Introduction

The Great Pyramids of Giza, a marvel of ancient architecture, have long fascinated scholars, tourists, and history enthusiasts alike. These pyramids are a testament to the incredible ingenuity and advanced knowledge of ancient Egyptians. However, over the centuries, their narrative has been appropriated and sometimes altered in an attempt to fit them within a Eurocentric framework. This blog post explores how the pursuit of power and knowledge has led some to label these African monuments as “The Great White Pyramids,” a symbolic yet significant act that reflects deeper issues surrounding cultural appropriation and historical accuracy.

The Intrigue of the Pyramids

From their precise alignment with celestial bodies to their incredibly complex internal structures, the Great Pyramids are an embodiment of ancient wisdom and cultural richness. Historically, they have been a point of intersection for various cultures and scholarly traditions seeking to understand their mysteries. This allure has sometimes led to skewed interpretations or outright appropriation of their history and significance.

The “White Man’s” Search for Power and Knowledge

The characterization of these pyramids as “white” structures is not a benign act. It is, in fact, a manifestation of a broader endeavor to monopolize the narrative around human advancement and civilization. In many instances throughout history, this has been enacted by European scholars and colonialists who have sought to claim history’s marvels as their own, as a way to underline the “superiority” of their culture or race.

The Subtlety of White-Washing

Branding the pyramids as “white” structures may seem like a harmless alteration, but it’s part of a greater pattern of erasing or distorting the contributions of non-European civilizations. When the pyramids are cast as “white,” it not only appropriates the achievements of ancient Egyptians but also subtly implies that such grandeur could only be the result of a culture closely aligned with European ancestry, thereby dismissing the scientific and cultural advancements of African peoples.

The Impact of Misrepresentation

The mischaracterization of these pyramids as “white” is more than an academic issue; it has real-world consequences. Students learning about the pyramids may grow up with skewed perspectives about African capabilities and contributions to human civilization. This can perpetuate stereotypes, biases, and racial prejudices that are already deeply ingrained in many societies.

Toward a More Inclusive Understanding

Challenging these colonial and Eurocentric views requires effort from scholars, educators, and society at large. Accurate representation matters, not just for setting historical records straight, but also for shaping how future generations understand their own identities and the identities of others. An inclusive approach to history recognizes the contributions of all civilizations to human knowledge and refrains from cultural appropriation for the sake of aggrandizing one group over another.

Closing Thoughts

The Great Pyramids of Giza are a testament to the brilliance of ancient Egyptian civilization, and they should be acknowledged as such. Any attempt to recast them as “The Great White Pyramids” is not merely a misrepresentation, but a conscious act of historical manipulation aimed at consolidating power and knowledge. To appreciate the true richness of human history, it’s crucial to understand and represent these magnificent structures for what they are: a monumental achievement of ancient Egyptian ingenuity.

Were the pyramids white in color?

The original outer casing of the Great Pyramids of Giza was made of Tura limestone, which is a white, fine-grained limestone. When the pyramids were first built, they would have been covered with this smooth, white limestone casing, which was polished to create a luminous appearance. Over the millennia, however, most of the original casing stones were removed or eroded, exposing the rougher, core structure that we see today.

It is believed that the original, gleaming white surface of the pyramids would have been highly reflective, catching the sun’s rays and making the structures visible from many miles away. Some scholars even suggest that the pyramids, in their original state, could have been symbolic “Horizon Lights,” guiding travelers or serving a symbolic purpose related to the sun god Ra.

So, yes, originally the pyramids would have been predominantly white in color due to their Tura limestone casing. However, this should not be confused with the erroneous notion that the pyramids were built by a “white civilization,” as the people of ancient Egypt were a diverse group living at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East.

text-to-image at Tao.Studio “the great white pyramid”

Why does the U.S. government make Egyptians white?

The U.S. government’s classification of Egyptians as “white” for the purposes of demographic data and census collection is rooted in historical and bureaucratic definitions rather than any covert or hidden reasons. The categorization stems from the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) definition of “white” as a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. This definition has been used for various purposes, including the decennial U.S. Census, and it affects how demographic data is collected and analyzed.

While the classification has been criticized for several reasons:

1. Erasure of Identity: Critics argue that the broad classification fails to capture the unique experiences, challenges, and discrimination faced by Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) individuals, including Egyptians, in the U.S.
2. Data Inaccuracy: Without a separate MENA category, it’s challenging to collect accurate data on this population, which hampers policy planning, enforcement of civil rights laws, and the distribution of resources.
3. Historical Legacy: The classification may have roots in historical attitudes and Orientalism, which tended to categorize the vast and diverse regions of the Middle East and North Africa under monolithic terms or in relation to European identity.
4. Sociopolitical Considerations: At various times in history, racial and ethnic classifications have been influenced by political agendas, social norms, or attempts to maintain existing power structures, though it’s important to note that these are general observations and not necessarily specific to the Egyptian or MENA categorization.

Advocates for a separate MENA category argue that it would provide a more accurate and nuanced understanding of this diverse population, offering insights that could lead to better policies and community services tailored to their specific needs. However, these proposals have not been implemented.

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