Autobiography of Harkhuf
An offering made possible by the king, who sends Anubis to the sanctuary, to officiate at the shrine in the mortuary, as lord of the graveyard. May he rest in his tomb in the western desert, as an elder honored by God.
Accountant, governor in Upper Egypt, royal notary, best friend, elder, chief of scouts, respecter of Tah and Osiris, Harkhuf.
This is made possible by the king, who sends Osiris to Busiris. May his journey on the holy western road be peaceful and safe. May he ascend to God, lord of heaven, and be welcomed.
Accountant, administrator, sheriff of Nekhen, mayor of Nekheb, best friend, elder, respecter of Osiris, Harkhuf. This is made possible by the king, who protects the graveyards. May I be reborn by the priests every New Year's day, at every celebration of Thoth, at every solstice celebration, at every holiday and every celebration of Osiris.
I have left my city and stepped down from my nome. I have built a house, fitted with doors. I have dug a well and planted sycamores. I was loyal to the king. I received the inheritance of my father. I was worthy. Loved by my father, praised by my mother, friends with my siblings. I gave bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and a hand to those who were drowning.
You who live upon the earth, passing by this tomb going north or south, if you praise me as much as a thousand loaves of bread and a thousand mugs of beer, I will watch over you. I am a skilled spirit. A magician who knows how to cast spells. If anyone enters this tomb to desecrate I will seize him like a goose and he will be judged by God.
I was a man who was decent, who talked of good things and never gossiped to my superiors, because I desired a good standing in God's eyes. I never settled disputes by depriving a son of his father's inheritance.
I brought foreign trade to Egypt, and gifts to the King. I governed the mountain lands in the south, spreading the fear of Horus into the wilderness, and was always loyal to the King.
Harkuf says: His majesty Mernere sent me and my father Iri to Yam (NW Sudan) to open a trade route. We did it in 7 months, bringing back all sorts of beautiful and rare things, and we were praised. The second time I went alone. I left for Yebu, then to Mekher, Terers, and Irtjet. After 8 months I returned with many great things, never before seen. I went into the houses of the chiefs of Setju and Irtjet, and I explored their lands. None of the other scouts in Yam had done that much.
Then his majesty sent me to Yam a third time. I left the nome of This on the oasis road. But the ruler of Yam had left for Libya, to drive the Libyans to the western corner of heaven. I went to Libya and helped him, and he praised all the gods for Egypt. I sent a message to let Mernere know that I had gone to Libya with the ruler of Yam to ensure his success. I continued on to the heart of Irtjet and Setju, meeting the ruler of Irtjet, Setju and Wawat. I arrived with 300 donkeys carrying incense, ebony, panther skins, elephant tusks, and all sorts of good things. When the ruler of Irtjet, Setju and Wawat saw the size of my caravan, accompanied by my men from Egypt, he negotiated with me personally. He gave me cattle and goats, and showed me the mountain paths of Irtjet. It was because of my excellent foresight, better than any other chief of scouts who had come to Yam before.
On my return to the capitol my friend and chief of warehouses, Kuni, came to meet me with ships full of wine and cake, bread and beer.
From Pepi II, Year 2, March 15th.
The King replies to his good friend, elder and chief of scouts, Harkhuf. We have received your letter at the palace, letting us know you are returning safely from Yam, with the men you set out with.
You have said that you are bringing all sorts of wonderful things, fit for Hathor of Imaau to give to Pharoah Neferkare eternal. You have said that you bring a child who dances to God, from the land of the horizon dwellers, like the child Bawerd brought from Punt in the time of King Isesi. No one has ever brought such a child from Yam. Truly you know how to serve your lord.
You spend every day and night thinking of what your lord desires. I will provide you with many honors for both you and your sons, for all time. Everyone will say when they hear of this, 'Has anything better been done than what the best friend Harkhuf did when he returned from Yam?' You are vigilant, you do what your lord loves.
Come north to my residence. Bring this child from the land of the horizon dwellers, people who are strong and healthy, who dance for God, lifting the heart, to delight even King Neferkare eternal.
When you board the ship, make sure he is watched, lest he fall overboard. When he sleeps, have guards stand watch, checking on him ten times every night. I desire to see this child more then all the treasures of Sinai and Punt. When you arrive with this child, strong and healthy, I will do great things for you, more than was done for Bawerd in the reign of King Isesi.
Orders have been given to the governors along your route, and to the priests, to furnish you with whatever supplies you need, from every barracks, warehouse, and temple without exception.