I always tell my kids, Black History doesn’t start with slavery! It starts with Kings and Queens! Our people descended from royalty! Which makes it only fitting to start a Black History journey by sharing rich information about the iconic Queen Nefertiti.
I hope you enjoy these 5 amazing facts about the legendary Nefertiti. Be sure to check out the end of the blog post for a list of my favorite children’s books about Nefertiti.
5 things you didn’t know about queen Nefertiti
1. Name Game
First, let’s all enjoy the way Nefertititi just rolls of the tongue. Even without a cool meaning doesn’t it have such a unique sound? But did you know that Nefertiti’s name means “the beautiful woman has come?” Later, she added to her name to make her full name, Neferneferuaten. Her new full name translated to
“beautiful are the beauties of god Aten, a beautiful woman has come.”
How’s that for a name? Just in case you are wondering, Aten, is the name of the Egyptian god they worshiped. Basically, she said… Look at my god’s work! Ain’t they fine! I am the most stunning of them all! Gotta love her!
Make Up by: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanysimons/
2. Nefertiti held many titles
Secondly, It was common for royalty to have many titles, sort of like our modern-day “her royal highness.” Check out these loving names documented for the great Nefertiti.
- Hereditary Princess
- Great of Praises
- Lady of Grace
- Sweet of Love
- Lady of the Two Lands
- Main King’s Wife
- His beloved
- Great King’s Wife
- Lady of all Women
- Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt
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3. The Queen Mother
Nefertiti had six daughters. Despite having no sons, the art of Amarna depicts the royal couple as having a strong, loving relationship.
4. The Unique Queen
Nefertiti is renowned and unique because she was often depicted in a variety of roles. these roles included driving chariots and battling enemies. This was unusual and another reason I love Nefertiti!
5. Nefertiti possibly ruled as Pharaoh after her husband’s death.
Some scholars suggest that Nefertiti is actually the pharaoh to follow Akenaten’s rule. Studies show that she may have renamed herself Smenkhkare.
If true, Nefertiti would have been among other female rulers like female the pharaoh Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut ruled Egypt like a king. It is believed that they even wore the iconic ceremonial false beard.
Children’s Books
Thanks so much for learning more about Nefertiti! I invite you to take a deeper dive by checking out the resources below. And as promised the children’s books are included in this blog post as well. I hope you will share this post and pin it on Pinterest for future reference.
Special thanks to Madison Jones of Outsider Studios for the incredible photography and to Tiffany Simons for the flawless make up. You can follow them both on Instagram.
Photography by: https://www.instagram.com/outsidersstudio/
Make Up by: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanysimons/
xo – Chantea
Sources
History.com –
The Modern Met
Biography.com – https://www.biography.com/royalty/nefertiti
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