Gemuwia

Proud and important family traditions and deep love anchor this place.

January 2018, the west houses have multiplied and rise higher.

In 1897-99 houses occupy the same locations as outlined on the site map published in 1902 (Quibell and Green, Hierakonpolis). Since 2013, more homes stand along feeder canal on west and exit canal on south framing the ancient site, Temple -Town Hierakonpolis. These multi-generational residences expand with their families although they say that they cannot purchase more land. Building four stories may become the rule.

Diversity and recognition of talents and skills of the men and women mark the community as resourceful, self reliant, and rich in intelligence and resilience. Waterlines connect the community with Edfu 19 km to the south and the resident doctor says this chlorinated water has improved their health. Private wells assist all but the houses on northwest where sandy water is found as deep as 16 m. Farmland supports sugar cane to north and clover to feed the live stock.

View to sugar cane fields on north from Temple-Town Hierakonpolis site (2005)

Settlement Gemuwia – houses on west and south side of the ancient Temple-Town site (Google Earth 10 11 2022)

In 1978 Dr. Klaus Baer our Egyptologist learned from the residents that they know this settlement as Gemuwia, man’s name originally. The desert gully, Wadi Abu Sufian is Father Sufian. Families with names connect to the older regional maps, such as Ibrahim broadly labeling this small area. Ibrahim continues to be prominent among named individuals with later families here.

Ibrahim Kabir 1978 (old fuzzy favorite slide – apologies Elizabeth Walters)

Ibrahim in 1997 with daughter and niece, and nephews Salah Siden and Mohamed Saad.

Our first head man was Ibrahim Abd Bast. Good friend from 1978, this kind man assisted project artist Jan Fairservis, wife of Dr. Walter Fairservis, director of the Hierakonpolis Project, 1967-1994. Ibrahim beams with joy and pleasure with his family. In 1997 he was also proud to have new prominence in his family and direct the men in the Temple-Town Hierakonpolis Project.

Mohamed Ibrahim carries on the proud tradition of his father to be steadfast guardian of our fieldwork (2003 pumping tests 10n5w).

January 2022 Haj Saad the project headman after his brother Ibrahim, is the head man and proud of his family – his son Mohamed and nephew AbdlRahman in back holding his grandchildren.

Haj Saad and Haj Sayed in 2003 – the leader of the men at the site with Mohamed Ibrahim , the three gafirs, guards.

All treasure the children delighting our eyes and ears.