The tale of Dedi, an ancient Egyptian magician from the Westcar Papyrus, tells of his remarkable powers to resurrect animals and perform magical feats for Pharaoh Khufu. Though likely myth, his story is among the earliest records of illusion, reflecting ancient Egyptian views on magic, prophecy, and the sacred role of priestly wisdom.
The oldest trick in the book can be traced back all the way to 2600 BC, where ancient Egyptian magicians attempted to control the fabric of reality by harnessing magical power from their environment and enchanting the minds and heads of ancient Egyptians. Magic may have been first documented in the history of Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu (2589–2566 BC) of the 4th dynasty.
One of the oldest magicians in the history of Egypt is known as the Dedi, who might have been the most renowned warlock at the dawn of time. The name Dedi was the name of a famous ancient Egyptian magician who was mentioned in the epic Westcar Papyrus, who had many tales of him working a lot of wonders and miracles that even captivated the attention of many pharaohs.
Dedi was mentioned in the 4th story found in the Incredible Westcar Papyrus, but there is no historical and archaeological evidence that he ever existed in the first place. His name was translated to “He Who Endures”. For many years, he was the object of great interest for Egyptologists and Historians. His mentioned magic tricks are connected to the cultural perceptions of Pharaoh Khufu’s personality. Djedi was seen as a commoner, but was made a mysterious character with an extraordinary age who also had several magical powers and had a great talent for producing prophecies.
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All the information that we know about the marvels of Dedi comes from the westcar papyrus that narrates the son of king Khufu, Prince Djedefhor who stood before his father where her mentioned that there is someone who lived under his majesty who has great power of able to make any ignoramus wise, so Khufu asked for his name, then the prince said a commoner known as Djed-Sneferu who was believed to be a simple citizen who is 110 years who feed everyday on 500 creed loaves, Beef shoulder, and 100 beer jars. He is said to have the power of resurrecting all kinds of decapitated beings and taming wild lions to become obedient to the point where he would drag them on the ground with a cord.
Dedi has a knowledge of the full number of Iput, which is found in the wenet-sanctuary of one of the most famous ancient Egyptian gods, the god of writings and knowledge Thoth. Khufu admired these claims, which he wished to add to his horizon, and ordered his son to bring him to the royal palace. Prince Djedefhor began his quest during the schemu season and traveled to the Djed-Sneferu. The Djedi was found by the prince, and the old man was invited to the king’s palace. Djedefhor honored Djedi, who looked like an elderly person who lived free from illness. The prince came to summon him from his father, where he would eat from the delicacies of his father and be in the presence of the great ancestors in the necropolis.
Djedi was honored by the invitation and declared that he accepts this amazing chance from Khufu, the justified, and wished his Ka defeat all his enemies and his Ba know all the ways across the gateway of the underworld. The Prince brings Dedi with all his books and scholars, and they head to Khufu’s royal palace.
When Djedefhor and Dedi arrived at the royal palace, King Khufu welcomed both of them and then began to question them about whether all the tales and legends about him were true. Khufu then challenges the wizard if he can mend a severed head like he is famed to be able to do, the king orders a prisoner to be executed so the magician can put his head back. Dedi refused as he did not want any man to suffer, so instead the magician chose three animals.
The first was the goose that was decapitated, and the body was placed on the western side of the audience hall, and its head was placed on the eastern side. After Djedi cast a certain spell, the head of the goose stood up and began to waddle, and the body started doing the same. Both body parts met in the middle and merged together like before, then the goose leaves the royal court cackling like any bird. The exact same performance was done on a bull and a water bird, and both were brought back to life in the same manner. King Khufu was impressed.
Pharaoh Khufu asked the wizard if he knew the Number of the Iput within the Wnt-sanctuary of Thoth. Dedi answered that he did not know, but he knew where to find them, which was in a box of scrolls, which was made of flint and was stored in the archive room in Heliopolis. The king commanded the wizard to take the box, but Djedi said that he was not the one to bring it, but it was the eldest of the three children found in the womb of Reddedjet, who was the wife of the lord of Sachebu, a wab priest of the god Ra.
The god has overshadowed that the third son will worship Ra ad the high priest of Heliopolis, over the whole kingdom. King Khufu asked with a grim face when this Rededjet would give birth. The Magician said on the 15th day during the first month of the Pere-season. Djedi promised the king that he would make the waters at the strong spots of the canal of Two Mugilidae four cubits in height for his excellence, so he could visit the temple of Ra at Heliopolis and see for himself. The king was once again blessed and assigned Djedi a chamber within the palace of his son Djedefhor, and each day 100 jars of beer, 1000 loaves of bread, one neat and 100 bundles of field garlic were delivered each morning.
Across the history of the civilization ancient Egypt, we witness fragments of enchanting stories of ancient Egyptian magicians across the art of the ancient Egyptians which was the echo of the sacred skill of the temple priests who were able to harnessed the secrets of physics, mechanics, medicine, chemistry, and pneumatics to wield influence over Pharaoh's subjects. Many tales narrate the Egyptian wizards' ability to create animated idols' voices from sound chambers in the temple and conjure fire and water from stone mouths.
The legend of Dedi and his encounter with Pharaoh Khufu was documented by an anonymous scribe more than 5000 years ago, thus making Dedi's famed "Cut and Restored Goose" illusion a remarkable artifact. It's widely regarded as the first documented conjuror's trick by many archaeologists and experts.
This ancient papyrus remained a mystery until it was comprehensively edited and translated by the German Egyptologist Adolf Erman in 1885–1890. The enigma and enchantment emitted from these papyrus, which was discovered by an amateur Egyptologist Henry Westcar, it later found its home in the Berlin State Museum in 1884 has shed light on a new aspect of the ancient Egyptian society.
Many scholars today doubt the happening of the story, if it was a product of embellishment and imagination, nothing more than a fictional tale. Many modern-day magicians have created a similar trick as in a recent episode of the revamped Penn and Teller show, "Fool Us," English magician Ali Cook wowed audiences with a dual decapitation trick involving a duck and a chicken. Upon restoration, the chicken's head adorned the duck's body, and vice versa.
The tale of Dedi is by far the most renowned story that came out from the Westcar Papyrus, which had a very a number of important tales like The Prophecy of Neferti, Lepper and Lichtheim. This story has had a long and ever-lasting influence on Egyptian authors, establishing their presence in the cultural and literary landscape for an extended period. All our respected travelers will have the chance to enjoy the most marvelous and fun travel experience by boarding a magical Nile cruise and an epic Egypt tour.
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The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.
Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.
You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.
Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.
The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.
Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.
Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.
The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.
The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.
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