What is the festival of Opet?
Religious causes played the main factor in almost every festival of ancient Egypt. The Beautiful Feast of Opet was important among them. Because the Pharaoh had intense & active support for the Feast of Opet. During this occasion, three important deities made a ritual journey from their temple at Karnak to temple of Luxor. These deities were Amun, his consort Mut & their son Khonsu.
The timing & purpose of the festival
The Beautiful Feast of Opet held annually on the second month of the lunar calendar. It was held during the inundation of the River Nile. Because fertility was an important aspect of the society of ancient Egypt. So this festival celebrated fertility & resurrection. It also celebrated the divine nature of the Pharaoah. It aimed to give energy back to the divine entities. Thus a proper execution of the ceremony was needed. So that it could regenerate the energy of deities & monarch system.
The main procession
The festival formed out of a procession. Different stages formed it. At first, it left the temple of Amun at Karnak. Amun was a major deity of ancient Egypt. Then it arrived at the temple of Amun at Thebes or Luxor. So this long journey consisted of around 3 km in length. Thus it showed the strong willpower of ancient Egyptians.
Special pathway of the procession
It was fifteenth century BCE. Pharaoh Hatshepsut was ruling over ancient Egypt. He made an Avenue of Sphinxes. So it made a direct link between two temples.
Use of River Nile for the procession
It was thirteenth century BCE. Pharaoh Ramesses II was ruling over ancient Egypt. The pathway of the procession changed during his reign. As both journeys took place on the River Nile.
How long did the Opet festival last?
The duration of the Beautiful Feast of Opet changed over time. Because different Pharaohs changed the duration of this festival. During the reign of Hatshepsut, it lasted for 12 days. During the reign of Ramesses II, its duration increased. Because it started to last for 27 days.
What was the role of the Pharaoh in the Feast of Opet?
The pharaoh led the procession. Because he represented the divine power. He was lavishly decorated with royal clothing. His royal consort accompanied him throughout the procession.
How did priests involve in the procession?
The priests made the festival happen. Leopard skin covered their skin. They chanted sacred hymns. As they walked in front of the boat of the god.
What was the Boat of God?
The Boat of God was the most important stuff of the festival. Because it symbolizes the divine power of deities. As it had the statue of Amun. Only priests carried the boat. As it was divine. They wore masks that represented deities.
How did other people get engaged with the festival?
The local community freely engaged with the festival. As they distributed loaves of bread, jars of beers & other foods throughout the crowd. The musicians made it more cheerful. As they played string, percussion & wind instruments. The dancers made the festival refreshing. As they danced around the procession to the sound of the music. They also acted gymnastics. So the common people actively took part in the festival. Thus it made the festival successful.
Source: Ancient Egypt, Parragon Books Ltd, 2014
