Kawit (1) (Khawait, Kawait)(fl. 24th century
B.C.E.)Royal woman of the Sixth Dynasty
She was the consort of TETI(r. 2323–2291 B.C.E.). Her
pyramidal complex in SAQQARAhas been eroded over the
centuries.
Kawit (2) (Khawait, Kawait)(fl. 21st century
B.C.E.)Royal companion of the Eleventh Dynasty
She was a member of the HAREM of MONTUHOTEP II
(2061–2010 B.C.E.). Her burial chamber was part of Mon-
tuhotep II’s vast complex at DEIR EL-BAHRIon the western
shore of THEBES. This tomb contained elaborate and
stylish scenes of her cosmetic rituals. Kawit had a SAR-
COPHAGUSthat designated her as “the Sole Favorite of the
King,” a distinction often repeated in other female burials
in Deir el-Bahri.
Kay(fl. 25th century B.C.E.)Priest of the Fourth Dynasty
(2575–2465 B.C.E.) who was beloved by many rulers of
Egypt
Kay served SNEFRU, KHUFU (Cheops), RA’DJEDEF, and
KHAFRE(Chephren). Revered for his years of faithful ser-
vice, Kay was buried in GIZAbeside the Great PYRAMIDof
Khufu. His TOMBcontains beautiful depictions of daily
life, funerary scenes, and human experiences.
Kebawet An early goddess in Egypt, worshiped only
locally and disappearing as the deities of the land
assumed roles in the government and in daily life,
Kebawet was called the goddess of “cold water libations,”
an element considered vital for paradise. She was thus
part of the MORTUARY RITUALS, representing desired
attributes of AMENTIin the West.
Kebir (Qaw el-Kebir) A necropolis on the eastern
shore of the Nile at ASSIUT. Tombs of the Middle Kingdom
(2040–1640 B.C.E.) nomarchs were discovered there.
Three elaborate mortuary complexes at Kebir contained
sophisticated architectural elements, including corridors,
porticos, shrines, and terraces.
“Keeper of the Door to the South” This was the
title given to the viceroys of Kush (Nubia, now modern
Sudan). The governors of ASWANcarried the same title.
The rulers of the Eleventh Dynasty (2040–1991 B.C.E.)
and the Seventeenth Dynasty (1640–1550 B.C.E.), the
lines of Inyotefs and the Ta’os at THEBES, assumed the
same role in their own eras. Controlling Upper Egypt as
contemporaries of the Delta or northern dynasties, these
Thebans ruled as far south as the first cataract of the
Nile or beyond.
Keepers of Time See ASTRONOMY.
Kemanweb (Kemanub)(fl. 19th century B.C.E.)Royal
woman of the Twelfth Dynasty
She was probably the consort of AMENEMHET II (r.
1929–1892 B.C.E.). Kemanweb was buried in Amenemhet
II’s mortuary temple at DASHUR, entombed in the main
structure there. Her coffin was a single trunk of a tree,
hollowed out and inscribed.Kematef See KAMUTEF.Kemenibu(fl. 17th century B.C.E.)Mysterious royal
woman of the Thirteenth Dynasty
A queen, she was a consort of one of the rulers of the
Thirteenth Dynasty. Kemenibu’s tomb was discovered in
the complex of AMENEMHET II(r. 1929–1892 B.C.E.) of the
Twelfth Dynasty at DASHUR.Kem-wer This was a bull, called the “Great Black
One,” established at ATHRIBISin the earliest eras of Egyp-
tian history. Obscure observances were conducted in
honor of this animal in the city, and Kem-wer remained
popular for centuries.
See also APIS; BULLS.Kemyt A scholar’s text cited in the SATIRE ON TRADES,
dating to the Twelfth Dynasty (1991–1783 B.C.E.) or pos-
sibly earlier. Surviving copies were found in ’AMARNAand
in other New Kingdom sites. The Kemytwas a standard
school text in use by the Twelfth Dynasty, particularly for
scribes. In vertical columns, the text provided basic train-
ing in the hieratic script.Kenamun (1)(fl. 15th century B.C.E.)Military naval
superintendent of the Eighteenth Dynasty
Kenamun started his career by serving as the chief stew-
ard of AMENHOTEP II(r. 1427–1401 B.C.E.) and then was
appointed the superintendent of PERU-NEFER, the naval
base near MEMPHIS. Kenamun’s mother, Amenenopet, was
a royal nurse. Kenamun had a special glass SHABTIgiven
to him by the pharaoh.Kenamun (2)(fl. 14th century B.C.E.)Mayor of Thebes
in the Eighteenth Dynasty
He held this important office during the reign of AMEN-
HOTEP III(1391–1353 B.C.E.). THEBESwas a powerful city
in this era, serving as the capital of the Egyptian
Empire. Kenamun was buried on the western shore of
Thebes.kenbet The local and national courts of Egypt that
evolved from the original court called the seru,a council
of nome elders who rendered judicial opinions on cases
brought before them, the kenbet replaced the former
council, the djadjat, of the Old Kingdom (2575–2134196 Kawit