The Reed Fields

by Brandon Campbell

  Navigating through the cataracts can be dangerous. I hope it is easy and safe when we get to them, Bak thought to himself.

  *

  The next day, the boat approached Elephantine Island. Pamu was still thinking about Akua’s hardship. Pamu asked one last question.

  “Akua, why were you allowed in the priesthood? Being the son of a tomb builder is like being the son of a fisherman.”

  “Because my father was a soldier and the king gave him a gift for his service.”

  “So he used his gift on you and didn’t take land like the other army men?”

  “Yes. And for some reason the king allowed this to happen. I guess I was fortunate. This is how I entered into the priesthood.”

  “Akua, will you tell me a little about the priesthood? I never had a chance to learn about it.”

  Akua did not want to go into this, but he realized he had a chance to be a friend to Pamu so he offered a little.

  “The Whmw are priests who speak to the gods. And some say that the gods speak through them. They call these priests mediums as they act as a go-between or medium between the gods and us. Next are the Imi-Unut the astronomer priests and priestesses. They classify and track the movements of the stars and the constellations they comprise. The heavens teach us a lot.”

  “How many more types of priests are there?” Pamu asked.

  “Three. The Sunu are the healers. They use gods and goddess that can help them. Isis, Hathor, Osiris, Thoth and Hapy are some of the deities they call upon. Next are the Rakhet. These are only priestesses. They are the ones that can see into others. They are sometimes referred to as Seers and Wise-Ones. Last, are the Sau, the protective magicians. They work magic to protect Egypt from over-bearing floods and to keep people protected from evil spirits, snakes, crocodiles, scorpions and whatever else we may need protection from.

  The boat was fast approaching Elephantine Island.

  “Does your family live on the island Pamu?” Addaya asked.

  “No, they live amongst the hills on the eastern bank. The island is just the place where my father’s fishing operation is located.”

  “Oh, so it is a commercial operation?” Addaya asked.

  “That’s right. I believe he has three flat-bottomed boats now. I’m going to work from one of them. Have you done any fishing of this sort?”

  “No,” Addaya answered.

  Akua approached Pamu. Pamu had moved to the side of the boat where he had a great view of the papyrus clumps near the west bank. Akua was going to ask him if he wanted to go to Abu Simbel with him.

  “Akua, see that Ibis over there? He waits there in the tree until he sees a fish to catch.”

  “I see him. I wonder how long he will stay perched in that tree.”

  “Wow, he just flew down on the surface. They sure do move fast. Do you think he caught a fish?”

  “I don’t know. Probably. They are great fishers.” Akua replied.

  They both watched as the Ibis began to fly. His movements were slow and they seemed even slower with a fish between his feet. When the Ibis was not more than two inches above the water, a large crocodile opened his jaws wide and took the Ibis, fish and all, into his mouth.

  “I guess that crocodile will be full tonight,” Akua said.

  “Yep. We have just seen a very rare thing. Seldom is an Ibis seen in a tree and rarely does a crocodile catch and eat him. I am always amazed when I see life end so easily,” Pamu added.

  Akua decided now would be a great time to ask Pamu to go to Abu Simbel with him.

  “Pamu, would you like to go to Abu Simbel with me? It might be a nice break from the fisherman’s lifestyle. It should be an experience for us both. I would enjoy your company.”

  “Yes,” Pamu said. “I would be honored to travel with you to such an exciting place. I was hoping you would ask. We will find my father on the island and then go to see the rest of my family. That is when I’ll tell them.”

  Akua and Pamu jumped off of the boat onto the dock as soon as the boat came to a stop. Addaya planned to set off on the final leg at sunset. They were stopped at the only public boat dock on the island. Pamu knew that if he just waited, he would soon see his father. Within an hour, his father approached in a small fishing boat. He had approximately fifty Nile Perch in a barrel sitting on the stern. He was pleasantly surprised to see Pamu.

  “Hello, Father. I missed you,” Pamu said as he hugged his father.

  “I am so glad you are back. There is always lots of work,” his father replied.

  “This is my friend, Akua. He is a priest from Heliopolis. He’s headed to Abu Simbel in Kush.”

  Pamu turned to Akua.

  “This is my father, Jarha.”

  “I’m glad to meet you,” Akua said while shaking Jarha’s hand.

  “You two, climb aboard the boat and we will go to the house. Your mother and sister will be happy to see you,” Jarha said.

  “Father, how is the fishing? Are you happy with it?” Pamu asked.

  “It’s great. I almost always catch between fifty and one hundred fish a day. And the other two men that work with me catch twice that. Pamu, you made a good decision to come down here. Akua, do you have business in Abu Simbel?”

  “Yes. I’m going to stay at the temple.”

  “Pamu, I’m glad that you came. We should increase our catch by about twenty percent with your help,” Jarha said.

  Pamu did not say anything. He was already set on going with Akua. He hoped that his decision would not disappoint his father, or, at least, not disappoint him too much.

  Pamu’s family lived in a small village directly east of Elephantine Island amongst the hills above the east bank of the Nile. Jarha pointed to a cozy little mud brick house situated in the center of a row of thirty houses.

  “Akua, my mother’s name is Amisi and my sister’s name is Oseye.”

  Once ashore, Pamu and Jarha tied the front and the back of the boat to a couple of trees. Then they started on the approximately one quarter of a mile walk to the village. Amisi and Oseye saw them coming and went out to meet them. Pamu hugged them both at the same time. Akua had not seen Pamu so happy. They walked up to the house, Pamu and his mother arm in arm.

  “This is my good friend, Akua. He’s traveling to Abu Simbel to visit the temple,” Pamu said.

  “Akua, you are welcome in our home. And Abu Simbel is a great city,” Amisi said.

  “How long have you and your family been here?” Akua asked.

  “Just about two and a half years. When we were still up north, we heard of the flourishing fishing industry down here. We are happy here.” Amisi continued, “To Jarha’s and my delight, Oseye is becoming a skilled Model Builder.”

  Akua turned his attention to Oseye. Pamu was also surprised by his sister’s new passion.

  “I’ve learned to build models of some of the granaries and workshops that have been built in Elephantine,” Oseye said excitedly.

  “Do you build models for the tombs also?” Akua asked her.

  “No. I probably won’t do that while I live here. But that is in great demand in Thebes.”

  “Did you and Pamu have a good trip? Were the gods kind while you were on the river?” Amisi asked.

  “Yes, it was great. We traveled with two sisters that live in Thebes and a boat crew of two. I believe the crew went to see friends at the Jewish temple here. Oh, and Akua has shared some of his priestly wisdom with me. It is really fascinating.”

  “When do you resume Akua?” Amisi asked.

  “Before sunset tonight.”

  Pamu realized that this was probably as good a time as any to tell his family he was going to Abu Simbel with Akua.

  “Mother and Father, Akua has asked me to go with him to Abu Simbel. I would like to go very much. Father, can you spare me for a while?”

  Jarha clinched his teeth.

  “Why do you want to go to Abu Simbel? I need you here.”

  “So I can learn about things like astronom
y. I want to know more than the fisherman’s life. Don’t keep me here,” Pamu responded.

  “For how long do you plan to stay in Abu Simbel?” Jarha asked Akua.

  “Three to four months. I will take good care of Pamu. I think it would be a great experience. Pamu will learn about philosophy and astronomy.”

  Jarha realized this was important to Pamu. Jarha turned to Pamu.

  “You go and learn. It’s okay. But I will surely need you at the beginning of the grain harvest, for many will come and fishmeal is one of their staples. You know Amisi, it will be good to have such a smart son.”

  “Take care of our only son, Akua,” Jarha said.

  “Now we can all sit down and have a meal together,” Amisi said.

  “That was a great meal. Father, will you take us to the public boat dock?”

  Pamu said goodbye to his mother and sister.

  “Thank you for letting me do this. I love you all very much. I will bring gifts back for each of you,” Pamu said.

  Akua’s heart warmed seeing the love in Pamu’s family. It was an honor for him to know such good people. In a way, he wished he could stay and live with them and forget about the priesthood and their insidious ways.

  “You have a beautiful life here. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing me into your home, the great meal, and blessing Pamu to travel with me,” Akua said to Amisi, Jarha and Oseye.

  Akua hoped that the temple in Abu Simbel would accept them. He worried that they might not let Pamu in since he was not a priest.

  What am I doing? Why am I here? Why am I pretending to have an important agenda? Why am I being loyal to the priesthood? They don’t even care whether I live or die.

  *

  The small fishing boat pulled into the docks on the island. Addaya and Bak had packed the boat with supplies and were waiting to depart.

  “Father, come and meet the others,” Pamu said.

  “Meet Addaya and Bak. My father, Jarha, runs one of the fishing operations here on the island.”

  “It’s my pleasure to meet you,” Addaya replied.

  “Good to meet you,” Bak said as he shook hands with Jarha.

  “I have done some commercial fishing. Does your operation use the cross netting technique?” Bak asked.

  Jarha had no idea what the cross netting technique was. And he assumed Bak didn’t either. Jarha looked at Pamu and rolled his eyes. But to be nice he answered as if Bak knew what he was talking about.

  “No. There’s not much call for that around here. It was great meeting each of you. You provide a great service to others. Be safe as you travel to Abu Simbel. And, Addaya, watch out when you go through that first cataract, I know how difficult it can be.”

  “What? I am an experienced navigator. This is what I do for a living. It’ll be fine,” Addaya said sharply.

  Jarha realized right then that he offended Addaya. He did not respond because he wanted the kid to grow thick skin.

  “Pamu, I’ll be waiting for your return,” Jarha said to his son as the boat left the dock.

  Chapter 3

  Akua and Pamu felt pretty comfortable on Addaya’s boat by now. The slow gurgling sounds of the Nile seemed familiar. It would be about four days until they arrived at Abu Simbel. By the next morning, they would be crossing the first cataract of the river. Pamu felt like he could talk with Akua casually.

  “Akua, tell me more about Nefertet. What does she look like?” Pamu asked.

  Akua could sense Pamu’s longing. It was obvious to Akua that Pamu wanted a love of his own.

  “She is about three and a half cubits in height. Her skin glows. She has straight black hair that extends to her shoulders. Her blue eyes are set back in her face with the slant of the gods. One day, Pamu, I’ll find a way to be with her so neither I, nor her parents will be threatened by the priesthood.

  “When we get back from Abu Simbel, you may want to go to find a wife. Perhaps your father could arrange a marriage for you. Your future will be much easier if you have a loving wife.”

  “Akua, you make good sense. I will do just that. It’s all very exciting to think about.”

  Pamu and Akua awoke the next morning to Addaya’s strong voice.

  “Wake up you two. We are about to reach the first cataract.”

  “Are we going to be able to take the boat through the cataract?” Akua asked.

  “Yes and no. We can’t navigate the river in the roughest spots, but one of the ancient kings built a canal we can use,” Addaya said as he pointed to the canal.

  “Does the canal look like it is still navigable?”

  “It appears so. But to be safe, Bak is going to probe the waters ahead of the boat as we float through.”

  As they entered the canal, Pamu and Akua marveled at the granite the water flowed through. The rock cut canal was ninety meters long, ten meters wide and about six meters deep. Akua stood up at the back of the boat to get a better look at the interesting rock formations. He was standing on the edge. Although it appeared like the water was not moving, it actually flowed slowly.

  Akua extended his hands so he could feel the rock surface. But he failed to pull his arms back as the boat moved along. His body kept extending until, finally, there was no length left.

  “Pamu, grab me before I fall,” he shouted.

  But Pamu couldn’t get to him quickly enough. Akua took a face plant into the water. The other three laughed uncontrollably for a minute.

  “What an idiot. Did you think you could defy gravity? Even, Khnum, the god of the cataract, is laughing at you,” Pamu snickered.

  Akua could not get back in the boat by himself. And Pamu was in no hurry to help him. The others kept laughing.

  “Oh, my wound. Pamu, give me your hand,” Akua said as he crouched in the water.

  Pamu helped Akua aboard. Once aboard, Akua looked into Pamu’s eyes.

  “Now who’s the idiot?” Akua walked to the back of the boat where he poured himself some beer and started eating a piece of bread. At that moment, Addaya walked back.

  “Now that we are past the first and most dangerous cataract, we will be in Abu Simbel in about three to four days. They did not pay me enough for your trip to the south. Basically, I’m working for free on your behalf.”

  Now I have to deal with this? It seems like everyone wants more and more payment.

  “Addaya, I don’t have anything to pay with me. But I am sure the temple people back in Heliopolis will pay any extra fare for Pamu and me. When you finally do return, just go to the temple and explain the situation to Meehi-Awk, the high priest.”

  Maybe he will be reasonable with you. He sure was not with me.

  *

  Akua and Pamu found Abu Simbel to be very lively. The sun festival was already taking place. On October twenty second, the day after Akua and Pamu arrived, the temple would illuminate gloriously from the sunlight.

  “Where should we go first?” Pamu asked.

  “Let’s go to the temple.”

  The two walked to the temple, built many years ago by the Pharaoh Ramesses II. The temple facade was very impressive to both of them. Four statues of Ramesses II seated on a throne, each one sixty-seven feet tall, greeted those who entered.

  Akua first walked to the House of Life behind the temple to introduce himself to the people inside. Since the House of Life was open to all, Pamu followed Akua. There were only two people inside, a priest and a priestess.

  The priest wore a long white robe, but the priestess wore unfamiliar clothes. She wore two kilts, one was thin and transparent and it covered all of her legs and on top of that she wore a solid black kilt that only covered her waist and upper thighs. On her upper body she wore a solid white tunic with long pleated sleeves that flared at the elbow.

  “I am Iawy and next to me is Merit,” the priest said.

  “I am Akua-Mat from Heliopolis. I have travelled here in the name of the priesthood. I am here to study aspects of religion, philosophy and astronomy and
how they might compare and contrast to the same in Lower Egypt. I have arrived here due to the priesthood’s Rotation. Next to me is Pamu, my apprentice.”

  Akua just told a couple of small lies, but he did it to make everyone understand and feel at ease. His journey and arrival had nothing to do with the Rotation. And as long as they thought Pamu was his apprentice, Pamu would be allowed in the temple and to converse with the priesthood.

  “Is there a festival going on?” Akua asked, although he knew there was.

  “Yes. We call it the Festival of the Sun. Rays of sunlight will illuminate the interior of the temple tomorrow. Our forefathers built it with that in mind,” Iawy said.

  “Wow. I can’t wait to see that,” Akua said.

  “It is spectacular. This temple was built by Ramesses II and the solar event is a tribute to his life. But even more so, it glorifies the great Re.”

  Merit spoke up. Her name means lover of science.

  “But unlike where you come from, Akua, we associate Re with Amun, the king of the gods. So you came here to learn the ways of our temple? Are you

  saying you are not going to honor the gods with offerings? Who sent you?”

  “I am a priest, of course I will honor the gods. Specifically, I was sent by Meehi-Awk, the high priest at the Per Atum temple in Heliopolis. We want to learn from you and enrich our culture back home.”

  Akua felt indifferent as he told another lie. He knew that Meehi had really sent him down here to get rid of him. The thought of Meehi enraged Akua, but he did not let it show. There may have been some truth to the whole learning and enriching Egypt thing, but he thought it was mostly a guise.

  At that point Iawy left. Akua and Pamu were captivated by Merit’s exotic look. Merit took the opportunity to expand on what they were talking about before Iawy left.

  “As you know, Re dies every night as he is swallowed by the sky. And the stars of Orion symbolize his rebirth. Re’s rebirth is a gift from Osiris.”

  “Is this part of the Eternal Recurrence?” Akua asked. Although he knew it was, he also wanted to get the perspective from this part of Egypt while making Merit happy.

  “Yes, Akua. It is. The Eternal Recurrence is the universal law saying that the same exact situation will occur at some point in the future. Although some distinguish the rebirth from the Eternal Recurrence, I do not. When Re is reborn in a new day, I see that as Eternal Recurrence.”