Hawwas Reveals Women’s Role in Pharaonic Literature

By Ali abu Dashish

Various aspects of arts are considered the mirror of the ancient and temporary communities.

Literature is one of the most important aspects of art as it sheds lights on all categories of society and roles of  men, women, young and  seniors.

Dr. Zahi Hawwas, icon of the Egyptology and former Minister of Antiquities, said  that the ancient Egyptian literature deals with the woman as a main partner in life. It shows the social status of woman, her duties and rights.

Through the story of the “Eloquent Peasant” woman is seen putting her shoulder to her husband to face difficulties of life. She manages to direct  the household when the husband is away.

The grieving husband told his wife that he was going to the city to fetch food for  their children. He ordered her to head for the store and take wheat. "What remain there will be your food for you and the children," he said.

The woman in Ancient Egypt played the role of the benign mother who searches good for her spouse and defends their children. This is shown clearly in Osiris myth. Isis then took a role in the struggle erupted between Set and her son, Horus.

The story said that Isis was the source of life Egypt. She fought the evil and searched for Osiris until she resurrected him again. She has a baby with Osiris, brought him up to avenge  the death of his late father.

Horus became a king of Egypt. This story embodies the woman’s role towards society.

These are reviewed sayings of sages of Ancient Egypt.

Ptahhotp, a sage lived in the era of  the 5th Dynasty of the Ancient Kingdom, addressed the man by saying : If  you are a successful man, do your best to make your family stable, love your wife, feed  and dress her well.

The sage assured values of familial relationships and respect of the household.

He warned visitors not to approach women. He said if you want to keep  friendship alive in a house you should avoid women there. It is wisdom not to intervene among women many times.

Ani, one of the best known sages in Ancient Egypt recommended his son and other young men to take wife to give him a child when he is still youth.

He warned ancient Egyptians of fornication offence and its punishment which may lead to death

He also advised his son to treat patents in a respectful manner after their death and passing to the other world.

He advised son to head to tomb of his parents and submit offerings there.

He added the son should bear his mother when she becomes elder as she bore and fed him, and did not loath him for three years.

When you become an adult, and take a wife, remember always that how your mother gave birth to you many years before. She did not show you any anger when you’re a child.

Egyptologists have evidence showing how a woman was influential in Ancient Egypt as it was shown in the story of  “Khufu and Magicians”.

When King Senefru went cruising in a boat at a lake, some girls were at oars with the king.  Suddenly, an earring of a girl slid to the water and she wept for it. The king summoned a magician who could fetch the earring to the oaring girl of the royal boat.

Contributed by Ahmed Moamar