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Music


The people of Egypt lived a merry life finding time for leisure, music and dance. The music and singing in the life of Egypt had considerable attention since the 1st Dynasty, 3000 BC. Scenes in temples and tombs showing musicians playing indicate that music played a vital role in their social life. More information on Ancient Egypt Music

Egyptians had a polytheistic religion; they worship innumerable number of gods and goddesses. Worship of god is naturally associated with music. There were even gods specifically associated with music, such as Hathor and Bes. Music had a central role in religious rituals, hymns and prayers.
ancient-egyptian-music
One of Hathor's titles was "mistress of music" and she was considered the goddess of singers. Bes was often depicted playing instruments. Music found its way into many contexts in Egypt: temples, palaces, workshops, farms, battlefields and the tombs.

Perhaps the highest status belonged to temple musicians; the office of "musician" to a particular god or goddess was a position of high status frequently held by women. Musicians connected with the royal household were held in high esteem, as were certain gifted singers and harp players.

Professional musicians were well paid and mostly were women. Somewhat lower on the social scale were musicians who acted as entertainers for parties and festivals, frequently accompanied by dancers.

Musical instruments ranged from very simple, such as percussion instruments, to very complex, such as harps. The simplest instruments were human hands. Clapping was depicted on many walls as being a large part of most musical performances.

Drums were also popular. Musical instruments include Barrel drums, clappers, Cymbals, Trumpet, type of oboe, pipes, Clarinet, flute, harp etc. But details of Egyptian notes and composition are unknown to us.

A wide range of musical instruments were formed and several advancements in music were achieved during the Middle Kingdom which continued in the New Kingdom. Both male and female voices were enjoyed in Egypt. Music was based on a scale of 5 tones without halftones. This fact can be concluded from the position of holes on flutes.

Various titles provide some information on musician's social organization. The best documented of these were referred to "hnr". They sang and danced in temples, palaces and funerary settings. This type of group flourished from about 2500 through 1500 BC and during the Ramessid Period. Egypt's music later was greatly influenced by the Arab tradition.



Money & Coins Recreation Part 1 Trading of Goods
Famous Monuments Recreation Part 2 Translation Of Hieroglyphics
Mummies / Mummification Religion Part 1 Transportation System
Music in Ancient Egypt Religion Part 2 Viziers Ranking
Musical Instruments Religious Beliefs Famous Wars Fought
Myths Part 1: Creation, Eye of Ra Sarcophagus Weaponry & Chain of Command
Myths Part 2: Death Children's Schools Common Weapons Used in War
Names and Meanings Science and Technology Women's Life Part 1
Numbering System Role of Scribes Women's Life Part 2
Obelisks Designs Life of Slaves & Slavery Status of Women
Paintings Style, Colours Social Classes in Ancient Egypt British Museum and Ancient Egypt
Papyrus Invention Soldiers in the Army Burial Tombs In Ancient Egypt
Pharaohs Dynasties Sphinxes - majestic monuments Concept of Afterlife
Pottery Designs Common Sports Played Farming In Ancient Egypt
Priests' Role Famous Statues Common Food and Drink
Process Of Embalming Symbols and Meanings King Tutankhamun of Egypt
Famous Proverbs Tattoos and Designs Sun God: Ra
Queens Part 1: Cleopatra Technology Advancements The Pyramids of Ancient Egypt
Queens Part 2: Other Queens Temples' Significance Valley of The Kings
Popular Quotes Commonly used Tools Pictures/Photos

This page last updated in Jan 2014
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