Maryse Dekker

 

Egyptocentric Approaches on Nubian Culture in Scholarship: A case study on the manufacturing of the “Shabti of Senkamanisken”

 

Abstract: This paper investigates whether an Egyptocentric gaze is present within literature on the manufacturing of the Shabti of King Senkamanisken. “Egyptocentrism” is used to describe the portrayal of Egyptian cultural, economic, and political influences as "superior" to regions which surround it. This practice could result in the overshadowing of other cultures. To see whether such a lens is used in the literature, firstly the manufacturing process of a shabti is explained. Subsequently, statements made by various scholars about Nubian shabtis are discussed. This paper argues that there is a lack of research on Nubian shabtis. Despite the use of such burial figures having an Egyptian origin, studies fail to put Nubian shabtis in their own cultural context. Literature on the topic of shabtis shows that scholars created multiple biassed assumptions, which resulted in the indication that Nubian craftsmen were not able to manufacture high-quality figures. Although ancient Nubia is getting more recognition by scholars, this case study shows there is still a persistent Egyptocentric lens within the literature on shabtis.

 

Bio: Maryse Dekker received a bachelor’s degree in Art History with a focus on the Dutch seventeenth-century. During her BA, she co-wrote the book “Gouden Vrouwen van de 17de eeuw: van kunstenaars tot verzamelaars” and helped with the creation of the online exhibition “Vrouwen op Papier”. She is currently following the MA Museum Studies at the University of Amsterdam where she explores her interest in mediaeval art, female artists and postcolonialism.