By Samson Ogaye
River Nile was an interest for researchers who came to Africa to discover its source. Even before people built homes and cities on its banks. However, they did not practice Agriculture but hunting and gathering. Thanks to the rich alluvial soil deposited at the banks of the River Nile, the ancient folks started practising agriculture. It started in Egypt, and it was the onset of civilization.
In Egypt, the Sahara Desert, the presence of rocks, and the Nile River influenced people to settle at the banks. The Nile flooded every summer renewing the soil fertility. The Egyptians were now able to grow crops and feed themselves. From the Nile waters, they were also able to fish, get water for irrigation and drinking. Therefore, built their houses close together and in inland areas. Farmers that settled further inland built canals for irrigation.
Since the River Nile traverses the other 11 countries, the same was replicated. People built houses and started practising agriculture on its banks. In Ethiopia and people built homes and cities along the banks of the Blue Nile. The same was in Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, etc., which have a share of the White Nile. It originates from Lake Victoria, and it merges with the Blue Nile forming a waterway flowing to Egypt and finally in the Mediterranean Sea. The River Nile was also offered water transport systems. Many communities followed the course of the waterway to their present-day land in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Sudan.
In conclusion, the River Nile pioneered civilization in Egypt, and settlement at the banks in other countries. Its waters encouraged a change in climate, and alluvial soil deposits made lands fertile. The river is still a vital source of water for irrigation, drinking, and other usages in present-day Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, among other countries.
Africa Global News Publication
