This page is thought as a quick guide to the Egyptian year with a hort mentioning of some of its many deities and festivals. Any effort at delienating in such a structured way, the many facetted culture of ancient Egypt is doomed to failure, yet some main traits can be gleaned. If we keep in mind that the deities were many and their area of influence shifted, sometimes locally, sometimes nationwide, and that the same went for festivals,at least we can understand that the Egyptian year was tied to what Nature and geography dictated and what the deities "allowed" to happen. Festivals, wether the local village parade or the nationwide, Royal celebration, were always an occasion for happiness and making merry, sometimes with pilgrims travelling from all ends of the long country and sometimes for weeks on end.
The Egyptian year was divided into three seasons (Inundation/Autmn, Growing/Winter and Harvest/Summer) Each season was divided into four months of each thirty days making a total of 120 days in each season. Each month was further divided into three decans to become three weeks of ten days each. At the end of the year, five extra days were thrown in to compensate for the year being 365 days - called the Epagomenal Days or the "Days Upon the Year". This ocurred in antiquity late June, due to the progression of the stars nowadays late July, when the inundation of the Nile began. As the inundation never ocurred on a fixed date, the rising of the Dog Star (Sirius), which had a fixed date was used as a sign that the inundation was near.
Season of Akhet:(Inundation, Autumn)
Nile water covering a stretch of land
Photo: author
When Sirius, the dogstar, called Sopdet in ancient Egyptian, began to rise on the horison, it signalled the beginning of the inundation, and this was also the beginning of the new year. This was the First Month of Akhet and the water rose and drenched the farmland, making it impossible to work at the fields. It is believed that many people were employed in building projects during this period. Meanwhile, the silt covered the fields and orchards. When the water withdrew, the silt had fertilized the land and it was ready for sowing and planting - the next season, Peret, began.
Deities celebrated in the four months of Akhet: Djehuty, Ptah, HetHert and Sekhmet.
Festivals for the four months of Akhet:
1st Akhet:
Opening of the Year,
Wag Festival of Osiris,
Festival of the Departure of Osiris at Abydos,
Festival of Djehuty,
Festival of Intoxication for Hathor.
2nd Akhet:
Festival of Ptah South of His Wall (MenNefer)
Opet Festival,Waset.
3rd Akhet:
Festival of Hathor
(Dendera & Edfu)
4th Akhet:
Festival of Wesir at Abedjou
Festival of Sokar at MenNefer
Festival of Sekhmet.
The Festival of Opet
The word 'Opet' means Secret Chamber so this festival is the " Festival of the Secret Chamber" (Heb Ipt. By this is meant the innermost chamber of Ipet-Resut, the southern temple at Waset (Thebes/Luxor). It was the birthday of the King´s Ka , when the King got his Divine Right to rule re-confirmed.
At this festival, not only the Bark of Amun but also the barks of Mut and Khonsu, travelled from Ipet Isut (Karnak) along the 3 km long (1.8 miles) Processional Route which was lined with sphinxes, all with rams´ heads. The procession was followed by dignitaries, dancers, singers, musicians and common people. Priests carried incence, sistra were shaken, there were singing and clapping of hands. All along the way there were way stations at which the procession stopped while the priests rested and offerings and prayers were made. There were also Oracles performed for the people. The barge would stop and people could come forward and ask simple questions which could be answered with a 'yes' or a 'no'. The priest would then tip the barge forward for 'yes' and backwards for 'no'. Meanwhile peddlers offering wares hovered like flies all around. When they reached Ipet Resut, elaborate offerings and rituals were held. Even the Coronation rituals were performed anew.
The Opet Festival was the greatest Theban festival during they whole year and served both as a renewal of the power of the god and the king, plus it emphasized the bonds between the gods and the people of the land.
Season of Peret (Growing/Winter)
Fields in springtime, Upper Egypt
Photo: author
When the water slowly began to withdraw, it was the end of autumn and winter began. As soon as the fields were manageable, they would be cleared of debris and planting and sowing would began. Mudbrick would again be made laid to dry in the sun. Huts and houses demolished by the water would be erected again in their old places. Donkeys and other cattle could find new grass, flowers and herbs sprouted, swallows began to nest - spring had come to Kemet.
Deities celebrated in the four months of Peret: Mut, Min, Aset (Isis), Amun, Amenhotep I, Renenutet.
Festivals for the four months of Peret:
1st Peret:
Festival of Nehebkau
Festival of the Coronation of the
Sacred Falcon, Edfu
Festival of Min
Festival of the Departure of Mut
2nd Peret:
Festival of Victory, Edfu
Great Brand Festival
3rd Peret:
Small Brand Festival
Festival of Amenhotep
4th Peret:
Festival of Renenutet.
Season of Shomu (Harvest/Summer)
Fields ready for harvest.
Photo: author
In the beginning of this season the sun is hot during the days and many have been able to harvest. Already new seeds or planting have been done for it is important to profit from the land while it is possible. Donkeys laden with heaps are off to market and to farmsteads, fruit is being gathered and there is plenty of food. Everyone is happy and give thanks for the good gifts the gods bring to Kemet.
Deities celebrated in the four months of Shomu: Khonsu, Heru (Horus), Wadjet, Ra-Heruakhety.
Festivals in the fuor months of Shomu:
1st Shomu:
Festival of Khonsu
Festival of the Departure of Min
2nd Shomu:
Beautiful Feast of the Valley, Waset.
3rd Shomu:
Festival of the Beautiful Reunion;
(Hathor & Horus at Dendera & Edfu)
4th Shomu:
Festival of Re-Horakhty;
Festival of the Opening of the Year (Wep Renpet)
The "Days Upon the Year":
Days Upon the Year)
Day 1:
Birthday of Osiris
Day 2:
Birthday of Horus
Day 3:
Birthday of Set
Day 4:
Birthday of Isis
Day 5:
Birthday of Nephtys
Due to the quarter-day discrepancy in a year, some years an extra 6th day was added.
