Kemeticism in Russia

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive overview of Russian Kemecitism, a neopagan movement based on the reconstruction of ancient Egyptian religion. It begins by defining the term “Kemeticism” and briefly describing the most active Russianlanguage Kemetic communities. Special attention is paid to the Sun Above My Head (SAMH) community, whose materials constitute the main source of data for the study. The article then examines characteristic features of Russian Kemeticism, including the informal nature of its communities, the absence of a unified organization, diversity of beliefs, and elements of digital religion, all of which complicate attempts to estimate the number of Kemetics in Russia. Drawing on participant observation, interviews, and content analysis, the study identifies both features shared by Kemetics and adherents of other neo-pagan movements and features specific to Kemeticism. The latter include the concepts of Maat and Isfet. Particular attention is given to Kemetic self-identification, the sources from which practitioners obtain information about the gods, and the phenomenon of “unverified personal gnosis.” The discussion of priesthood suggests a deliberate reluctance to define the role of priests in contemporary Kemeticism. The article also examines Kemetic religious practices, including the organization of home altars, the Opening of the Mouth ritual, offerings, and online rituals of praise. The final section discusses the calendar and festivals of the SAMH community, as well as the history of the Kemetic cultural and leisure space Wnt. The author concludes that the Kemetic community in Russia is heterogeneous but continues to develop dynamically and, as the example of SAMH demonstrates, has developed an established set of religious practices. The educational activities of Kemetics, which popularize the history of ancient Egypt and draw on academic scholarship, are also significant.