Kemetism

Kemetism, also referred to as Kemeticism or Kemetic Paganism, is a modern revival of ancient Egyptian religion. It seeks to reconstruct or reimagine the religious practices, beliefs, and ethics of ancient Egypt in a contemporary context. The movement emerged in the 20th century among neopagan and academic communities and has since grown into a diverse array of groups, temples, and solitary practitioners worldwide.

Practitioners typically worship a pantheon of deities drawn from ancient Egyptian myth, such as Osiris, Isis, Horus, Anubis, Thoth, Sekhmet, Hathor, and Bastet, among many others. Most adherents are polytheistic, though some emphasize one or a few deities more than others. A core concept in many traditions is Ma'at, the ideal of truth, cosmic order, and ethical living, which shapes ritual, ritual purity, and daily behavior. Belief in an afterlife and the ongoing relationship between the living and the dead is common, with varied interpretations of Ka, Ba, and Akh.

Ritual practice commonly includes daily devotion, offerings of food and drink, prayers, and the maintenance of altars or temples—often within homes or community spaces. Festivals and observances may align with ancient Egyptian seasonal cycles or a solar calendar; some groups mark a modern Kemetic New Year, known as Wep Ronpet, with rites and feasts. Textual sources used by practitioners include translations of Pyramid Texts, Coffin Texts, the Book of the Dead, and temple liturgies, though interpretations and applications vary.

Because Kemetism consists of many independent groups rather than a single church, practices and beliefs can differ substantially. The movement emphasizes education, ethical living, and community, and it continues to grow through online networks, scholarly engagement, and local devotional communities.