As February marks Black History Month, American photographer Chester Higgins Jr. presents 'Sacred Nile,' a book capturing the Nile River's enduring cultural and historical role across Africa. The work traces connections from Ethiopia's highlands to Egypt, emphasizing shared heritage and continuity. It arrives amid reflections on projects like Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
In his latest publication, 'Sacred Nile,' Chester Higgins Jr., a veteran photographer who contributed to The New York Times for 38 years, delves into the Nile as more than a river but a symbol of layered histories and human connections. First visiting Egypt and Ethiopia in 1973, Higgins has since documented ancient sites and religious ceremonies in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt. His images, familiar to Ethiopian viewers through depictions of Lalibela's rock-hewn churches and the Omo Valley's cultural life, now focus on the river's path from the Blue Nile's origin in the Ethiopian highlands, through Sudanese gorges, to Egypt.
Collaborating with writer Betsy Kissam, who has joined his expeditions for decades, this marks their fourth book together. Author Maaza Mengiste praises the collection: "What makes Sacred Nile so spectacular and singular is what emerges from every image: an artist’s compassionate and intelligent gaze, sustained by an abiding faith in the sacredness of each human being."
Published by Tadias Magazine in February 2026, the book aligns with Black History Month themes of continuity and shared creativity across the African diaspora. It echoes contemporary developments, such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam's inauguration in September 2025, now Africa's largest hydroelectric facility, highlighting ongoing stories of water and national vision. Higgins's global exhibitions and UN appearances underscore the work's reach, inviting exploration of cultural ties from Addis Ababa to the Nile Valley.
The book is available on Amazon, with more details at sacrednile.com.