What is Medjay Saying? An In-Depth Look at the Fierce Voices of For Honor‘s Elite Egyptian Warriors

Hey there fellow gamer! Terry Williams here, back with another deep dive into the epic history behind one of my new favorite fighter classes in For Honor – the ferocious Medjay. I don‘t know about you, but I get hyped every time I hear the Medjay unleash their ancient Egyptian battle cries as they clash swords and axes with foes. But for us history and language nerds, figuring out what those foreign shouts actually mean makes playing as the Medjay even more rewarding.

In this post, we‘ll decode the mystery behind the Medjay‘s yelling by exploring their origins, rise and fall as pharaoh‘s enforcers, pop culture portrayals, and even breaking down translations of their For Honor fight chanting. Strap in for an electrifying tour through Medjay history that will level up your gameplay!

Who Were the Medjay Initially? – Nomadic Desert Warriors

To understand the Medjay battle cries, we first need to trace their roots. Medjay originally referred to a loose confederation of nomadic Nubian tribes who inhabited the harsh Eastern deserts of modern day Sudan thousands of years ago. Surviving in this unforgiving wasteland environment turned the Medjay into tough and rugged fighters, trackers, and hunters.

As early as 2400 BCE, Egyptian accounts describe employing elite Medjay scouts and mercenaries for desert warfare and trade convoy security. Their mastery of desert survival and combat made the Medjay invaluable allies.

One ancient inscription from the tomb of IntefIQ calls them:

"Medjay of excellence who know the wilderness more than lions."

Even the mighty Roman Empire later recruited Medjay archers into their legions, prizing their skills.

Police and Bodyguards to the Gods on Earth – The Pharaohs

The Medjay‘s loyalty and martial prowess eventually earned them the honor of serving as royal bodyguards and enforcers for the pharaohs during Egypt‘s New Kingdom golden age from around 1500 to 1000 BCE.

As the pharaoh‘s right-hand men, the Medjay quelled rebellions, guarded borders, captured criminals, and hunted down runaway slaves. At their height, the Medjay were revered as:

"The sworn guardians of the pharaoh and the nation, perceived as the very symbol of true honor, courage, and duty." (Assassin‘s Creed wiki)

The chief Medjay official even bore the title "Chief of the Ma", translating to "Chief of the Land".

Top Medjay commanders like Mahu, chief of of Akhenaten‘s police in his capital at Akhet-Aten, held prestigious leadership roles organizing guards and upholding law throughout Egypt.

The Medjay‘s reputation was so prestigous that their badge bore the Eye of Horus, symbolizing their sacred duty to protect the land and its people.

The Decline and Eventual Disappearance of the Medjay

Unfortunately, the era of the Medjay eventually came to an end. During Egypt‘s Third Intermediate Period around 900 BCE, the rise of professional Egyptian military units reduced the need for Medjay mercenaries.

Increased corruption and abuse of power in the later New Kingdom caused the Medjay to lose the trust of the common people they once protected. The Persian conquest of Egypt in 525 BCE marked the final fall of the Medjay, as the new rulers disbanded their organizations which had endured for over 1500 years.

But even after disappearing from history, the mystique of the Medjay has fueled our imaginations to this day…

Mummy Hunters and Tomb Guardians – The Medjai in Pop Culture

The 1999 action adventure smash The Mummy introduced millions of moviegoers to the Medjai, a secretive order of elite desert warriors sworn to guard the ancient tombs of Egypt from looters and evil forces.

With their iconic scimitars, face-covering tattoos, and vigilance against the resurrected Imhotep, the heavily fictionalized Medjai of The Mummy captured the appeal of the real-life Medjay.

These bronze-armored tomb guardians continued battling evil mummies in The Mummy Returns and Tomb of the Dragon Emperor as superhuman protectors battling against the forces of darkness.

Decoding the War Cries and Chants of For Honor‘s Medjay

Now let‘s get back to unraveling the mystery behind the For Honor Medjay‘s epic battle cries!

Listening closely, historians have deciphered the meaning behind their shouts by translating the Arabic, Cushitic, and ancient Egyptian influences:

• "I will reclaim my birthright, by whatever means necessary!" – A defiant vow to retake their former glory days.

• "We are destined to protect this land." – Calling back to their duty as Egypt‘s faithful guardians.

• "I am the edge of the desert!" – Emphasizes their harsh and deadly origins from the arid wastelands.

• "We are the shields that guard the innocent!" – Reminder of their exalted role as symbols of Egypt‘s protection.

• "I am the storm!" – Evokes their fearsome strength and power in battle.

Ubisoft really did an amazing job researching Medjay history to integrate authentic language and cultural touches.

Hearing the war cries and chants in the heat of multiplayer arena combat enhances the experience and connection to the real Medjay of antiquity. It adds an epic historical dimension that makes dominating the battlefield with your khopesh and axes even more badass!

In Summary – The Medjay‘s Enduring Appeal

Whether as ancient desert nomads, pharaoh‘s chosen elite guards, movie mummy vanquishers, or For Honor‘s newest warriors, the allure of the Medjay has resonated for millennia. Their reputation as experienced desert fighters and protectors of Egypt became legendary.

While their organization faded away, their symbol as models of courage, loyalty, and excellence has lived on. Uncovering the meaning of their battle cries lets us appreciate their rich cultural legacy that much more as we game.

I don‘t know about you, but I think I‘ve found my new favorite For Honor faction! Next time I‘m in a match, I‘ll be yelling Medjay war chants right along with them. Feel free to join me!

Let me know if you want me to delve into any other awesome historical warrior groups like the Medjay. This is Terry signing off for now. Game on!