Music and Dance in Ancient Egypt

While we may view the Egyptian culture through a shroud of mystery, in many ways the daily life of the Egyptians and particularly their leisure time was spent pursuing many of the same activities that we enjoy today. Music was an integral part of the daily lives of ancient Egyptians. A frequent source of enjoyment for ancient Egyptians was the attendance of festitivites and banquets. Eroticism and sensuality were a key aspect of these festivities. Consumption of wine, beer and narcotics was not uncommon.

Music was an integral part of both Egyptian culture and religion. It was believed that music pleased the gods and mortals alike and nearly any festival or banquet included musicians. The three female musicians wall relief found at the Tomb of Nakht dated Dynasty XVIII 1450 B.C. is one of many ancient artifiacts that show how important music was in ancient Egypt. Archaeologists have also unearthed a number of musical instruments. Unfortunately, Egyptians did not annotate their music so we are unclear on how it may have sounded.

Egyptian wall reliefs found in temples and tombs from the New Kingdom suggest that music was the domain of women. These female groups would frequently perform at banquets and festivities often accompanied by dancers. The ancient Egyptian band consisted of flutes, harps, lyres, drums and lutes. Egyptian statues usually depict the goddess of music, Hathor, holding a sistrum, a ritual instrument similar to a maraca. Worship at the temple of Hathor was frequently accompanied by the performance of female musicians.

Those who enjoyed music in ancient Egypt usually did so at a festival or banquet. Along with the music wine was plentiful. Beer was another popular party beverage, often seasoned and combined with fruit. These banquets emphasized the exotic and erotic with special emphasis on pleasing the senses of taste and smell. Egyptian banquets were often the place were narcotic flowers were combined with wine to increase the euphoric experience.

Flowers were given to guests of the banquet. These were to be sniffed during performances and added visual appeal. Fragrant ointments were placed on the wigs of revelers by servants to create a perfumed experience.

The center of attraction at an Egyptian banquet was sure to be the performance of the dancers. During these banquets, men performed dancing with other men and women danced with other women. The dances could range from slow, fluid movements to more vigorous performances that border on the acrobatic.