Consolidating the Egyptian Identity in the Nineteenth Century Through Celebrating Ancestral Heritage

Identity is a multifaceted and rather complicated concept that came to the fore with the rise of nationalism in Europe at the turn of the nineteenth century. With Egypt’s drive towards modernity in the course of the nineteenth century, the issue of the Egyptian identity popped up to the surface, drew public attention and aroused a lot of debate. Given that the Egyptian identity is molded by an extremely rich past as well as notable cultural diversity, the identity discourse was far more complicated. This paper explores the relationship between the intensification of the identity discourse in Egypt during the nineteenth century and the rise and expansion of Egyptology. Employing an analytical approach, the paper provides an elaborate account of the Egyptians' endeavor to preserve their own national identity through celebrating their ancestral heritage during the nineteenth century. The paper also reveals the pioneering role of contemporary Egyptian intellectuals like Rifa'a Rafi' al-Ṭahṭāwī in raising the issue of the Egyptian identity and developing deeper understanding of the ancient Egyptian past as a cornerstone of modern Egyptian identity.