The Original Rave: Music, Dance and Drugs in Ancient Egypt

The ancient Egyptian lifestyle afforded ample opportunity for leisurely pursuits. Music played an essential role in the lives of ancient Egyptians. To pass the time, Egyptians and especially nobles threw lavish parties. Sensual activity and eroticism were a central aspect of these parties. 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 discovered at the Tomb of Nakht.C. is just one depiction that strengthens our notion of the importance of music in the Egyptian culture. Many depictions and artifacts exist including a number of instruments that have been preserved. However, we don't really know how they may have sounded as there is no written record of annotated music.

Paintings and Egyptian sculptures found in tombs suggest that the majority of the musicians were female. These female groups would frequently perform at banquets and festivities often accompanied by dancers. The instruments of the time included flutes, drums, lyres, harps and lutes. Egyptian statues depict Hathor, the goddess of music, holding a rattle-like instrument called the sistrum. Those who worshipped Hathor were frequently treated to performances by female musicians at the temple.

Those who enjoyed music in ancient Egypt usually did so at a festival or banquet. Nearly as commonplace as music, was the wine. The Egyptians also enjoyed beer which was often flavored with regional fruits. These banquets emphasized the exotic and erotic with special emphasis on pleasing the senses of taste and smell. To "expand their minds," Egyptian party guests often added a narcotic lily flower to their wine.

To add to the enjoyment of the banquets, attendees were usually given a flower bud or blossom to smell during the entertainment. Sweet smelling fragrant ointments were placed in the wigs of banquet attendees to please the sense of smell.

The center of attraction at an Egyptian banquet was sure to be the performance of the dancers. In ancient Egyptian culture men generally danced with men and women with women. The performances of the Egyptian dancers ranged from postured and slow rhythmic movement to more acrobatic dancing.

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