Hieroglyphs are the complete and systematized

conceptualization of all that is; they are an all-embracing knowledge of reality.

Egyptian hieroglyphs express the universe, as it is known and as it exists; they

mean, refer to, the totality of things. It is because of the universe that there are

hieroglyphs. In a sense, all things are hieroglyphs, and hieroglyphs are all things.

This is why it was impossible for the Egyptians to conceive the idea of non-existence

in the sense of the absence of the existent. Since the universe is beauty, abundance,

plentitude, diversity, harmony, and unity, hieroglyphs reproduce by drawings all

these manifestations of the universe.

Everything is in hieroglyphs, such as, in random order, man and his occupations,

woman and her activities, deities, mammals, birds, amphibious animals, reptiles,

fish, insects, plants, trees, sky, earth, mountains, water, buildings, ships, domestic

and funerary furniture, temple furniture and sacred emblems, crowns, dress, staves,

warfare, hunting, butchery, agriculture, crafts and professions, rope, fiber, baskets,

bags, vessels of stone, earthenware, cakes, writing, games, music, geometrical figures,

etc. Hieroglyphs, being about reality in all its diversity, also feature abstract

concepts, such as spirituality, consciousness, love, sexuality, happiness, beauty,

ugliness, rites, eloquence, loyalty, sovereignty, joy, life, power, birth, death, immortality,

motion, wind, knowledge, silence, wisdom, flame, light, day, night, darkness,

fear, alteration, smell, perfume, truth, justice, etc.

The hieroglyphic script is a most complete semiotic system – complete, that is,

systematic, and comprehending everything in the universe. Studying the Egyptian

hieroglyphic script is like being in communication with all that exists. The discipline

of Egyptology involves the learning of the Egyptian system of writing. Egyptian

hieroglyphic writing is found everywhere: on temple walls and columns, tombs,

sacred monuments, and so forth. Painted inscriptions do exist, illustrating the aesthetic

sensibilities of the Egyptian scribes. Egyptian writing reached its full development

around 3200 bc, and thereafter remained fundamentally unchanged for a

period of 3,000 years.

The universal human need for communication and self-expression was graphically

crystallized in the Egyptian script, which sought to represent the form of

the universe itself. This is impressive from both a semantical and a philosophical

standpoint. Africans, at all events, must study the Egyptian language and script.

Obenga, T. (2008). Egypt: Ancient History of African Philosophy. In K. Wiredu (Ed.), A Companion to African Philosophy. Wiley., pp 36-37. https://books.google.com.gh/books?id=DGuJztByFvEC

books.google.com.gh

A Companion to African Philosophy

This volume of newly commissioned essays provides comprehensive coverage of African philosophy, ranging across disciplines and throughout the ages. Offers a distinctive historical treatment of African philosophy. Covers all the main branches of philosophy as addressed in the African tradition. … Continue reading