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Niloa

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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Niles, William Watson

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an anniversary festival among the ancient Egyptians in honor of the tutelar deity of the Nile. Heliodorus alleges it to have been one of the principal festivals of the Egyptians. Sir J. G. Wilkinson thus describes the Niloa: "It took place about the summer solstice, when the river began to rise; and the anxiety with which they looked forward to a plentiful inundation induced them to celebrate it with more than usual honor. Libanius asserts that these rites were deemed of so much importance by the Egyptians that unless they were performed at the proper season and in a becoming manner by the persons appointed to this duty, they felt persuaded that. the Nile would refuse to rise and inundate the land. Their full belief in the efficacy of the ceremony secured its annual performance on a grand scale. Men and women assembled from all parts of the country in the towns of their respective nomes, grand festivities were proclaimed, and all the enjoyments of the table were united with the solemnity of a holy festival Music, the dance, and appropriate hymns marked the respect they felt for the deity; and a wooden statue of the river-god was carried by the priests through the villages in solemn procession, that all might appear to be honored by his presence and aid, which invoked the blessings he was about to confer." Even at the present day the rise of the Nile is hailed by all classes with excessive joy. (See NILE).