A Suez Canal blockage disturbing global markets, two trains colliding with each other, a garment factory blaze and a residential building collapse all came hot on the heels of Egypt's announcement that it would transfer 22 mummies to a new resting place, fueling a century-old curse of the pharaohs mystery.
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On Saturday, Egypt will hold a "royal parade" preceded by a glitzy ceremony in the iconic Tahrir Square, from where the mummies will be taken to a newly inaugurated museum in Cairo's old Islamic city of Fustat.
© Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters Men pass in front of a poster for The Pharaohs' Golden Parade in Cairo for the transfer of 22 mummies from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat, April 1, 2021.
In March alone, a giant container ship stuck diagonally across a narrow stretch of the Suez Canal kept the world on its feet, bringing trade movement to a standstill for almost a week, while an accident involving two trains south of the country and a factory fire east of Cairo left dozens dead.
An alleged inscription found on Tutankhamun's tomb that "death will come swiftly to those who disturb the tomb of the king" came to the forefront of amusing online talks that were interrupted by some skeptics seeking real and serious answers.
"Egypt is moving some royal mummies to a new Grand Museum with a parade & all .. word on the street is that the high winds & everything that's happening now is the legendary pharaohs' curse .. and i like this explanation coz its very exotic," Ola G. El-Taliawi said on Twitter.
Some called on Egypt "to keep the mummies asleep," while others questioned whether recent accidents are an indication that the curse has awakened.
"Guys, the curse of the pharaohs is no joke," Usama Essam wrote on Twitter.
On Saturday, Egypt will hold a "royal parade" preceded by a glitzy ceremony in the iconic Tahrir Square, from where the mummies will be taken to a newly inaugurated museum in Cairo's old Islamic city of Fustat.
© Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters Men pass in front of a poster for The Pharaohs' Golden Parade in Cairo for the transfer of 22 mummies from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat, April 1, 2021.In March alone, a giant container ship stuck diagonally across a narrow stretch of the Suez Canal kept the world on its feet, bringing trade movement to a standstill for almost a week, while an accident involving two trains south of the country and a factory fire east of Cairo left dozens dead.
An alleged inscription found on Tutankhamun's tomb that "death will come swiftly to those who disturb the tomb of the king" came to the forefront of amusing online talks that were interrupted by some skeptics seeking real and serious answers.
"Egypt is moving some royal mummies to a new Grand Museum with a parade & all .. word on the street is that the high winds & everything that's happening now is the legendary pharaohs' curse .. and i like this explanation coz its very exotic," Ola G. El-Taliawi said on Twitter.
Some called on Egypt "to keep the mummies asleep," while others questioned whether recent accidents are an indication that the curse has awakened.
"Guys, the curse of the pharaohs is no joke," Usama Essam wrote on Twitter.
© Cris Bouroncle/AFP via Getty Images, FILE People take photos of the mummified remains of Queen Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt's most famous female pharaoh, after being unveiled at the Cairo Museum in Egypt on June 27, 2007.
The mystery has its origins in the earth-shattering discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun, the boy king widely known as King Tut, in Luxor's Valley of the Kings in 1922. The death of a few members of British Egyptologist Howard Carter's team in subsequent years and the alleged inscription reported by journalists at the time sparked frenzy.MORE: Egypt uncovers possible 'world's oldest brewery' in ancient city
Organizers of Saturday's parade, which is expected to attract worldwide interest, made light of what some might deem an unwelcome distraction.
One of the organizers is famous Egyptologist and Egypt's former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass, who has always described the curse of the pharaohs as "mere nonsense."
"This is only speculation that people make and a misconception. Such talks will not do any harm to the parade. On the contrary, it will add to the excitement and interest surrounding the event," Hawass told ABC News.
The mystery has its origins in the earth-shattering discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun, the boy king widely known as King Tut, in Luxor's Valley of the Kings in 1922. The death of a few members of British Egyptologist Howard Carter's team in subsequent years and the alleged inscription reported by journalists at the time sparked frenzy.MORE: Egypt uncovers possible 'world's oldest brewery' in ancient city
Organizers of Saturday's parade, which is expected to attract worldwide interest, made light of what some might deem an unwelcome distraction.
One of the organizers is famous Egyptologist and Egypt's former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass, who has always described the curse of the pharaohs as "mere nonsense."
"This is only speculation that people make and a misconception. Such talks will not do any harm to the parade. On the contrary, it will add to the excitement and interest surrounding the event," Hawass told ABC News.
© Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters Workers prepare for the transfer of 22 mummies from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat in Cairo on April 1, 2021.
"This is not the first time that mummies are transferred," he said. "In 1881, mummies were taken from Luxor and put in a boat for three days until they reached Cairo … and the mummy of Ramses II once had its strips of linen removed in front of khedive Tewfik (Egypt's ruler in the late 19th century) and nothing happened."MORE: Egypt unlocks more secrets in Saqqara with discovery of temple, sarcophagi
He added, "The curse is a myth, and the inscription they speak about is non-existent."
Whatever the rumors may be, the 22 mummies are gearing up for a parade that might be reminiscent of their heydays in ancient times.
"Even if the curse exists, it won't be activated on Saturday because the mummies know that they are going to a new place where they will be honored," Hawass quipped.
"This is not the first time that mummies are transferred," he said. "In 1881, mummies were taken from Luxor and put in a boat for three days until they reached Cairo … and the mummy of Ramses II once had its strips of linen removed in front of khedive Tewfik (Egypt's ruler in the late 19th century) and nothing happened."MORE: Egypt unlocks more secrets in Saqqara with discovery of temple, sarcophagi
He added, "The curse is a myth, and the inscription they speak about is non-existent."
Whatever the rumors may be, the 22 mummies are gearing up for a parade that might be reminiscent of their heydays in ancient times.
"Even if the curse exists, it won't be activated on Saturday because the mummies know that they are going to a new place where they will be honored," Hawass quipped.
THE ORIGINAL MUMMY'S CURSE
Majestic Cairo parade as Egyptian mummies move museum
By Nadeen Ebrahim
Authorities are shutting down roads along the Nile for the elaborate ceremony, designed to drum up interest in Egypt's rich collections of antiquities when tourism has almost entirely stalled because of COVID-19 related restrictions.
By Nadeen Ebrahim
Reuters/MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY FILE PHOTO: Men pass in front of poster for pharaohs golden parade in Cairo
CAIRO (Reuters) - A grand parade will convey 22 ancient Egyptian royal mummies in specially designed capsules across the capital Cairo on Saturday to a new museum home where they can be displayed in greater splendour.
The convoy will transport 18 kings and four queens, mostly from the New Kingdom, from the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo's Tahrir Square to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat, about 5km (3 miles) to the south-east.
CAIRO (Reuters) - A grand parade will convey 22 ancient Egyptian royal mummies in specially designed capsules across the capital Cairo on Saturday to a new museum home where they can be displayed in greater splendour.
The convoy will transport 18 kings and four queens, mostly from the New Kingdom, from the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo's Tahrir Square to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat, about 5km (3 miles) to the south-east.
Reuters/MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY FILE PHOTO:
A pharaonic ram is seen after the renovation of Tahrir Square for transfering 22 mummies from the Egyptian Museum, in Tahrir, to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, in Fustat, amidst the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19),
Authorities are shutting down roads along the Nile for the elaborate ceremony, designed to drum up interest in Egypt's rich collections of antiquities when tourism has almost entirely stalled because of COVID-19 related restrictions.
Reuters/MOHAMED ABD E
L GHANY FILE PHOTO: The Ramses II obelisk is seen after the renovation of Tahrir Square for transferring 22 mummies from the Egyptian Museum, in Tahrir, to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, in Fustat, in Cairo
Each mummy will be placed in a special capsule filled with nitrogen to ensure protection, and the capsules will be carried on carts designed to cradle them and provide stability, Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass said.
Each mummy will be placed in a special capsule filled with nitrogen to ensure protection, and the capsules will be carried on carts designed to cradle them and provide stability, Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass said.
"We chose the Civilization Museum because we want, for the first time, to display the mummies in a civilized manner, an educated manner, and not for amusement as they were in the Egyptian Museum," he said.
© Reuters/MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY FILE PHOTO: The Ramses II obelisk is seen after the renovation of Tahrir Square for transferring 22 mummies from the Egyptian Museum, in Tahrir, to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, in Fustat, in Cairo
Archaeologists discovered the mummies in two batches at the complex of mortuary temples of Deir Al Bahari in Luxor and at the nearby Valley of the Kings from 1871.
Archaeologists discovered the mummies in two batches at the complex of mortuary temples of Deir Al Bahari in Luxor and at the nearby Valley of the Kings from 1871.
© Reuters/MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY FILE PHOTO: Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass speaks during an interview with Reuters at his office in Cairo
The oldest is that of Seqenenre Tao, the last king of the 17th Dynasty, who reigned in the 16th century BC and is thought to have met a violent death.
The parade will also include the mummies of Ramses II, Seti I, and Ahmose-Nefertari.
Fustat was the site of Egypt's capital under the Umayyad dynasty after the Arab conquest.
"By doing it like this, with great pomp and circumstance, the mummies are getting their due," said Salima Ikram, an Egyptologist at the American University in Cairo.
"These are the kings of Egypt, these are the pharaohs. And so, it is a way of showing respect."
(Additional reporting by Sayed Shaesha; Writing by Nadeen Ebrahim and Aidan Lewis; editing by Barbara Lewis)
The oldest is that of Seqenenre Tao, the last king of the 17th Dynasty, who reigned in the 16th century BC and is thought to have met a violent death.
The parade will also include the mummies of Ramses II, Seti I, and Ahmose-Nefertari.
Fustat was the site of Egypt's capital under the Umayyad dynasty after the Arab conquest.
"By doing it like this, with great pomp and circumstance, the mummies are getting their due," said Salima Ikram, an Egyptologist at the American University in Cairo.
"These are the kings of Egypt, these are the pharaohs. And so, it is a way of showing respect."
(Additional reporting by Sayed Shaesha; Writing by Nadeen Ebrahim and Aidan Lewis; editing by Barbara Lewis)
Grand parade in Cairo as Egyptian mummies move to new museum
Issued on: 03/04/2021 -
Text by:FRANCE 24
Video by:FRANCE 24
A grand parde will convey 22 ancient Egyptian royal mummies in specially designed capsules across the capital Cairo on Saturday to a new museum home where they can be displayed in greater splendour.
The convoy will transport 18 kings and four queens, mostly from the New Kingdom, from the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo's Tahrir Square to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat, about 5km (3 miles) to the south-east.
Authorities are shutting down roads along the Nile for the elaborate ceremony, designed to drum up interest in Egypt's rich collections of antiquities when tourism has almost entirely stalled because of Covid-19 related restrictions.
Each mummy will be placed in a special capsule filled with nitrogen to ensure protection, and the capsules will be carried on carts designed to cradle them and provide stability, Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass said.
"I am delighted that the mummies will find a new home in the Civilisation Museum, where they will be displayed for educational and civilisation purposes, and not for amusement as they were in the Egyptian Museum," he said.
"I am certain the parade will capture the hearts of people everywhere," Hawass added.
Archaeologists discovered the mummies in two batches at the complex of mortuary temples of Deir Al Bahari in Luxor and at the nearby Valley of the Kings from 1871.
The oldest is that of Seqenenre Tao, the last king of the 17th Dynasty, who reigned in the 16th century BC and is thought to have met a violent death.
The parade will also include the mummies of Ramses II, Seti I, and Ahmose-Nefertari.
Fustat was the site of Egypt's capital under the Umayyad dynasty after the Arab conquest.
"By doing it like this, with great pomp and circumstance, the mummies are getting their due," said Salima Ikram, an Egyptologist at the American University in Cairo.
"These are the kings of Egypt, these are the pharaohs. And so, it is a way of showing respect."
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
Issued on: 03/04/2021 -
Text by:FRANCE 24
Video by:FRANCE 24
A grand parde will convey 22 ancient Egyptian royal mummies in specially designed capsules across the capital Cairo on Saturday to a new museum home where they can be displayed in greater splendour.
The convoy will transport 18 kings and four queens, mostly from the New Kingdom, from the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo's Tahrir Square to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat, about 5km (3 miles) to the south-east.
Authorities are shutting down roads along the Nile for the elaborate ceremony, designed to drum up interest in Egypt's rich collections of antiquities when tourism has almost entirely stalled because of Covid-19 related restrictions.
Each mummy will be placed in a special capsule filled with nitrogen to ensure protection, and the capsules will be carried on carts designed to cradle them and provide stability, Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass said.
"I am delighted that the mummies will find a new home in the Civilisation Museum, where they will be displayed for educational and civilisation purposes, and not for amusement as they were in the Egyptian Museum," he said.
"I am certain the parade will capture the hearts of people everywhere," Hawass added.
Archaeologists discovered the mummies in two batches at the complex of mortuary temples of Deir Al Bahari in Luxor and at the nearby Valley of the Kings from 1871.
The oldest is that of Seqenenre Tao, the last king of the 17th Dynasty, who reigned in the 16th century BC and is thought to have met a violent death.
The parade will also include the mummies of Ramses II, Seti I, and Ahmose-Nefertari.
Fustat was the site of Egypt's capital under the Umayyad dynasty after the Arab conquest.
"By doing it like this, with great pomp and circumstance, the mummies are getting their due," said Salima Ikram, an Egyptologist at the American University in Cairo.
"These are the kings of Egypt, these are the pharaohs. And so, it is a way of showing respect."
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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