the trade that began in proximity to the Nile Cataracts near which the Kushite people lived. Jebel Barkal, a sacred mountain [xviii] and religious site for thousands of years, was believed by the ancient Egyptians and Kushites to be home of the god Amun and remains a popular location today.

Women were powerful Meroite rulers [xix], which differs from ancient Egyptian culture. They actually led men in battle, too. Significant technological leaps by the Kushites in raw material collection, furnaces, and iron production [xx] propelled the kingdom to heightened influence and economic power in the region, so much so that the advancements were a definitive origin of metallurgy in Sub-Saharan Africa. Furnace construction and operation expertise gave way to technical ceramics [xxi], from which prolific pottery trade and customs [xxii] stemmed. Their legacy is yet to be fully realized in the modern era, but they were forward-leaning and ahead of their peers in many respects.

The proximity to the Nile, certain key land routes nearby, and bold efforts to secure trade outside the region [xxiii] were crucial to their success. After their defeat in Egypt, and once established, Meroë was a major center of commerce for the Kushite kingdom. Iron ore in the region allowed them advancements of their own metalwork and boosted extensive trade with Egypt, the Mediterranean, and points further. Their concerted effort to stay rooted near the Nile strengthened networks and trade routes, but also helped achieve lasting cultural effects. The seeds sown by their economy at the time continue to show returns today.