Culture

Egyptian authorities ban Dutch archaeologists from linking Beyonce, Rihanna to Ancient Queen Nefertiti

Published

2 years ago

June 8, 2023

Egyptian antiquities authorities have warned archeologists from the Netherlands not to hold exhibitions linking international music stars, Beyonce and Rihanna to the Ancient Egyptian Queen Nefertiti.

The warning which came from the National Museum of Antiquities, came after Egyptian authorities accused the Dutch archeologists of falsifying history through its showcase of works by musical artistes including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Nas and Miles Davis.

The exhibition which was held at the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (RMO) entitled “Kemet. Egypt in Hip Hop, jazz, soul & funk,” according to the organisers, was aimed at demonstrating how Ancient Egypt and Nubia havd been “an undeniable source of inspiration for musicians of African descent for over 70 years.”

“The artists have embraced the ancient cultures and employed the associated motifs as symbols of resistance, empowerment and spiritual healing,” the exhibition organisers said in a statement.

The exhibition featured photographs and music videos showing how Beyoncé and Rihanna had both appeared as Queen Nefertiti, while a modern sculpture of Nas based on the famous gold mask of King Tutankhamun was also on display.

In addition, there were several of Sun Ra’s Egyptian-inspired costumes and songs by artistes ranging from Nina Simone and Fela Kuti to Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill.

“The exhibition also looks at what scientific research has revealed about ancient Egypt and Nubia and discusses how they have been studied from Eurocentric and Afrocentric perspectives,” the statement said.

However, the Egyptian culture authorities did not take the exhibition lightly, which they said was part of an effort to distort its history.

In the past three months, Egypt has been battling a series of what it calls the “falsification of history” and pursuit of “Afrocentric theory” following a recent depiction of one of its revered Queens, Cleopatra as a “Black Woman” in a Netflix documentary.

The Egyptian Antiquities Ministry insisted that Cleopatra had “Hellenistic (Greek) features”, including “light skin”.

In response to the warning, the RMO said it was disappointed to be “informed in a recent email from a senior Egyptian antiquities official that it was no longer allowed to excavate at the Saqqara necropolis near Cairo after almost 50 years of work there.”

“The Egyptian authorities have every right to terminate a permit for an excavation; after all, it is their land and their heritage. However, the museum considers the underlying argument for this decision incorrect.

“The Egyptian authorities conclude that our current exhibition is about ‘falsifying’ the ancient Egyptian history. This political argument is used to express the dissatisfaction with the exhibition and to ban our excavation.”

Click to comment

Culture

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Published

10 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest singing marathon by an individual.

The sing-a-thon which began in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, at Heroes’ Park, Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, will run until December 25, and will see the determined songstress perform non-stop, focusing exclusively on Ghanaian songs.

According to Asantewaa’s manager, Madam Gladys Osei Owiredu, the audacious initiative is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ghanaian music to a global audience.

Owiredu confirmed that preparations for the event had been extensive but expressed confidence in Asantewaa’s readiness to finally break the record.

“I can confirm that she is ready for the task ahead. It’s been challenging—by way of preparations—but I can say she is ready,” Owiredu said.

Asantewaa’s second attempt follows her first effort in December 2023, which fell short of surpassing the current record of 105 hours held by India’s Sunil Waghmare.

But despite the setback, her team remains optimistic about breaking the record this time with corporate sponsors including International Maritime Hospital, Ghana Gas, Nasco Electronics, and Zoomlion Ghana Limited rallying behind her, underscoring the importance of the attempt in amplifying the global significance of Ghanaian music.

Culture

Ghana’s Supreme Court dismisses suit challenging anti-LGBT bill

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed two separate suits challenging the legality of one of the proposed anti-LGBT legislations awaiting assent into law by the president.

The separate suits were filed by two legal practitioners, Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, challenging the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.

The two cases had challenged the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

But in a ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously decided to dismiss the legal challenges to the new anti-LGBT legislation that has been criticised by rights groups.

The controversial bill was passed earlier this year by Ghanaian lawmakers with three years imprisonment for people identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT groups.

While dismissing the cases, presiding judge, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, who delivered the ruling on behalf of the seven-member panel, said the cases were premature.

“Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act, the two cases were “unanimously dismissed,” she said.

The ruling is the latest blow to the LGBTQ community in Ghana and paves the way for the president to sign into law what many say is one of Africa’s most restrictive piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose term in office ends on 7 January, had delayed signing it pending the outcome of the Supreme Court challenge but the judges said the case could not be reviewed until it had been signed it into law.

It expected that incoming president, John Mahama, will sign the bill into law as he had always expressed his support for the bill during his electioneering campaigns.