Introduction
The Nile River has been recognized as an essential feature that has shaped the lives of many Egyptians. Ancient Egypt was dry, but the presence of River Nile created an opportunity for the majority of people to practice agriculture as an essential source of livelihood. The flow of the River Nile led to the creation of fertile land as well as the availability of water for irrigation, thus changing the lives of people in Egypt (Bright, 2010). The Nile River facilitated Egyptians’ civilization as it provided the avenue for various economic and social aspects that would shape the economic and social activities of people in the community. In addition to agricultural activities, the Nile River provided means of transport and formed the building culture for Egyptians. The geographical location for the River Nile played an essential role in shaping the economic and cultural aspects of Egyptians.
Description
The Nile River is categorized as the longest river in the world covering approximately 4.100 miles. The river flows from south to the north through eastern Africa, passing through several Africa countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Burundi. The river originates from Lake Victoria and ends in the Mediterranean Sea (Bright, 2010). However, River Nile has played an essential role in shaping the lives of people in Egypt than in any other African country. The Nile River shaped the lives of people in Egypt by providing a situation that is applied in ensuring that there is a provision of favorable land for agriculture, thus increasing food supply. The gift of the Nile River created fertile soil for cultivation in the region.
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Heavy rains from mountains of East Africa resulted in the river overflowing its banks. In effect, the water left behind fertile black soil (silt) that favored agricultural activities. During the winter, people in the region dried wheat and barley, and they used the network of irrigation schemes to water their crops. Egyptians saw the Nile as their source of livelihood as they had to rely on irrigation schemes from the Nile River to survive in the region (Gershoni & Hatina, 2014). Though the river had some risks, the economic benefits were large as it provided means for economic survival. For instance, when the floodwaters were just lower, silt reduced, and many people starved due to lack of food. The Nile River is also recognized as a geographical that shaped the settlements in the region. For instance, many people settled following the flow of the river to achieve the economic benefits of the area.
The river also provided transportation means to people in the region. Ancient Egypt lived in the Nile River from its origin to the part of the interior of Africa. During this period, river travel was standard, and Egyptians used river travel as the means of transport until they could reach the border points where there were churning rapids. The presence of these cataracts made it challenging for boats to pass through and continue upstream to the interior of Africa. The transportation network provided by the river formed the basis for uniting the different villages in Egypt, thus making it possible to ensure that there is a promotion of economic activities such as trade (Sefelnasr & Sherif, 2014). Transport was critical in determining the level of economic growth because it created eased movement of goods and services. The wind that existed in the area flew from the North to the South, thus creating a chance for pushing the boats and assisting them in sailing against the water current.
Evaluation
The current situation in Egypt is attributable to the presence of the River Nile that shaped the lives of the majority of people in the region. The most recognized influential cultural aspect for River Nile among the Egyptians is that it became a unifying factor. There is a possibility that Egyptians lived in the region since 1500 BC or even a period earlier (Gershoni & Hatina, 2014). However, they lived as two separate kingdoms, with each of the villages practicing their way of life. During 3200 BC, people could divide Egypt as either the upper or the lower region. However, the presence of the Nile River provided means of transport in the area, making it easy for people to move from one part to the other. The interaction resulted in various activities such as the creation of trade and sharing of cultural values leading to the abandonment of historical differences to act as a united society. For example, the king of the lower part wore a red crown while that of the upper region wore a white crown. However, the unity began with the king named Narmer, who created a crown that consisted of both white and red crown. This acted as a symbolism that both regions had united and shared the way of life. The unification of the upper and Lower Egypt also resulted in the unification of the gods in Egypt. Upper Egypt believed in Seth, while Lower Egypt believed in Horus.
The presence of the Nile River also promoted civilization in the area through the food production revolution. In ancient Egypt, meat was recognized as a reliable source of food as the region was a dessert. However, the food production revolution process occurred during the Palaeolithic and Neolithic era that shifted the agricultural sector from meat to crop production. For instance, people turned to the production of wheat and Barley as the fundamental sources of food in the region. The emergency of crop production contributed to the breaking of the ancient Egyptian Nile River valley as people developed an interest in managing the new agricultural economy and surplus food produced. The emergence of farming activities in Egypt encouraged specialization and the development of towns and hierarchical forms of governance with powers given to an individual with skills to control the floods (Sefelnasr & Sherif, 2014). The cities developed during this period became trading centers, thus promoting economic growth in the country. Nile River created economic advancements in Egypt, therefore, calling for a need for establishing a centralized form of government that is present in modern Egypt. The economic growth and unification of the villages resulted in the creation of financial and political institutions. The central government played an essential role either directly or indirectly through its officials to monitor and create activities that would be applied in meeting the needs of the people in the society.
Analysis
The analysis of the activities in modern Egypt shows the impacts of River Nile in shaping the lives of people in Egypt. For example, more than 95% of the Egyptians today live in areas near the River Nile, thus creating an opportunity for such people to engage in agricultural activities (Dyer, 2014). The Canals bring water from the Nile that is used in irrigation and turn to support life in cities. Though modern Egypt is recognized as one of the countries adopting mechanisms to achieve food security, the commitment in meeting this goal is attributable to ancient Egypt as people developed irrigation from the Nile River that increased the area of productive land in Egypt. The US acted as the primary source of wheat supplied in Egypt, accounting for approximately $1 billion. However, as Egyptians adopted crop production, the US food assistance program to Egypt ended in the year 1992 (Dyer, 2014). For millennia, the food produced in Egypt has relied on the Nile Delta as the only region with water and fertile soil to support agricultural activities. In practice, River Nile has been used as the only source of agricultural activities, providing a source of income to one-third of the Egypt labor force. People in Egypt are either employed directly to work in the 6 million acres of productive land in the Nile valley or engage in trade activities that promote production and support of economic activities in the region.
In modern Egypt, people also use the River Nile to connect to different regions in Europe and Asia. As a result, the Nile River remains the commonly used trade route traders in need of reaching different areas of Europe or beyond. For instance, residents in Cairo have adopted using private speed boats, water taxis, or ferries as an alternative route to avoid the crowded streets in Egypt (Gershoni & Hatina, 2014). Though the delta is shrinking due to the level of erosion that occurs in the Mediterranean Sea, the river remains beneficial to the Egyptians. For instance, Aswan High Dam in Egypt acts as an essential source of hydroelectric power that is used to supply power for domestic or industrial use.
Conclusion
The Ancient and modern livelihood in Egypt is attributable to the economic and agricultural benefits of River Nile. River Nile is the longest river in Africa, flowing through different countries such as Egypt, Burundi, and Uganda. However, much of the influence of the river is attributable to the cultural development in Egypt. For example, Egypt is located in a desert that hindered agricultural activities such as crop farming. Floods in River Nile have resulted in the creation of fertile land and the availability of water that is used for irrigation of crops such as wheat and Barley. The river also provided routes for transport, thus promoting trade and unification of the upper and lower parts of the country. The impact of agricultural activities is revealed through the increment in closing the food security gap that has been witnessed in the region.
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References
Bright, B. (2010). The Roots of Culture: Developing an Ethno Depth Psychological Inquiry into the Role of the Nile in Ancient and Contemporary Egypt.
Dyer, G. (2014). Class, state and agricultural productivity in Egypt: study of the inverse relationship between farm size and land productivity. Routledge.
Gershoni, I., & Hatina, M. (2014). Narrating the Nile: Politics, Identities, Cultures. Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Sefelnasr, A., & Sherif, M. (2014). Impacts of seawater rise on seawater intrusion in the Nile Delta aquifer, Egypt. Groundwater, 52(2), 264-276.
