Egyptian authorities have imposed a ban on Dutch archaeologists following the launch of an exhibition at the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (RMO) in Leiden.
The exhibition, titled ‘Kemet,’ has drawn criticism from Cairo officials for depicting black American singers, comedians, and musicians as rulers of ancient Egypt.
The ‘Kemet’ exhibition, which explores the ancient civilization through jazz, soul, and funk music, presents figures such as Beyoncé and Rihanna as Nefertiti, Nas as Tutankhamun, and Eddie Murphy as Ramesses.
However, these portrayals have been condemned by Egyptian authorities as a form of “falsifying history.”
As a consequence of the controversy, Dutch archaeologists have been banned from the Saqqara burial ground near Cairo. The decision comes as a blow to the RMO, which has been actively involved in excavations in Saqqara since 1975.
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Museum Director Wim Weijland defended the exhibition, expressing that the accusation of falsifying history is inappropriate and asserting that the exhibition was meticulously curated. He called for the withdrawal of the qualification levied against the museum.
This incident follows recent backlash faced by Netflix over the casting of black British actress Adele James as Cleopatra, with critics accusing the show of “blackwashing” despite historical records indicating Cleopatra’s Macedonian-Greek heritage.
The controversy surrounding the ‘Kemet’ exhibition and the Netflix series highlights ongoing debates concerning historical accuracy, representation, and cultural appropriation in the portrayal of ancient civilizations.
