Egypt bars Dutch curators from burial site and accuses museum of ‘falsifying history’ for portraying black celebrities Beyoncé, Rihanna, Nas and Eddie Murphy as former leaders
- The exhibition showed Beyoncé and Rihanna as Nefertiti, American rapper Nas as Tutankhamun and Eddie Murphy as Ramses.
Egyptian authorities have banned the Dutch archaeologist from the country after the launch of an exhibit that portrays black American singers, comedians and musicians as the rulers of ancient Egypt.
The Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (RMO) in Leiden has been condemned by the authorities in Cairo following the launch of its exhibition titled “Kemet”.
Kemet, which means “black earth”, explores ancient civilization through jazz, soul and funk music to show “the importance of ancient Egypt and Nubia in the work of musicians from the African diaspora”.
The exhibit shows a number of black American stars as popular Egyptian historical figures. This includes Beyoncé and Rihanna as Nefertiti, American rapper Nas as Tutankhamun, and Eddie Murphy as Ramses.
The exhibition shows a series of black American stars as popular Egyptian historical figures. This includes, Beyoncé and Rihanna as Nefertiti, American rapper Nas as Tutankhamun and Eddie Murphy as Ramesses
Kemet, which means “dark earth”, explores ancient civilization through jazz, soul and funk music to show “the importance of ancient Egypt and Nubia in the work of African diaspora musicians”.
Dutch archaeologists have been banned from the cemetery in Saqqara, near Cairo, over portraits which have been described as ‘falsifying history’
However, Dutch archaeologists have been banned from the Saqqara cemetery near Cairo over the portraits which have been described as “falsifying history”.
Museum director Wim Weijland told a Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad: ‘The accusation of tampering with history is inappropriate. This exhibition has been produced with great care.
“As scientists, you don’t accuse yourself like that. I want this qualification removed.
The controversy comes after Netflix received backlash for its casting of black British actress Adele James as Cleopatra.
The show faced allegations of “blackwashing” after James was cast, despite historical records showing Cleopatra to be Macedonian-Greek.
The ban is a blow to RMO which has been active in Sakkara since 1975.
