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This month the question was what do you know about the “Hymn to the Nile”? I will answer by quoting from the introduction to the source of this question:
“The “Hymn to the Nile“ is an ancient Egyptian composition also known as the “Hymn to the Inundation“ or the “Hymn to Hapy,” dating to the early twentieth century b.c.e. and attributed to a scribe called Khety. Consisting of about two hundred of lines of verse written in short columns, it is an unusual sort of hymn in that it was not part of any known temple ritual. Hapy, god of the Nile River and its flood, had no temple and perhaps no priests or temple ritual particular to his worship. Nonetheless, he was a very popular and extremely important god. This hymn was likewise very popular, and many ancient copies exist. It was no doubt sung or recited at festivals in honor of the god and the Nile’s life-giving inundation.”
Certainly, a very old hymn.
The question, and answer, were found in Milestone Documents of World Religions. Milestone Documents of World Religions is a Salem History e-Book. It examines key sacred texts and fundamental documents of the world's primary religions, from ancient times to present. Find it on the library’s Research & Homework page under “M” and access it with your library card.
