Kemetic Orthodoxy
Kemetic Orthodoxy is a modern religious movement based on the reconstruction of the ancient Egyptian religion known as Kemeticism. It was founded in 1988 by Tamara Siuda, who until 2023 was recognized as the leader of the movement, referred to as its "Nisut" or "Pharaoh."
Kemetic Orthodoxy is often considered a cultic religion. Followers prioritize the practice of "correct" action, rituals, and liturgy rather than adhering to a specific scripture. Worship often takes place in both public and personal shrines. The main temple is located in Joliet, Illinois and various shrines are maintained by priests worldwide.
The faith is guided by five fundamental principles: upholding ma'at, belief in Netjer, veneration of akhu, participation in and respect for the community, and acknowledgment of Siuda as the Nisut. Practitioners of the faith are known as "Shemsu".
Kemetic Orthodoxy has attracted attention from sociologists and Egyptologists for its size, prominence on the internet, and its influence on Kemeticism as a whole. Many other Kemetic groups have emerged from or defined themselves in relation to it. The presence of a central authority and emphasis on tradition within Kemetic Orthodoxy sets it apart from other predominantly online-organized religions. It also challenges early theories about the nature of religion on the internet.
Main beliefs
Kemetic Orthodoxy is based on the religious practices of Ancient Egypt, although it is not strictly a reconstructionist religion. While it draws from primary Egyptian sources, it also incorporates additional rites developed by Siuda and incorporates elements from other modern African Traditional Religions and African diaspora religions.The belief system of Kemetic Orthodoxy centers around five principal tenets, often described as four main tenets unified by a fundamental commitment to upholding ma'at. These tenets are not considered dogma by the organization. Instead, they serve as a foundation for the beliefs of most Kemetic Orthodoxy members, but individual beliefs may vary. The religion does not mandate uniformity in practice, and differing viewpoints are seen as different ways of understanding God, or Netjer.
Belief in upholding Ma'at
In Ancient Egyptian religion, Ma'at represents the principles of truth, justice, and balance, as well as the goddess embodying these ideals. Upholding Ma'at is of great importance in Kemetic Orthodox practice. The rituals and prayers performed by members are considered to contribute to the preservation and promotion of Ma'at. Additionally, members are encouraged to take tangible steps in addressing social justice matters. The House of Netjer has publicly denounced police violence and anti-immigration policies in the USA.Belief in Netjer (the supreme being)
Kemetic Orthodoxy holds the belief that the Ancient Egyptian gods are manifestations of a supreme being known as Netjer, which can be translated as "divine power". These manifestations are referred to as the "Names" of Netjer. While the House of Netjer's website may describe this belief as monolatry, it is more accurately characterized as inclusive monotheism. The Names are understood to encompass personal deities, impersonal forces, and metaphorical concepts simultaneously. It is also recognized that Names can merge and identify with one another, resulting in historically documented syncretizations, such as Sekhmet-Hathor. Siuda believes that the gods manifest in this way to allow for human comprehension.Members of Kemetic Orthodoxy report receiving communication from Netjer through dreams, omens, divination, and sensing its presence in natural phenomena.
Akhu (Ancestor) veneration
Members of Kemetic Orthodoxy believe that their ancestors reside in the Duat as Akhu. As Akhu have already experienced human life, it is believed that they can offer valuable guidance and support to their descendants in matters related to daily life. Honoring the Akhu is seen as a way to ensure their happiness and contentment in the Duat.There are various ways in which members believe they can honor their Akhu. These practices range from maintaining household ancestor shrines where offerings can be made, to writing letters addressed to the Akhu and posting them on a dedicated website, similar to the tradition of writing letters to the deceased in Ancient Egypt.
Within Kemetic Orthodoxy, Akhu are generally classified into three categories: Family, National, and Associational.
Family Akhu encompass deceased family members such as parents, siblings, and children.
National Akhu are associated with the Kemetic Orthodoxy organization. This can be compared to the veneration of pharaohs or other individuals in Ancient Egypt.
Associational Akhu include any other Akhu connected to an individual, whether through direct contact with the Akhu, shared interests, or other reasons for forming a bond. Examples may include celebrities or political leaders.
Participation in and respect for the community
Members are encouraged to view Kemetic Orthodoxy as an extended spiritual community. The House of Netjer provides resources such as spiritual counseling, discussion groups, and fellowship chats over IRC and on their forum to foster a sense of belonging and connection among members. Kemetic Orthodoxy also places importance on the role of family in the personal lives of adherents, promoting the cultivation of strong relationships and understanding with family members. This concept is closely tied to the principle of Akhu veneration, highlighting the value placed on honoring and maintaining bonds with one's ancestors.Image:Double crown.svg|thumb|150px|The Double Crown is a symbol of kingship, and thus of the Nisut. The two parts of the crown symbolize the two halves of Ancient Egypt.Acknowledgment of Siuda as the Nisut
During her tenure, the recognition of Tamara L. Siuda as the spiritual leader, or Nisut-Bity, held significant importance within Kemetic Orthodoxy. The teachings and guidance provided by Siuda form the foundation of the religion. Additionally, adherents believe that the Nisut embodies the current manifestation of the "kingly ka" or invested spirit of Heru. Upon her coronation in 1996, Siuda's followers believed she became the 196th Pharaoh of the Ancient Egyptian religion. In Ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh held both political and religious authority, serving as the direct link between the people and Netjer. However, within Kemetic Orthodoxy, Siuda's role primarily focused on the religious aspect of this position. As the Nisut, Siuda fulfilled various responsibilities, including performing daily rituals to uphold ma'at and counter isfet, offering regular prayers for the members of the faith, and providing guidance on religious matters to her followers. Adherents do not worship Siuda as a deity but attribute to her a semi-divine status.Siuda publicly announced her abdication from the position of Nisut on August 1, 2023, stating that the role placed too much responsibility and authority on one person. She additionally expressed that she had been hesitant to take on the role to begin with, but believed that Netjer deemed it necessary at the time. The organizational structure that Kemetic Orthodoxy will now take has not yet been determined.
Worship
Worship practices in Kemetic Orthodoxy encompass a variety of forms. The religion includes official rituals conducted by the priesthood and the Nisut of Kemetic Orthodoxy. Additionally, there is a daily rite called [|Senut] performed by temple members. Individual practitioners also have the freedom to engage in more personalized forms of worship.Kemetic Orthodoxy adheres to a festival calendar that draws inspiration from historical sources. This calendar aligns with the celestial phenomena observed in ancient calendars, but it is adjusted based on the position of the modern "royal residence" at the organization's main temple and headquarters in Joliet.
Group worship
There are various types of group rituals in Kemetic Orthodoxy, some of which can be conducted in person while others are simulcasted through Internet Relay Chat. In simulcasted rituals, participants in the chat room are informed about the ongoing activities by a priest who is physically present at the Truth and the Mother Shrine. At certain points, participants joining remotely may be asked to perform a ritual action at home and notify the attending priest in the chat room once completed.Kemetic Orthodoxy has a significant online presence. Siuda said it is a religion that exists on the internet rather than an internet-based religion. Offline gatherings and rituals are also organized by members of Kemetic Orthodoxy. The Kemetic New Year, Wep Ronpet, is a notable event that takes place at Tawy House in August, where members come together for rituals, fellowship, lectures, and workshops.
One example of group worship in Kemetic Orthodoxy is Saq, as mentioned by Krogh & Pillifant. Saq involves ritual possession, where a specialized priest is believed to be fully possessed by a deity. Through this medium, the deity communicates with members of Kemetic Orthodoxy and accepts offerings. Saq rituals can be conducted entirely in person or simulcasted online, with participants in the online platform sending messages to the attending priest, who then relays them to the deity during possession. It is described as one of the most profound and immediate experiences in Kemetic Orthodoxy.
Personal/Individual worship
Individuals engage in worship through a wide range of practices, encompassing both structured rituals and spontaneous prayers. Worship is a continuous and personal process. Here are a few examples of personal worship and rituals:Personal shrines
Most members of Kemetic Orthodoxy incorporate household shrines into their devotional practices. These shrines serve as a dedicated space for worshiping the deities they follow. The essential components of a shrine include an incense burner or diffuser, a lamp or candle, and a designated area for offerings. The shrine may feature representations of specific deities or have a more generalized focus. It often contains objects that have been offered to the deities. Individuals utilize these shrines to perform various rituals, including the daily rite of Senut. They may honor deities they feel a particular connection to, deities associated with specific festivals or seasons, or deities for whom they have a specific request.Alongside these personal shrines dedicated to deities, members of Kemetic Orthodoxy are encouraged to establish shrines to their ancestors or Akhu as part of ancestor veneration. These shrines typically hold mementos and items associated with deceased individuals who were close to the member. They serve as the central focal point for honoring ancestors within the member's home.