Kemetic religion is a modern interpretation of Ancient Egyptian religious practices, with various groups describing themselves as Kemetic. Kemetic revivalism aims to replicate these practices, while Kemetic Orthodoxy treats the faith as ever-changing. Other branches include Kemetic Wiccans and Ausar Auset, which integrates other African beliefs.
The Kemetic religion is a family of religions and related religious practices that are all based on perceptions of the religious beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians. There are a number of major religious groups that all describe themselves as Kemetic in nature, and other groups integrate Kemetic beliefs and practices, without being specifically Kemetic. The “Kemetic” is a reference to “Kemet”, the ancient name of Egypt.
Kemetic religion is a form of neo-paganism, meaning it is a modern interpretation of an ancient religious practice that has died out. This is in contrast to religions such as Christianity, which have been practiced continuously since their inception. Like other neopagan religions, it relies heavily on interpretation and can in fact be significantly different from the religious practices on which it is based.
Ancient Egyptian religion has been practiced for thousands of years by very different individuals and has undoubtedly changed dramatically throughout Egyptian history. This makes it difficult to define any set of beliefs or practices as “authentic,” especially since so many records have been lost.
The development of the Kemetic religion began in the United States in the 1970s, around the same time as many other neo-pagan and New Age religions. This period was characterized by a great interest in religious exploration and a desire to learn more about ancient religions. From the United States, the religion spread to other regions of the world, including Egypt, where today several Kemetic sects practice.
In Kemetic revivalism, also known as traditional Kemetic religion, people strive to remain as true to Ancient Egyptian religious practices and beliefs as possible. Kemetic revivalist practitioners use Egyptian texts and artwork to research religious practices and attempt to replicate them, rather than interpreting and developing related practices. Kemetic Orthodoxy is very similar to Kemetic Revivalism, except that practitioners of Kemetic Orthodoxy treat their faith as a living religion, meaning it is ever-changing, rather than static and faithful to the original.
Kemetic Wiccans combine the neopagan beliefs of Wicca and the Kemetic religion. This form of religion is also sometimes known as Tameran Wicca. Practitioners of Ausar Auset, another branch of the Kemetic religion, integrate the beliefs of other African faiths into their religious observances. Ausar Auset is most commonly seen among members of the African diaspora, reflecting a desire to integrate African heritage and beliefs into families that may have been separated from Africa for multiple generations.
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