How Ramses II Asked Ra To Protect Black People At The Battle With The Hitites
February 11, 2021 409
Share this:
The ancient
people of Kemet worshipped many deities. They believed that these deities were
present in the world, controlling the world and protecting them, a belief that
explains their many religious practices and rituals.
They also
regarded their Pharaohs as the possessor of divine powers which they also
believed was given to them by the gods to make these pharaohs the
intermediaries between the people and them (the gods). Therefore the formal
religious practices was centered on the Pharoahs.
Although the
importance of many gods declined over time, some gods were still preeminent.
The sun-god Ra, the mother god Isis, the creator God of hidden power- Amun who
replaced the god - Montu (who was the original patron of the City of Thebes) and
for a brief period the god-Aten made by Pharoah Akhenaten thrived.
During the
New Kingdom (1550-1070BC) these gods were linked together uniting their power
to form a god (Amun-ra). But, Amun more than any other deity was an embodiment of
the all encompassing power of the divine and it is this god that Ramses II
called for help in his moment of despair at the Battle of Kadesh.
This is the story
Ramesu
Maryimana (Ramses II) who was a New Kingdom Pharoah and the third Pharoah of the
19th dynasty Ancient Egypt, led his troops to a battle (The Battle Of Kadesh)
against the Hitites which were under the command of Muwatalli II.
It is said
that during the course of the battle the Hitites inflicted a serious setback on
the Egyptian infantry, causing despair and fear among the Egyptian soldiers who
were on the verge of retreat which would have led to a defeat but thankfully,
Ramses II called out to Amen-Ra ( the Unique god of the Egyptians/Africans) who
filled him with courage and empowered the Egyptian Army with a new surge of
power that led to their victory over the Hitites.
This
encounter made Ramses II to be seen no more as an ordinary king but as a true
son of Ra (god).
This is the
prayer he said, a prayer still relevant today:
"I
am calling you
Oh our
father Amen-Ra
We are
amongst numerous people
That we
do not know and whose intentions are hostile towards us
The other
nations have once again allied themselves against us
In order
to harm Kamits (Blacks) and steal their wealth
We are
alone; there is nobody by our side
Here I am
raising my prayer
From the
ends of the barbarian lands
My call
reached Waset (Thebes)
And I can
hear from the distance your steps coming towards us
Glory to
you, Oh Amen-Ra
The
Master of the Universe"
Note: The
battle of Kadesh was at the city of Kadesh on the Orontes River near modern
Lebanon-Syrian border and it was between the forces of the New Kingdom of Egypt
led by Ramses II and the Hitite Empire which was led by Muwatalli II.