without
the permission of these mysterious men. They are called
the Medjai, and their twelve tribes span all of what was old
Egypt, guarding the treasures that once filled the nation
to the brim. Most of these so-called treasures
are old pots, brass bells, empty tombs and ancient texts,
but these peoples societies are based on this very protection.
We talked to Cultural
Historian Constance Adams on the subject of these people and
their customs, and what positive effect they've had on the
discovery of Egypt's past.
"Without them, much of
Egypt's old stories would have been lost," said Constance
outside the tent that is her desert home. |
"Looters and
thieves were rife from the moment the Egyptian Empire fell
to the Romans. When the Medjai were thrown out of the
royal courts by the Roman Military, they took to the deserts
and became a very strong and robust people. Many old
towns were abandoned over time, and the Medjai continued to
protect them, for their cultural legacy alone."
The obvious question one feels
compelled to ask is why? Why protect things that have lost
their meaning?
"The Medjai stand true to their purpose, which is to
serve the Pharaohs of Egypt, even after their deaths," said
Miss Adams. "It is not only a promise to their long gone kings,
but it is a way of respecting the culture that |
made
them who they are today. They only wish to make sure
that the rest of the world respects and obeys the old rules
when dealing with objects of the past."
The Medjai have helped prevent
many explorers from getting themselves hurt in new digs and
discoveries. Not only this, they have preserved
the past in their ceaseless duty to their peoples. -- Minnie
May. |
Etching of Medjai Commander
