Despite their focus on the afterlife, Ancient Egyptians embraced a joyful and vibrant daily life rich with sports, music, dance, games, festivals, and storytelling. From 3000 BC, these forms of entertainment were more than leisure, they honored the gods, strengthened social bonds, and reflected cultural values. Whether through royal archery, children’s games, or sacred dances, Egyptians saw celebration as an essential, sacred expression of life itself.
Although the ancient Egyptian civilization was built around the concept of death and the ancient Egyptian afterlife, ancient Egyptian entertainment had a big part in Egyptian lives; they didn’t miss a chance where they could have fun, they appreciated life, and truly believed in the existence of magic in Ancient Egypt. Countless artworks, inscriptions, and various objects showcase ancient Egyptian entertainment and how the Egyptians enjoyed life through their various forms of entertainment.Â
They organized many festivals and ceremonies to celebrate all the moments of their lives, whether they were positive or negative, as they saw the touch of the gods in everything. They had various forms of recreation, games, sports, dance, and music to pass the time, and they took full advantage of their life.
The ancient Egyptians spent a great deal of time outdoors, where the children would play in the yard or the streets, various different kinds of sports. Boys would practice sports like wrestling, boxing, rowing, and game-like tug of war played using a hoop and field hockey, while girls would engage in gymnastics and dancing.
Both girls and boys were taught to swim and boat from an early age. Archery was known for being the sport of royalty and nobility, like Ramesses the Great (1279-1213 BC) and Amenhotep II (1425-1400 BC). Physical fitness and athletics played a vital role in ancient Egyptian society, as it was believed that a healthy childhood would create a productive adult member of the community.
Ancient Egyptian Sports were found everywhere in Ancient Egypt, like it was part of the king's coronation, ancient Egypt military victories, and even in religious festivals and ceremonies. One of the most famous ancient Egyptian festivals was Heb-Sed, which involved the pharaoh showcasing his physical fitness after thirty years of a king's reign.
Sports or any form of physical exercise were valued and enjoyed by every member of any social status. The ancient Egyptians would hold competitions like juggling, swimming, rowing, dancing, pageants, wrestling, and javelin, which were very entertaining and popular spectator sports. One of the most famous activities was hunting and fishing, which took courage and patience.
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The ancient Egyptian civilization infused their society with the magic and dance of Ancient Egypt; they enjoyed their life to the absolute fullest, and every festival or banquet, or celebration was only considered complete with dancing and music. Within the secular and religious activities, music and dancing were the most important parts. Male and female dancers would perform to music produced using harps, drums, lutes, flutes, clappers, cymbals, and tambourines.
They had various musical instruments, which indicate the importance of music in the daily life of ancient Egyptians. During the banquets, the guests would enjoy a majestic show of gorgeous girls wearing nothing but jewels and lithe acrobats dancing to enchanting music. The musicians and dancers would encourage the guests to join in the party by clapping, chanting. Many scenes and images are immortalized on stone vessels and ceremonial palettes that showcase love, sensuality, and music, having a major effect on their lives.
Dancing was one of the main components of ritual and also a celebration, as dance troupes were available to hire to perform for any different event. There were six different kinds of dancing in Ancient Egypt: harem dances, banquet dancing, religious & non-religious dancing, combat dancing, and street dancing. The overall design of a party is not that much different from what we have today. Both the musicians and dancers would perform, while the servants would tend to the needs of the guests.
There were a lot of board games and toys in Ancient Egypt. Young children would play with dolls, animal toys with movable jaws, and puppets, either made of wood or clay. Many items from the Middle Kingdom of Egypt (2040-1782 BC) were made of a piece of rope or string. Many of the toys took the shape of animals like cats, dogs, frogs, mice, and birds. The girl dolls were made of cloth and stuffed with grass, hay, and horsehair.
A mechanical dog with a lever that moves when someone presses it back was located in Egypt new kingdom (1570-1070 BC). There were many board games in Ancient Egypt, like the Hounds and jackals board game found in King Tutankhamen's tomb, whose purpose was to capture the opposing side's pieces while advancing your own.
The oldest known board game known to man is Mehen, a.k.a. the game of the snake, between 3150 BC and 2613 BC, which was used as the ritual enchantment of the overthrowing of Apophis. The most popular board game in the history of Ancient Egypt was Senet, which takes two players and is known to represent one's journey from life to eternity.
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Storytelling was the most influential form of art in Ancient Egypt. The stories and myths of ancient Egyptian gods and tales of heroes like the tale of Sinuhe, the tale of Setna and Taboubu, the tale of the shipwrecked sailor, or the ghost stories were told at gatherings, festivals, and parties.
These stories gave birth to and evolved into the gods and the belief system of the ancient Egyptian civilization. These stories had a moral impact on the people of Ancient Egypt and reflected the values of the ancient Egyptians in the hope of enhancing one's soul in the same way sports enhance one's body.
The ancient Egyptians held a profound love for celebrations and entertainment, as reflected in the many festivals, games, and artistic pursuits that filled their daily lives. Entertainment in Ancient Egypt extended beyond simple pastimes, which were a way to honor the gods, build community, and celebrate the cycles of nature.Â
Social gatherings, temple festivals, music, dance, and a host of games and activities were central to Egyptian culture. These activities served as a means of connecting individuals to the divine, their family, and society as a whole. Ancient Egyptians marked the calendar with a series of festivals and celebrations that were primarily religious, dedicated to the pantheon of gods they worshipped.Â
The most prominent festivals in ancient Egypt included the Opet Festival, which took place during the annual Nile flood and reinforced the bond between the gods Amun, Mut, Khonsu, and the ruling pharaoh, symbolizing divine legitimacy. The Beautiful Feast of the Valley focused on honoring Amun and commemorating deceased ancestors, uniting families in shared rituals on the west bank of Thebes.Â
The Wepet-Renpet marked the Egyptian New Year, coinciding with the rising of the star Sirius, and celebrated the renewal brought by the Nile's floodwaters. The Sed Festival, celebrated after 30 years of a pharaoh’s reign, was a major event intended to rejuvenate the ruler's strength and affirm their divine right to lead. Festivals like the Feast of Drunkenness, honoring the goddess Hathor, and the Festival of Min, dedicated to fertility and agricultural abundance, highlighted the Egyptians' joyful celebration of life’s pleasures.Â
Each festival, from the Osiris Festival at Abydos, which celebrated the cycle of life and resurrection, to the Festival of the Inundation that honored the life-giving waters of the Nile river, reflected the deep interconnection of ancient Egyptian religion, agriculture, and social customs in ancient Egyptian culture. These celebrations not only served to honor the gods and ensure divine favor but also brought communities together, strengthening social bonds and reinforcing the pharaoh's sacred role in society.
The Egyptians understood the importance and value of entertainment to the physical and spiritual development of anyone's life, so don't miss the chance to enjoy some of the world's most beautiful artifacts and monuments in the majestic cities of Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan. You get to board a magical Nile river cruise on the lifestream of Egypt through our Egypt vacation packages and explore the timeless heritage of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs.
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The Egyptians lived a very lavish life with every means of entertainment. they were hard workers but they filled their time with delightful activities such as Swimming, wrestling, rowing, plus especially hunting, fishing, and all king of sports. Art played an important role in their entertainment through music and dancing, the ancient Egyptian invented and excelled in a number of musical instruments such as harps, drums, clappers, flutes, tambourines, lutes, cymbals, and more. When there is music there is dancing, the ancient Egyptians had many ceremonies and festivals where dancing was the source of great joy. The ancient Egyptians hand many mind games that were very entertaining such as Senet, Mehen, the hounds & jackals, and more. Storytelling was a pure art form and a great means to preserve the ideals of the past.
The most popular form of entertainment was undoubtedly Senet, an ancient board game played by people of all social classes. Music and dance were also incredibly popular, with performances being a staple at festivals, temple rituals, and private gatherings. Both music and board games served as a means to connect with the spiritual world, as well as being enjoyable pastimes.
When feeling bored, ancient Egyptians often turned to board games like Senet or outdoor activities like fishing and hunting. Music was also a go-to activity, with instruments being played at gatherings or simply to pass the time. Storytelling was another popular way to combat boredom, with elders sharing myths and legends with younger generations.
Ancient Egyptian children enjoyed a variety of games and toys, including dolls, carved animal figurines, and small boats. They played games similar to leapfrog and tug-of-war, and also engaged in pretend play with miniature versions of adult tools and household items.
The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.
Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.
You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.
Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.
The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.
Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.
Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.
The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.
The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.
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