Please post in your homeroom! Zabbia Ancient Egypt Daily Life Journal
Task: Write a journal as if you are an ancient Egyptian. Show what you have learned through your research about the culture and daily life of ancient Egyptians. Please post your entries here so that I can read and make comments. Remember to edit and save your work on Word and on a flashdrive. Bring the flashdrive to school each day.
Remember that your journals should be written in the first person (from your character's point of view), and also that your character's social position should influence the journal writing.
DAY 1
ReplyDeleteDear Journal,
I have just become an Egyptian scribe and I can already tell that this job is going to be very fun and very challenging. My name is Anwar and I am glad that I just got my job in Egypt. Being a scribe sounds like a very fun job and I think it could help this civilization a lot. I got this job because I found out that anyone could undertake this profession (as long as they get the education). I can’t believe that you also need the right clothing, appearance, and even personal hygiene! There are lots of things a scribe could do like tax collecting, law administrating, conducting the census of the population, and lots of other stuff. The only thing that worries me is that I don’t know how long I will be working each day. I hope I don’t work all day every day inside a hot building. Especially on a summer day! I start working tomorrow. So I hope this is going to be fun!
DAY 2
ReplyDeleteDear Journal,
Today I started my job as a scribe and I think it is going to be hard in the middle of the flood season. June to October is really the time of year where pretty much everything except for the high grounds. This is because the farmers can not farm on land that is flooded. So they have to either go to war or help build the pyramids. And this is helping them pay their taxes so the tax collector scribes have a lot of work to do with recording the money we get.
I’m exhausted! I have done so much writing today and there are so many hieroglyphs I have to remember, which makes it even harder. All day long the farmers have been coming in with their tax money. You can tell they are farmers by the way they dress. They always wear loin cloths and they are very nice people but they go in the sun a lot so some times they can smell pretty bad.
I love my new job but I can not wait to get home and have some hummus and Egyptian bread. In the evenings I like to play senet with my older sister even if she always beats me.
DAY 3
ReplyDeleteDear Journal,
I like my time at home after working as a scribe. I always like walking home to because there is a temple on the way there. Every time I pass that temple, I make an offering to Thoth, the God of Wisdom and Scribe of the gods. I usually get a rabbit or another mammal but never fish because it would get smelly and rotten and it is forbidden to give it. Some times I also give him some flowers. A few days ago I found out that the high priests and the nobles dress his statue in new clothes every night. I leave him offerings to show my respect and to pray for good fortune in my job.
When I get home, as I said yesterday I always play senet with my sister. But of course we don’t play until after dinner. For dinner, we usually have stuff like pigeon stew, fresh berries, or maybe spiced honey cakes. We are lucky that we are scribes because it means we can eat very well. Eating inside the house is nice too. Our house is like a lot of Egyptian houses. It is very plain. It is surrounded by a wall and has steps outside leading to a flat roof. Our house is dark because it has tiny windows. But it is very comfortable and I am happy to be there.
A Day in the Life of a High Priest of Egypt
ReplyDeleteBy High Priest Iah
Translated by William Mahoney
DAY ONE
I can’t imagine a world of finer luxury than that of the high priest. Except maybe the life of the vizier. Or of course, the Pharaoh.
Every day I wake up in supreme luxury on a fine linen bed. I shave my head to purify myself, and I dress in a simple linen robe. After I eat a breakfast of fruits and wheat bread, I make my way strait to the temple of Djehuti, god of the moon and writing. I was always meant to be the high priest of Djehuti. For one, my father was high priest to him, and priesthood is usually passed down by generation to generation. I also happen to live in the city of Khmun, which houses the great temple of Djehuti. For another thing, my name, Iah, means moon, which is one of the symbols of Djehuti.
Once I’m in the great temple, I take the statue of Djehuti out of its special shrine. I clothe it, wash it, and give it a purified sacrifice. I then bow to it, and I back out of the temple, because it is highly disrespectful to turn your back on a god.
Outside the temple I set up a ritual to praise everything Djehuti has done for us. It involves burning candles and praising him through song. There are other rituals that will be done later, but this one is very important.
This is my first entry, but it is not edited!!
-William
This is for Terrence...
ReplyDeleteGreat cultural detail and outstanding voice, personality and description. Keep up the good work. I especially like the detail about Thoth. Mrs. Z
This is for William...
ReplyDeleteExcellent work incorporating cultural detail and voice into your writing. I especially like your description of the special care taken of the statue of Djehuti. Great writing. Mrs. Zabbia
6-z
ReplyDeleteAs I finished cleaning the house I walked to my mothers jewelry/cosmetics shop down the street. My mother told me to come help her make a pair of earrings shaped like scarabs the sacred sign we all look up to. I asked my mother what time my two brothers and father would get back from checking on my fathers medical patient (my father is a doctor).My mother said in a couple of hours. You see my brothers are know old enough to learn the way of my fathers trade but I am not yet old enough to learn the way of my mothers though I think she appreciates it when I help. For I do love to work in the shop.
Hours later…
My father walked into the door with an absolutely terrified look on his face. Next the eldest of my two brothers walked in with the same look on his face soon I heard weeping and screaming as my middle brother walked in with blood dripping from his hand I screamed and my mother grabbed me holding me close to her with her arms wrapped around me. Then she two started to wheep! “Wh… wh… what happened”, she tried to make out in one breath but it faded at the end. “The crocodile got his hand as he reached into the water to throw upon his face to cool him down. It is a minor bite nothing major he got away just in time I’ve seen way worse people who have lost their lives and body parts to those creatures I will go wrap it up and it should be fine after a while”. Said my father who tried to sound brave but I knew he too was scared too.
I would not know how he was until the mourning because my mother decided I would go to bed then earlier then I usually would. So goodbye for now I will write tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Eshe
Dear Diary,
ReplyDeleteToday my family and I are on are way to the festival to celebrate the god of life named Amon. This takes place in September. We are going with my Aunt and Uncle and 3 cousins eshe, and her 2 brothers. The festival is a really fun time. My cousin, Eshi and I take part in it. While she is playing flute, I am doing dancing and I am doing acrobat moves. I love to eat and drink at the festival we have great food. Things like bread, onions, leeks, lettuce, and all kinds of beans. There were grapes to make wine which my Dad let me have one sip of at the festival. The festival last for a Month nobody worked and it was a great family time! This festival is about celebration of the god Anom as I said before. There is a great beautiful statue of Anom and in the festival we put this statue on a boat and we say prayers and wishes to the statue. Things like let us have a good season with crops, or hope that no robbers rob a tomb of a family member. I promise to write more later but now I must go and join the festivities.
Love,
Amisi
6-z
ReplyDeleteDear diary,
Today I am going to the festival of Amon god of life with my aunt uncle and cousin Amisi. These festivals last for nearly a month while they go on we don’t really work. They take place at the time during the year when the Nile river floods. This signifies the new year and planting season. Every one goes to these festivals including rich and poor people. We all travel to the city of ****. It is so much fun my cousin and I even participate in it I play the flute while she dances and does acrobatics! During the festival the priests come out of the temple holding a statue of one of the gods Amon. Next we put the statue on a beautiful boat and let it sale down the river. While this is happening all the people by the river banks will start to plead and beg the god. For example if a loved one is sick the family members or friends will beg the god for them to get better and if they don’t have enough food they will beg for that and so on.
We have just arrived at the festival and it is amazing soon I will play my flute and my cousin will dance. My mother has brought some lotion from her shop for us to put on. This lotion made from animal fat not only makes our skin look better but protects it from the hot dry sunny weather. After my cousin and I are done playing and dancing it is time for the statue to sail down the Nile my cousin Amisi and I stand there and pray mean while we hear the beggars asking and pleading with the gods. Now the day is over and it is time for us to go back to camp the festival will continue in the morning but for now good night.
Sincerely, Eshe
Dear Diary,
ReplyDeleteToday my family and I are on are way to the festival to celebrate the god of life named Amon. This takes place in September. We are going with my Aunt and Uncle and 3 cousins eshe, and her 2 brothers. The festival is a really fun time. My cousin, Eshi and I take part in it. While she is playing flute, I am doing dancing and I am doing acrobat moves. I love to eat and drink at the festival we have great food. Things like bread, onions, leeks, lettuce, and all kinds of beans. There were grapes to make wine which my Dad let me have one sip of at the festival. The festival last for a Month nobody worked and it was a great family time! This festival is about celebration of the god Anom as I said before. There is a great beautiful statue of Anom and in the festival we put this statue on a boat and we say prayers and wishes to the statue. Things like let us have a good season with crops, or hope that no robbers rob a tomb of a family member. I promise to write more later but now I must go and join the festivities.
Love,
Amisi
6-Z
6-z
ReplyDeleteDear diary,
Excuse me for not introducing myself in the first entry. My name is Eshe and I live in Egypt with my two older brother’s Kahotep and Kemsa father and mother. One day my father came home and brought me some papyrus paper. That is the kind of paper we use here in Egypt. Most girls here do not no how to write and read, but I can because my eldest brother taught me how to in his spare time. Anyways as I mentioned before my name is Eshe meaning life. My parents named me that because they love life and wanted my life to be great along with loving the name they new it was the right one and that is why I’m named Eshe.
Now that the thirty days are over we will be leaving the festival and heading back to our village where work will start again. My brother Kemsa is still healing from his crocodile bite, but my father says he will be fine with a little rest. I’m still worried for him though if that were me I don’t know if I would have made it. I think my mother can tell that I’m nerves because she gives me these looks as if to say “he will be okay”.
But today we are heading back from the festival and that means I will be working in the shop again I am kind of exited to be going back because my mother will be showing me how to make the lotion/cream from animal fat. So goodbye for now diary.
Sincerely, Eshe
Dear Diary,
ReplyDeleteMy mothers name is Husn that means beauty. I had always been excited that I will one day have my Mothers job. I really think that her job is interesting. She works in a shop selling jewelry and cosmetics that she makes herself! Sometimes she even lets me help her! Cosmetics are very important to are culture in Egypt! Some of the many things that she lets me help her with is this, eye makeup that men and women wear to protect there eyes from sand and dust. My mother is very good at making beautiful wigs that the rich people in Egypt where. My mom usually lets me do this with her. The wig was made of a mixture of real hair and vegetable fibers. The strands were fixed wit a netting base with wax. I Love to help my Mother! It is really a great experience and it prepares me for the future.
Love,
Amisi
6-z
Day 1- NOT CLOSE TO BEING DONE!!!
ReplyDeleteMy writing skills have grown enough for me to keep my very own journal. It is something I have been waiting for all of my life. Now my position as High Priestess in the temple of Hathor is filled with much honor. Ever since I was a baby, I knew my destiny. Even my name suggests it. Femi, it means love. And I serve the goddess of love, beauty, joy, motherhood, cows, and dancing. Among other things. I am lucky, to be able to be so close to her. She is with me, every day, even when I do the most ordinary things. For she knows, as I know, that of all humans, I worship her the most. But I will get started now, with recording my day.
I got up before the sun rose, as I usually do and did about my business. As I searched for the perfect accessories, I found them. A heavy golden necklace with emeralds set in it, in the shape of a sistrum, to symbolize Hathor. with matching earrings. I then loaded my arms and ankles with thin golden bracelets, painted my cheeks and my lips and put on my wig, made of sheep's wool and human hair. I was wearing a long robe of red, embroidered with gold thread. No expense is spared for the High Priestess. When I walked to the temple, I noticed other priestesses hurrying to it, all waiting outside the gates for my command. they were all dressed lavishly. Not as well as I, obviously, but beautifully, well enough to honor Hathor. All eyes were upon me as I strode up to the gate. I faced them, palms to the air, and said, "Priestesses of Hathor. Goddess of love, beauty, motherhood, dancing, and cows. You have been granted a great honor, to serve her. Now is the time, to celebrate Our Lady, Our Mistress, Hathor! Now join me, and celebrate with your whole heart. For Hathor loves most those who devote themselves utterly to her!" I said this every morning, midday, and night, but the words never lost their power to the Priestesses. As it should be. The priestesses, servants, and I arranged flowers, drink, and food, all looked beautiful and the smell was amazing! After that, we all cleansed ourselves with natron and water from the Sacred Lake. Soon after, the priestesses, (the servants were not allowed to participate in rituals), laid out the offerings, burned incense, sang, and shook the sistrum. I, though, I had a great honor. I walked to Hathor's sanctuary, broke the seal to it, and we all waited. the sun was to come up soon. But as we waited we sang and chanted. I was the loudest and the proudest. as my duty.
Journal Entry
ReplyDeleteWork
My name is Akil which means intelligent, my job is making door mats and door flaps for houses. We usually make them out of grass, seeds, reeds, twigs, leaves and date palm fronds. It is very easy and fun. Usually my job is to go and collect date palm fronds by the river so we can make these crafts. This job is very risky because I could slip off the branches or fall into the Nile River and drown. But someone’s got to do it. But sometimes when other workers are sick I get to make some door mats and door flaps. They said if I keep working hard my job could be making the crafts. The way I got this job was by the old guy who used to collect the fronds fell in the Nile and drowned. So I got lucky to get this job.
Housing and furniture
ReplyDeleteMy house is made of sun dried clay bricks, it has four doors, it has a flat roof and it’s located right at the top of a small hill behind the Nile. My bed is on the top of my roof, I sleep up there to keep cool of the hot humid nights. All of my clothes are stored in bags I made myself. Outside my house I have a huge fire pit where I cook my dinner. Inside my house I don’t have a table because I always eat on the floor. I don’t have any chairs in my house cause I usually sit on the floor. I don’t have any pillows in my house instead I use headrests.
Clothing
ReplyDeleteMy clothes are made of linen which is very light which won’t make me hot when I’m working. Linen comes from a plant that grows along the Nile. I wear a tightly wrapped skirt that has a belt at the top. I wash my clothes in the Nile River; I dry my clothes in the sun. Most of my skirts are white and have no color. But I do have one skirt which is colored in red and yellow. I rarely wear that. I do own one piece of gold jewelry I got a small button that came from a shop. I rarely wear any jewelry or head wear because I am not too rich.
Dear diary,
ReplyDeleteToday my family has received devastating news from my aunt uncle and 3 cousins. My cousin Kemsa had gotten bitten by a crocodile. He got bitten on his hand while he was washing himself. I hope that he will be okay. Every night my family and I pray to the Hathor the goddess of love, joy, beauty, motherhood, dancing and cows. We pray that he will soon be well again. We are going to visit them soon. He will survive we believe. My father is working on a beautiful funeral mask. My fathers name is Bes and when I was a younger child he would comfort me because his name means protector. My father is a very good worker and he loves his job. For my birthday one year when I was younger he gave me a tiny shred of gold that I still treasure today. We will soon go and see my cousin but now I must go.
Love,
Amisi
6-z
A Day in the Life of a High Priest of Egypt
ReplyDeleteBy High Priest Iah
Translated by William Mahoney
DAY TWO
Late last night, after all the necessary rituals were finished, I started to pack my belongings. My family and I are going to Thebes for the festival of Opet, for it is the second month of Akhet, so the Nile is flooding its banks. All the farmers can’t work because all the fields are flooded, so we are going to Thebes for a great festival, with singing, dancing, feasting and rituals. I won’t be taking place in the rituals, of course, because I only do rituals to Djehuti, and in Thebes, the god Amun-Ra is widely worshiped.
It will be difficult to get to Thebes, because Khmun is on the opposite side of the Nile, and Thebes is also south from us, while the Nile flows from the Land of the Gods up to Giza and beyond, so it will be hard to cross. But since I am the High Priest of Djehuti, it will be very important for me to go to represent Khmun, and I also hear the Pharaoh will be there!
Tonight, myself, my wife, my son (who will have the role of high priest someday), three of my servants (one for each of us), and my cat, Emu, are waiting for a barge to take us across the river. This will be very dangerous, but I mustn’t dwell on it now. From my bag, which is also filled with linen cloaks and robes, I take out some sun-dried figs and share them among my family. Normally, if we were at home, we would be having duck and some ripe fruits, but out here and not in my house, the food would spoil before we get to Thebes. Everyone knows that dried foods will stay good for very long, and it is also very nutritious. Not only that, but if the fruits are left in the sun, they will be blessed by Ra, the sun god.
Dear diary,
ReplyDeleteToday my family has received devastating news from my aunt uncle and 3 cousins. My cousin Kemsa had gotten bitten by a crocodile. He got bitten on his hand while he was washing himself. I hope that he will be okay. Every night my family and I pray to the Hathor the goddess of love, joy, beauty, motherhood, dancing and cows. We pray that he will soon be well again. We are going to visit them soon. He will survive we believe. My father is working on a beautiful funeral mask. My fathers name is Bes and when I was a younger child he would comfort me because his name means protector. My Fathers works as a goldsmith, my father is a very good worker and he loves his job. For my birthday one year when I was younger he gave me a tiny shred of gold that I still treasure today. We will soon go and see my cousin but now I must go.
Love,
Amisi
this one is revised. 6-z
from kamen
ReplyDelete“What do you like better, Kamen the dates or the beef “said the pharaoh gently cleaning his face with a cloth. “ I liked the dates, but that’s my opinion sire” I said trying not to sound too casual. I followed the pharaoh to the throne, he sat on his throne like I was forgetting to say something, I finally spoke up and said “ anything the matter sire “ I said hoping that nothing was wrong. “ yes “ he said, he continued like he was lecturing me “ tomorrow, I want you to find me a new cook. The best cook there is in the whole city”. “Yes, sire “I said while kneeling and hold my anger in. This would be 20th cook we’ve had this week, I didn’t know one person could be so picky, irresponsible and or all the time I served him he still treated me like a servant.
The next day I wandered the city searching for a servant/cook. I saw all the common food like beef, wheat, barley, dates. Figs, sheep, beer and duck. But at the very moment I was complaining to myself I saw a beautiful young woman. She had pretest face custom linen tunic, wood sandals, sleek blonde hair, with a cloth wrapped around her neck- she was probably from a different country but since she had no jewelry, she was defiantly a slave
by liat
With the sun still low and dusk shone brightly against the desert lands of Egypt with the Nile running smoothly on a spring’s morning. I myself am sitting on the roof of my house making morning’s breakfast for my family and me. The bread was steaming with a dough smell wafting in the air. I looked up at the pharaoh’s palace imagining myself, Safiya, sitting on a throne with the power of the entire city in my hands, when I came to my sense and realized my bread was about to burn. Safiya . . . Safiya . . . My name means Pure after my Grandmother. My daughter’s name Shani meaning wonderful and my son’s name being Gahiji meaning Hunter. Oh, by the way I live in a city called Beni Suef of Lower Egypt.
ReplyDeleteMy hands are filthy from the clay, but I’m writing to you people from the future, even though you my never reach this piece of parchment, because you might want to know what I do. Well, if you can tell from the clay I’m a potter. My creation rounded many different ways and decorated with varies colors of berries. I am a potter, not because my mother was a potter, but because of the fact I enjoy the cold, wet clay between my fingers. My husband is a carpenter and my children sometimes work in the fields to make more money. Shani wishes to become a scribe and Gahiji wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. I, though unhappy that she did not follow me, am helping Shani with her dream of becoming a scribe. I’m giving her daily lessons for her to become a scribe. Gahiji is going with his father to work four times a week and enjoying it very much.
-Katja
this is for Zohra...excellent work including rich cultural detail, voice and personality. I especially like the details about the sacred scarab and festivals, and the way you build tension when her brother is bitten. You brought your character to life, and I can visualize her. Keep up the good writing, but remember to edit. You are missing a few commas, and in one scene the name of the temple is missing. mrs. Z
ReplyDeletethis is for Emily....great work including lots of cultural detail and personality in your journals. Remember to edit and to write in the voice of your character...use vocabulary and words appropriate for the time period...Example...reed barge instead of boat...they would not say it was a "fun festival." Try to work on the descriptions of setting and physical appearance. This will help the reader envision your scenes. Keep up the good work. Mrs. Z
ReplyDeletethis is for Joanna....outstanding and rich cultural detail and description...your writing is so detailed that I can envision your priestess so well. Great job building tension as she walks to the temple and all eyes are on her. Your were meant to be a priestess:) Mrs. z
ReplyDeletethis is for Danny D.......great work including lots of cultural detail in your journals. Something does not make sense in the first one....he makes mats, but then he is allowed to make them when others are sick. Remember to edit and to write in the voice of your character...use vocabulary and words appropriate for the time period...Example...I don't think he would say his work was easy and fun...it was probably very rigorous and exhausting.Try to work on the descriptions of setting and physical appearance. This will help the reader envision your scenes. Keep up the good work. Mrs. Z
ReplyDeleteJanuary 13, 2011 10:07 AM
this is for William's second journal...very authentic use of geography and other rich, descriptive details that bring your character and scenes to life. Exemplary writing.
ReplyDeleteMrs Z
this is for Liat..excellent work on your first journal..good use of cultural details, personality and voice. Be sure to edit ....prettiest is misspelled. Also, be cautious not to overuse dialogue - it can make the writing clunky and awkward. Great start - I can't wait to read more. Mrs Z
ReplyDeletethis if for Katja...this is a powerful first entry filled with excellent setting details and rich cultural description, and really captures your character's voice. I love the way she communicates through her clay, and I can envision her so well. Keep up the exceptional work. I can't wait to read more. Mrs. Z
ReplyDeletealso for Liat...although I said to be careful about dialogue, I love the lead. It really sets the scene very well. Mrs. Z
ReplyDeleteAudrey 6-z 18
ReplyDeleteDear Diary,
Today was my first day off in what seems like forever! Being a Scribe is harder than it’s judged. Anyway, I don’t want to talk about work considering it’s my day off. I got up as early as usual and started making grave goods. I made A LOT of stuff. A small statue of a Scribe writing on a scroll, an emerald studded golden necklace and a beautifully made white linen dress. I promised the kids I’d play Senet with them and I did. Shortly after I took them to see the process of our tombs and mine was amazing. Sadly the kids were disappointed because theirs were barely made! After that I went to the merchants and got a few handy things for my tomb. I know this will sound surprising but today was excruciatingly dull. I must get going now but it was fun writing today!!!
Love,
Amisi
Audrey 6-Z 18
ReplyDeleteDear Diary,
Today was the first day I really took a look at our beautiful house. Being rich and all, you always get beautiful stuff so nothing is unique. Finally I noticed the huge size of it and the amazing sun-dried bricks. The poor laborers don’t have as big a home as I. Even the floor in my house is magnificent! From the perfectly tiled floor to the fabulous paintings on the wall, my house great! Some locals complain about our very flat roofs but honestly, I couldn’t care less. At work I’m miserable! I have to work so hard! I’m almost going to get hired by the Pharaoh! If that happens we can get an even BIGGER house and I’ll get an even BIGGER salary! Wouldn’t that be great? Speaking of work, I’d better get back!!!
From,
Amisi
Egyptian Journal
ReplyDeleteDay 2
I didn’t get any sleep last night. All night I heard was my mother wailing. I found out my grandpa died. I was disappointed that I wouldn’t see him again. But I was in high spirits because he would be living in the afterlife now! We believe he can reach his full potential now that he is dead. We were putting a bunch of materials in his tomb to help him get started in the afterlife. We put jewelry, furniture, clothes, knives, spoons, plates, cosmetics, ornaments, statues and tools. Its important that the body was preserved. The hardest part was watching him become a mummy, first they washed and purified his body. Then they removed all of his organs and only left the heart. Then they filled his body with stuffing. Then they covered his body with natron to absorb all of the moisture on his body. They said after 40 days they would remove the stuffing and replaced with linen or stardust, then wrapped in linen and covered him in shroud and then put him in a sarcophagus I just hope he likes the new world.
Continued first entry---
ReplyDeleteThen, the instant the great Amen-Ra rose into the sky, I threw the silk cloth of many colors of the great statues head and Hathor's face was revealed. The joy, the terror, the love, the awesomeness, of her golden face... I could never describe it. I never will be able to either. You must experience it, to understand it. The strength of the singing and chanting increased. We washed her, applied perfume, spread oils on her glorious body, from which we had taken off yesterdays garmets, and put on the finest cosmetics in Dendara. (Our city.)Then we put on a beautiful robe of red, blue, green, and white on her. Near the end of our ceremony, I put some fragrant oil on my finger, and smeared it along her forehead. I then sealed the doors of her naos, and backed away, sweeping away my footprints. We then all presented more food, more incense was burned. We left it there for a while, then the rest of the priestesses and servants went to present them to the other, but lesser, deities of the temple. I stayed, for not long, kneeling and praying. I then left the main room of the temple and went to participate in the offerings. That took another hour. After this was finished, the priestesses stayed in the temple, praying and doing whatever needed to be done. I taught my apprentice, Aziza. her name meant precious, and so she was. I was glad that when I passed to the afterlife, Aziza would be there to take my place. Today, I taught her prayers, until time for the midday ceremony, where we drank, prayed, and burned incense. The doors were not opened. This ceremony, and the evening ceremony, are both the same, and not as important as the morning ceremony. They are important, of course, just not AS important. After the midday ceremony, I quized Aziza, and then taught her even more prayers. Then, the evening ceremony. When that was over, I praised Aziza for her good work, then went home after wishing everyone a good night, blessed by Hathor.
Journal entry 1
ReplyDeleteMy name is Amenti, it means realm of the dead. I am a blacksmith, I make weapons and armor for the pharaoh. I have a brother who is an astrologer Duat. Today I go to the pharaoh and will give him my creations. I went to the pharaoh and asked him if he could buy me some metal from the heavens. I am going to by more metal from the market, the pharaoh gave me his scroll.
I just showed the market man my message from the pharaoh to buy the metal from the heavens to melt down and make the finest golden armor for him. I went home my wife waiting with dinner along with our children.
The same as always chicken, bread water and wine. We ate and now we are in bed at the end of the day.
Dear diary,
ReplyDeleteToday I am back in the shop with my mother. I am going to make cmy clothing today and makeup to sell in the shop. You see people are very fond of looks. We always like to look nice but today I am much exited because my mom went to the market where she bought some linen cloth from the farmers for me to make clothing because mine is now to small.
The clothing that I where is made of linen, it has a gold border and my braided hair is pulled back with purple, green, and black ribbons. My mother says that I will only be able to work in the store for part of the day because I have to go back home to take care of my brother Kemsa who is very weak, he has been bitten by a crocodile. It is not a bad bite the crocodile barely got him but he is still weak so I have to take care of him. My father is a doctor so every night when he comes home from work he tries up some medicine for my brother to take. I am going to go make some hair wigs for the men and women in my village from vegetable fibers and real hair then I will die the wig red from the die of a henna plant. I will write again tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Eshe
from kamen
ReplyDeleteI walked over to her with out any hesitation all the commoners eyes were staring at me and I finally said “ please come to the palace to be a cook “ I said but it came out like I was pleading for help. “ yes I would like to be a cook, I’m quite good” said the girl in a soft voice, when I looked closer at the girl and I noticed she was only about 15 years old.
After that we went to the temple. to be continued ......
Journal of Haréré Tuesday 3/8/725 BC
ReplyDeleteI am not supposed to be writing right now, I am supposed to be watching that the bread does not burn. Nubit, golden lady, my mother, does not even know that I can write but I can because Awi, my brother who is a scribe, taught me. Last week I was supposed to carry Nubit’s face powders to the market but I didn’t do that either. When she finds out I will be punished. I shouldn’t have stayed in my room.
Now Nubit is on a cleaning rampage of the whole house and I have to get out but I don’t want to stop writing yet.
I snuck out through a hole in the floor of the bedroom I share with my sister Nanu, whose name means beautiful. That hole led me to the beams under the house that raise the house up from the ground. They are there because we live close to the Nile River. Now I am In the middle of town where the market is. From where I am atop the ironsmiths workshop I can hear him banging, I can smell manure and fresh bread, I can see people buying, selling, trading, and I can even glimpse our holy temple in the distance.
I heard a call: ’Haréré!’. It was my brother, Awi, the one who taught me how to write. “What are you doing up there?” He beckoned me down from the roof tops. I crawled down and made my way over to him. He asked me what I was holding.
My writing tablet! He had grabbed it and looked it over it over with wonder. Apparently he did not think I was listening when he went on about how exiting he thought it was that he was learning how to write.
He gave it back and my arms sunk to the weight of the clay. I was looking down at my colored reed sandals. I expected him to be mad and immediately run to tell Mother, but when I looked up he was smiling!
I am not done
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Asim (Asim means protector) even thou I do not protect any one and I need protection myself, my parents still gave me that name. My father is a scribe ascribes are people who write. I am very happy my father just became a part of royal family now we will have much more money we will owe a big amount of land and a big house. Most scribes get the job from their fathers because you have to pay a lot of money and pore people like farmers do not have enough money, while scribes do. And now I will have to do to a special school “I still did not decide if it is good ore not”. Also “the gift of the Nile” is coming up people are going to beg to the golden statue of Amun Ra.
A Day in the Life of a High Priest of Egypt
ReplyDeleteBy High Priest Iah
Translated by William Mahoney
DAY THREE
The travel to Thebes took much of my Ka (life force) out of me, and I fall asleep quickly every night, so I have not had much time to write. The idiot of a captain for our barge forgot to pray to Sobek, the crocodile god for a safe journey across the Nile. All through the journey, my son Alu kept claiming he saw hungry looking crocodile’ following our barge’s every move.
But here we finally are in Thebes, five sunrises after we left Khmun, and, most importantly, still in one piece. But enough of that, for the festivities have begun!
The Festival of Opet is held to celebrate the harvest and to prepare for a new. Thus, there is a lot of food here! On the great feast platter there were figs, pomegranates, dates, watermelons, and so much more! And it tasted so astounding, it made my taste buds tingle with anticipation when I took a whiff of the fruit.
After the feast, there was much singing and dancing, and a lot of noise! This wasn’t very exciting for me or my wife, but Alu had brought his hand-made sistrum rattle just to play along. I laughed as he chanted and waved the rattle in the air.
But after the festivities came the extremely important part. Several priests with shaved heads and the finest garments started to carry a veiled statue of the god Amun-Ra toward a fine reed boat. And who should I see behind them but the great Pharaoh! He was in full dress, with the Pshent, or the crown of both Upper and Lower Egypt on his head. He was followed by more priests, chanting prayers and waving smoking boxes of incense that were connected to a chain, which is what the priests were holding. The priests quickly loaded the statue of Amun-Ra onto the boat, because all of the prayers must be completed during the sun rise, because then Ra in his shining boat will see us honoring him as he rises out of the underworld and into the sky.
The priests did the first prayers, and then the Pharaoh prayed, and then, as the sun began to rise, we honored all that were in the underworld. I prayed for my father and his father, who set me on the path to becoming a priest. And then the priests unveiled the statue’s face and pushed the boat into the water. As everyone else around me mourned and cried tears of joy, I could practically see the eagle face of Ra smiling down on us. Truly spiritual.
Day 4
ReplyDeleteDear Journal,
OMG!!! The Pharaoh died today – King Tut!! Guess who has been chosen to record all of the things that we are burying with him? If you guessed ME, you guessed right.
This is a huge job. After he died, a bunch of other Egyptians started mummifying him. Whoa – you don’t want to know what that means. It can take about a month to mummify a person. Okay, cover your ears when I tell this.
When you mummify someone, you have to pull out all their guts. To get the brain, you have to break their nose and use a special hook to pull the brain out through the nose. Then you also have to remove the internal organs and put them in jars. But not the heart. The heart stays where it is, to keep the person’s thoughts. I hope I am not made a mummy when I die. It sounds gross. Oh wait a minute, what do I care? I’m going to be dead anyway so I won’t feel it.
But I’ll tell you who won’t be dead – the slaves they’re going to bury King Tut with. They do that so that the pharaoh will have people with him to take care of him even after he’s dead. Man,. I’m glad I’m not one of those guys. They have a poison with them, and after they drink it, purposely, they just lie down and wait to die in the tomb.
It’s not just slaves they will bury him with. They also bury a bunch of treasures, and sometimes they get an animal and mummify that too. They even mummify a whole ox sometimes. I don’t know if they bury things he might like with him. If it were me, I would want them to bury me with a couple of my slaves and my spear that my sister made me.
Like I said, it is my job to record all of the things they will bury with him. King Tut was a very important man so he will be buried with a lot of stuff. So all day I am recording things like crazy. By the third hour, I ran out of papyrus. In case you don’t know, Papyrus is made out of the papyrus plant, which grows in the Nile. And right now, I am completely out of it,
And behind the sarcophagus, I wrote a bunch of hieroglyphics. They gave the history of King Tut’s life. I covered the whole wall with it.
Most of us feel pretty confident about this tomb not being robbed. I mean, it’s not like some guy named Howard Carter is going to come by and just dig it up in a random place like this one. I mean, that couldn’t be any more random.
So anyway, I’m busy, I’m hot, I’m tired, and I’m in a building under ground. I love my job - okay, so sometimes it can get a little sweaty, but I love it.
Day 4
ReplyDeleteDear Journal,
OMG!!! The Pharaoh died today – King Tut!! Guess who has been chosen to record all of the things that we are burying with him? If you guessed ME, you guessed right.
This is a huge job. After he died, a bunch of other Egyptians started mummifying him. Whoa – you don’t want to know what that means. It can take about a month to mummify a person. Okay, cover your ears when I tell this.
When you mummify someone, you have to pull out all their guts. To get the brain, you have to break their nose and use a special hook to pull the brain out through the nose. Then you also have to remove the internal organs and put them in jars, but not the heart. The heart stays where it is, to keep the person’s thoughts. I hope I am not made a mummy when I die. It sounds gross. Oh wait a minute, what do I care? I’m going to be dead anyway so I won’t feel it.
But I’ll tell you who won’t be dead – the slaves they’re going to bury King Tut with. They do that so that the pharaoh will have people with him to take care of him even after he’s dead. Man,. I’m glad I’m not one of those guys. They have a poison with them, and after they drink it, purposely, they just lie down and wait to die in the tomb.
Dear diary,
ReplyDeleteToday my cousin Amisi and her parents ( my aunt and uncle) are coming to the village to visit us. They have come to check on my brother Kemsa while his bite is healing. When Kemsa first came home after my father had wrapped his hand in white linen the blood started to seep through, and the white linen turned to red. But now he bleeds no longer and is healing I hope he will be healed soon because I miss playing with him.
My cousins will arrive soon my father said to me and my brothers as soon as he said that smiles fell upon all three of our faces. I knew Kemsa would be delighted to see them just as I. I heard a knock at the door and my ears perked up seeing my cousin in her white linen dress similar to mine which we made together in my mothers shop. Amisi walked in with a big smile on her face just like mine I knew she was exited to we hadn’t seen each other since the festival of Amon.
Next my father sat us down to a meal of bread, fish, chickpeas, and beef. After dinner my cousin Amisi and I resumed to play with are dolls that we played with earlier before dinner. Our patents had given us these when we were about four years old. As we played I heard my brother Kemsa trying to talk to my other brother Kahotep, but was not really succeeding. He was to weak to talk. But he was being taken care of. Dinner was over and it was time for them to leave so we said our goodbyes as the left and walked out the door into the night.
Sincerely,
Eshe
I rewrote
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Asim (Asim means protector) even though I don’t protect any one, and I need protection myself, my parents still gave me that name. My father is a scribe, scribes are people who write and take notes. I am very exited because my father just became a part of royal family, now we will have much more money, we will owe a big amount of land, and a big house. Also I will have to go to a special school not .Most children get to become scribes by being a son of a scribe. Most people don’t have enough money to let their children go to a scribe school, while scribes do. The gift of the Nile is coming up, people are going to beg to a golden statue of Amun Ra.
from Kamen
ReplyDeleteI walked over to her with out any hesitation all the commoners eyes were staring at me and I finally said “ please come to the palace to be a cook “ I said but it came out like I was pleading for help. “ yes I would like to be a cook, I’m quite good” said the girl in a soft voice, when I looked closer at the girl, I noticed she was only about 15 years old.
After that we went to the temple, as we walked many people stared at us especially me. when we got to the temple we gave food offerings to the sun god, Ra and Osiris the god of death and rebirth. 10 minutes later a fight broke out right in front of me, i immediately pulled out my sword and pointed it to the commoner that started the fight then i said with a glare " stop this fight " that moment some people glared and some people smiled but overall in 5 minutes everyone fled to their homes .
by liat
from kamen
ReplyDelete“What do you like better Kamen, the dates or the beef?", said the pharaoh gently cleaning his face with a cloth. “ I liked the dates, but that’s my opinion sire” I said trying not to sound too casual. I followed the pharaoh to the throne, he sat on his throne like I was forgetting to say something, I finally spoke up and said “ anything the matter sire “ I said hoping that nothing was wrong. “ yes “ he said, he continued like he was lecturing me “ tomorrow, I want you to find me a new cook. The best cook there is in the whole city”. “Yes, sire “I said while kneeling and hold my anger in. This would be 20th cook we’ve had this week, I didn’t know one person could be so picky, irresponsible and or all the time I served him he still treated me like a servant.
The next day I wandered the city searching for a servant/cook. I saw all the common food like beef, wheat, barley, dates. Figs, sheep, beer and duck. But at the very moment I was complaining to myself I saw a beautiful young woman. She had pretest face custom linen tunic, wood sandals, sleek blonde hair - she was probably from a different country but since she had no jewelry, she was defiantly a slave
by liat
from kamen
ReplyDeletei brought back the girl back to the palace but when i arrived something terrible happened...
" the pharaoh is dead " i said but what i was really thinking was was :"it's about time "
i ordered a servant to take the pharaoh's body to the mummification site. 20 minutes later we arrived at the mummification site and the people who worked there immediately started the mummification process.
by liat
i brought back the girl back to the palace but when i arrived something terrible happened...
ReplyDelete" the pharaoh is dead " i said but what i was really thinking was was :it's about time
i ordered a servant to take the pharaoh's body to the mummification site. 20 minutes later we arrived at the mummification site and the people who worked there immediately started the mummification process.
from kamen
ReplyDeletei brought back the girl back to the palace but when i arrived something terrible happened...
" the pharaoh is dead " i said but what i was really thinking was was :it's about time
i ordered a servant to take the pharaoh's body to the mummification site. 20 minutes later we arrived at the mummification site and the people who worked there immediately started the mummification process.
by liat
Journal
ReplyDeleteEntry #1
My name is Ja this means mayor
I woke up this morning in my nice cozy bed that has fine linen sheets. My servants washed and shaved me then I walked over to the wooden cabinet on the other side of my room and chose a linen schenti ( a long skirt that is tied at the waist with a belt ). My leather sandals where laced and I was ready for the day.
Sincerely
Ja (J.J.)
Dear Journal,
ReplyDeleteI woke up very early and looked around my beautiful room. My bed had crisp, coarse linen sheets that my wife, Amunet had woven. I rolled out of my bed and opened the window to let the spring air filter into the large room. I prepared for my servant to shave and dress me before going downstairs for some bread and dates.
Within minutes my servant entered the room to dress and wash me. I was cleaned and dressed in a kilt and put on my jeweled leather sandals. After I left the room Amunet was dressed by another servant.
After breakfast I met with the person that was overseeing my land. So far, the crops were doing well. I had a lot of slaves that worked very hard in the fields. After that I went crocodile hunting.
During this time my wife was at home preparing for our evening feast. We will be serving the finest food and my favorite, pomegranates. We gave our guests a final meal which was prepared by the servant girls.
Amunet had prepared for the banquet all day. She was putting on her favorite wig when I returned home. The servants were prepping the wig by brushing and curling it. That evening, Amunet wore an amazing linen dress and jewelry that was made of gold and semi precious stones. At the banquet we listened to find music and watched the girls dance. It was wonderful!
Sincerely,
Fadil
(Fraser)
this is my third journal entry
ReplyDeleteDear journal
Today I woke up and saw a whole pile of sun dried brick in the corner of the room. My house is old and its not very well made. So the first part of my day I had to fix the wall. My house is square and it has a flat roof my house is made of sun dried bricks witch is made from mud from the Nile (another wonderful gift from the Nile) and straw. Then it was dried in the boiling sun. It last for a long time but its been existing for a long time. After I was done fixing my house a heard a loud screams. I walked outside and everyone was yelling “THE PHAOROH IS DEAD, THE PHAOROH IS GOING TO THE AFTERLIFE!” this might sound bad, but I was in a bit happy that he is going to the afterlife. Because this might be my last chance to get wealthy. If I am chosen to make the Pharaoh’s sarcophagus. I would get a big reward. My family wouldn’t have to worry about food. We would have different dinners. But the only thing I have get for this to work is… the job.
I walked throw town to get to my shop and since every body was crying and screaming out the terrible (good for me) news that occurred last night. It started to make my head hurt so I started to run so I could get away from the horrible noises. I finally got to my shop. I walked in and something was different then usually but I didn’t know what it was. So I looked around and every thing seemed normal escaped for the slip of paper on my desk. I picked it up and read it: Dear Nub, I would like to inform you that the pharaoh’s visors picked you to make the mask and sarcophagus. I should be made entirely out of sold gold and should have gems for decorations. It should be designed culturally and help him with his journey to the after life. If the task is done well there will be a big reward. After I read that last sentences I was frozen for two minutes and then ran home. I sprinted through the front door and was yelling, “Were going to be rich” over and over again. I told my family about the note and about what I have to do and if I do the task well there will be a big reward. That night for celebration we played a board game called senet. I went to bed early last night because of the big day tomorrow.
Celebrations and festivals
ReplyDeleteMy town has many festivals, today is the festival of opet. In this festival we celebrate the flooding of the Nile. All of the food comes from the Niles water that floods the dry soil making it wet rich soil to grown many plants and fruits. For this festival they asked our shop to go and get dates from the palm trees. My workers got many dates for the festival, the festival went on and on for a long time. It started with us thanking the gods, than after that there millions of acrobats performing tricks there were millions and millions of different fruits to eat it was amazing. So that’s how the feast of opet goes.
from kamen
ReplyDeleteThe pharaohs body was laid on a table, the first thing that was taken out was the brain by sticking a bronze hooked needle into the nose. Next the mummification people took a black stone and sliced the stomach to take out the organs. After that sickening experience
The organs and brain were washed with many liquids and then were dried. After being preserved for many days the organs and heart were put in a special container called a canopic jar. The canopic that would be placed in the pharaoh’s tomb when he was buried. Next the pharaohs was then wrapped head to toe in linen cloths. Finally the pharaoh was placed in his tomb with many riches, jewelry and items for everyday life.
by liat guvenc
EDITED VERSION
ReplyDeleteA Day in the Life of a High Priest of Egypt
By High Priest Iah
Translated by William Mahoney
DAY ONE
I can’t imagine a world of finer luxury than that of the high priest. Except maybe the life of the vizier. Or of course, the Pharaoh.
Every day I wake up in supreme luxury on a fine linen bed. I shave my head to purify myself, and I dress in a simple linen robe and papyrus reed sandles. After I eat a breakfast of fruits and wheat bread made by my servants, I make my way strait to the temple of Djehuti, god of the moon and writing. I was always meant to be the high priest of Djehuti. For one, my father was high priest to him, and priesthood is usually passed down by generation to generation. I also happen to live in the city of Khmun, which houses the great temple of Djehuti. For another thing, my name, Iah, means moon, which is one of the symbols of Djehuti.
Once I’m in the great temple, in which only I am allowed in, I take the statue of Djehuti out of its special shrine. This temple is where Djehuti lives. When I do rituals to him, I do it right in front of him to show our people’s appreciation. Once I take the giant Ibis-headed statue out, I clothe it, wash it, and give it a purified sacrifice. I then bow to it to show further admiration, and I back out of the temple, because it is highly disrespectful to turn your back on a god.
Outside the temple I set up a ritual to praise everything Djehuti has done for us. It involves burning candles and incense, and praising him through song. There are other rituals that will be done later by both me and the other priests, but this one is very important.
THIS IS SLIGHTLY REVISED, BUT IT IS NOT COMPLETLEY FINISHED! MRS ZABBIA PLEASE GIVE FEEDBACK!
Audrey 6-Z
ReplyDeleteDear Diary,
As i watch the sun set in the horizon, I long for sleep. My eye-lids are begging me to let them close. Unfortunatley, I have to stay awake. I'm writing a scroll for the temple. If it's good enough, I'll get to work for the Phatoah! The only reason I got to be one of the only girl scribes is because my parents were rich. Unlike most of the people in Scribe School...I passed! Even once I finish the scroll I can't go to sleep because I was offered A LOT OF MONEY IF A MAKE A DOCUMENT FOR A WOMANS TOMB!! I hope I don't wake anyone up. Everyone is a light sleeper this time of year, considering its so hot out in Summer! If I ever want to get any work done I'd better go.
From, Amisi
The pharaohs body was laid on a table, the first thing that was taken out was the brain by sticking a bronze hooked needle into the nose. Next the mummification people took a black stone and sliced the stomach to take out the organs. After that sickening experience
ReplyDeleteThe organs and brain were washed with many liquids and then were dried. After being preserved for many days the organs and heart were put in a special container called a canopic jar. The canopic that would be placed in the pharaoh’s tomb when he was buried. Next the pharaohs was then wrapped head to toe in linen cloths. Finally the pharaoh was placed in his tomb with many riches, jewelry and items for everyday life.
by liat guvenc
this is not revised
1st- but probably done, probably not going to edit or revise. But not the whole entry.
ReplyDeleteDAY 2
Today, I got up way before dawn, but I didn't dress as grandly as usual. Today, I was going to the temple, but today was going to be different. Aziza was to lead the ceremonies. It was part of her training. She will do this once a year, until she will take over my position. It is scary to think about, I've only had this job for three years. Aziza is thirteen, and she will be my apprentice for six more years. Then, she will be a priestess, until I pass on to the afterlife.
Anyway, after I heaved myself out of bed, (this was earlier than I usually got up, but I had to go and fetch Aziza), I rubbed myself with a warm wet cloth. I was to bath in the Sacred Lake later, but it is disrespectful to clean oneself of ordinary dirt in sacred water. I then put on a light blue robe and jewlery studded with semi-precious gemstones. I looked regretfully at the more beautiful jewlery and garmets, but today it was Aziza's day to shine. Not mine
I grabbed a few figs and ate them, as I headed outside. The air was pleasantly cool, even for spring. Aziza's house wasn't far, and I set out to fetch her. She was a noble, like me. Not many people were out at this time, mostly the slaves and servants, sent on various errands. They stared at me in awe. I lifted my chin high, and kept going, trying to walk as grandly as possible, without making it look like I was trying to. Soon, I reached Aziza's house, it was respectable and grand looking. I could see candlelight through the windows, and many figures bustling around. I smiled, I could already see that Aziza's family was very excited about her big day. When I reached the door, it swung open. Apparently, I had been watched. Aziza and her parents stood a few steps from me, Aziza in the middle with a pained expression, as her parents, applied cosmetics, perfumes, scarfs, adjusted her clothing... her expression brightened when she saw me.
"Mistress!"
"No, not Mistress." I corrected her. "Femi. That is my name for you now. Congratulations, my apprentice. You are now a woman. Thirteen! You are grown up now."
"Thank you Mi- Thank you, Femi."
"You're very welcome, Aziza, future High Priestess of Hathor, at her temple in Dendara."
Her parents smiles lit up the room.
"Be good now." Her father said.
"Good luck." Her mother said.
"We love you." They both said, tears dripping down their cheeks.
"It is time." I said. "We must be off."
After her parents had hugged and kissed Aziza to their delight, we were off. We walked most of the way in silence, until Aziza spoke.
"Femi? I'm not sure if this is rude, but you're so young, that you're more like a sister to me, then my teacher."
I smiled sadly. "Ah, Aziza. That is so. and you are like a sister to me, as well. My teacher died very young. A snake bit her, and the poison was to venomous, for even Hathor to cure. But let us not dwell on it. Today is a happy day!"
When we at last reached the temple, the priestesses swarmed Aziza. Congratulating her.
"No, now." I said. "Let us get ready. There is not much time left until the ceremony."
They nodded, and bustled off. Aziza was the one who gave my speech today. Her voice trembled, but I caught her eye, and gave her an encouraging smile
Audrey 6-Z
ReplyDeleteDear Diary,
As i watch the sun set in the horizon, I long for sleep. My eye-lids are begging me to let them close. Unfortunatley, I have to stay awake. I'm writing a scroll for the temple. If it's good enough, I'll get to work for the Pharoah! The only reason I got to be one of the only girl scribes is because my parents were rich. Unlike most of the people in Scribe School...I passed! Even once I finish the scroll I can't go to sleep because I was offered A LOT OF MONEY IF A MAKE A DOCUMENT FOR A WOMANS TOMB!! I hope I don't wake anyone up. Everyone is a light sleeper this time of year, considering its so hot out in Summer! If I ever want to get any work done I'd better go.
From, Amisi
Journal entry #1 first draft Ancient Egypt
ReplyDeleteHi! My name is Bennu which means eagle. All the girl slaves have to wear long white gowns or short robes around their waist and shirts on top. When we were little girls we wore NO CLOTHES because Egypt is a dessert so it is really hot!!!!!! The boy slaves had to wear tunics, which were robes and when they were little boys they wore NO CLOTHES TOO because it was really hot!!!!!!
DAY 5 PART ONE
ReplyDeleteYou know, I think I am very fortunate to be a scribe because I am part of only one percent of all of Egypt that has been trained to read and write these complicated hieroglyphics. Another thing is that the pharaoh rules all of Egypt but we scribes are the ones running it. I really do not think it is fair because we are doing all the work and the pharaoh gets all the credit!
Dear diary,
ReplyDeleteToday I am back in the shop with my mother. I am going to make my clothing today and makeup to sell in the shop. You see people are very fond of looks. We always like to look nice but today I am much exited because my mom went to the market where she bought some linen cloth from the farmers for me to make clothing becaused mine is now to small.
The clothing that I where is made of linen, it has a gold border and my braided hair is pulled back wit h purple, green, and black ribbons. My mother says that I will only be able to work in the store for part of the day because I have to go back home to take care of my brother kemsa who is very weak, he had been bitten by a crocodile. It is not a bad bite the crocodile barely got him but he is still weak so I have to take care of him. When my mother comes home from working she will then take care of Kemsa. She will expect the house clean so after I feed him he will probably fall asleep and that is when I shall do it. After my mother comes home I will have some spare time to go outside and get out of my cramped house and play with the kids in my village. we play all kinds of things like catch with balls made from dried grass and leather stitched together. The girls here in Egypt usually play separate from the boys. Oh sorry I have to go my brother is calling me.
Sincerely, Eshe
Dear Diary,
ReplyDeleteToday I am visiting my beloved family, my Aunt, Uncle and three cousins. We are coming to visit there house in the village to check on Kemsa with the crocodile bite. My father told my mother and me to be prepared for whatever we see. I am nervous because I do not no how bad the bite actually will be.
We approached there small and tidy hut I prayed to the gods and goddesses just one more time before my family entered. He was on a separate bed on the left side of the hut. His hand rapped in white linens. He looked well rested and happy to see us. My father and uncle went of in a separate area in the hut to discuss something that seemed private, something that I should not listen to. We visited with Kemsa for a little longer until his mother came over and told him he should get a little more rest before we all had dinner. I walked over to my cousin, Eshe and we began to play with are dolls. We had both asked for dolls for are birthdays and that was what we each resaved. I was very grateful that my Mother had made me a doll. It was a very fine doll with a full head of long hair. The beautiful hair was made of mixture of real hair and vegetable fibers. I thought the hair was very special because that is exactly what they use to make real wigs. We sat both wearing white linen dresses very similar to each others. We had made them together in my aunt’s shop with the help of my mother who had walked with me to the shop to help out.
A few hours later Kemsa was awoken and the smell of fresh bread and fish was in the air. As we sat at the table I saw the juicy beef and my mouth began to water. There was also chick peas to the side which was one of my favorite vegetables. I was very sad though because it was dinner which meant it was almost time for the visit to end. We left the table and Eshe and I began are play once again with are wonderful dolls. The night was slipping away. So we had to leave. I was glad for the visit and hope to see them again soon.
Love,
Amisi
Dear diary,
ReplyDeleteI have just come back in from playing outside with the kids in my village we don’t really get that much time to play but when we do we have the best time of lives! My mother and father only let me go once all my work is done like, cleaning the house helping mother in the shop, taking care of my sick brother, exedra. I am always very happy when I get spare time because that is when I get to play.
One of the things that I love to play is catch with a ball made from leather that is sewn together and grasses that are put inside to give it weight and shape. Girls and boys here in Egypt do not usually play together. The boys will play with other boys and the girls will play with other girls but because I am the younger of my two brothers they will often take me with them on their fun adventures and show me how stuff is done. Every chance that I get to spend time with them I jump at because like I said before boys don’t really play with the girls here. I love both of my brothers dearly and love to spend time with them both.
Sincerely,
Eshe
DAY 1
ReplyDeleteDear Journal,
It was another extremely hot day here on the farm. Another day and there are so many jobs I have to do today. My name is Aahas I am a slave and work as a farmer I was sold from my father into slavery than in few days after I was sold to slavery my father was capture during a war. I work all day in the hot sun me and my friends that are also slaves plant crops such as wheat, barley, vegetables ,figs, melons, pomegranates ands vines the most important crop that we have to plant is grain it is used to make bread and beer. There are two main farming seasons there is the growing season and the harvest season me and other people that were into slavery they work in fields farming crops or vegetables.
Dear Diary,
ReplyDeleteToday while I was sitting on my bed I felt very sad because I had no one to play with. I looked around my hut and tears came to me eyes as I saw the empty bed over on the right. My younger brothers bed in fact. He had died when he was only 5 he was pretending to hunt. He was content playing with the air for about a half hour, but then he decided that he wanted to pretend to “hunt” with something real. He went into the small area of are hut where my fathers bow and arrow was kept. He took the bow and arrow and began to play with it. He tried shooting it to the ground a few times. Then he tried shooting it far out. He did not pay any attention to where the arrow was heading. He ran out to find the arrow, but when he did he tripped on a root and fell onto the arrow. Which was sticking up out of the ground which then stabbed him. He died that night. I smiled though knowing that he is enjoying the afterlife. I was happy that he was now with Ra. I every night said a silent prayer to him. My family and I believe that he is looking after us and that makes me feel safe.
I got off of my bed and walked out of are hut. I did at least have the other kids from other families to play with. My Mother and Father both are at work, so I had sometime to play, because I had finished my chores. The sun shined on my face. I thought about what game I could play.
I looked around and saw 7 other kids playing. I walked over to see what the game was. Two of the boys were wrestling, 3 girls balancing and two girls playing ball. The ball they were playing with seemed to be made out of papyrus, a long stemmed plant. It grows in the damper regions of the Nile River. After a little while of balancing with the other girls the two girls playing ball began to balance with us. After an hour I asked if they would like to play my favorite game, tug of war. They agreed and we split up in teams of 3 and we played for a long while. I had to stop playing though because it was time to set the table for dinner. I took out the dishes from the cupboard made of silver that my father, being a goldsmith had made. We had a wonderful dinner. That night I fell asleep and was very happy with the day I had. I looked over at the empty bed. But really it was not empty it was full of love and I was happy. I fell asleep being one with lovely thoughts of my brother in my mind.
Dear Diary,
ReplyDeleteToday while I was sitting on my bed I felt very sad because I had no one to play with. I looked around my hut and tears came to me eyes as I saw the empty bed over on the right. My younger brothers bed in fact. He had died when he was only 5 he was pretending to hunt. He was content playing with the air for about a half hour, but then he decided that he wanted to pretend to “hunt” with something real. He went into the small area of are hut where my fathers bow and arrow was kept. He took the bow and arrow and began to play with it. He tried shooting it to the ground a few times. Then he tried shooting it far out. He did not pay any attention to where the arrow was heading. He ran out to find the arrow, but when he did he tripped on a root and fell onto the arrow. Which was sticking up out of the ground which then stabbed him. He died that night. I smiled though knowing that he is enjoying the afterlife. I was happy that he was now with Ra. I every night said a silent prayer to him. My family and I believe that he is looking after us and that makes me feel safe.
I got off of my bed and walked out of are hut. I did at least have the other kids from other families to play with. My Mother and Father both are at work, so I had sometime to play, because I had finished my chores. The sun shined on my face. I thought about what game I could play.
I looked around and saw 7 other kids playing. I walked over to see what the game was. Two of the boys were wrestling, 3 girls balancing and two girls playing ball. The ball they were playing with seemed to be made out of papyrus, a long stemmed plant. It grows in the damper regions of the Nile River. After a little while of balancing with the other girls the two girls playing ball began to balance with us. After an hour I asked if they would like to play my favorite game, tug of war. They agreed and we split up in teams of 3 and we played for a long while. I had to stop playing though because it was time to set the table for dinner. I took out the dishes from the cupboard made of silver that my father, being a goldsmith had made. We had a wonderful dinner. That night I fell asleep and was very happy with the day I had. I looked over at the empty bed. But really it was not empty it was full of love and I was happy. I fell asleep being one with lovely thoughts of my brother in my mind.
Love,
Amisi
sorry the last one did not say my eygptian name so now i wrote it.
Dear Diary,
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Amisi, this mean flower. Today my family and I are on are way to the festival to celebrate the god of life named Amon. This takes place in September. We are going with my Aunt and Uncle and 3 cousins eshe, and her 2 brothers. The festival is a really fun time. My cousin, Eshi and I take part in it. While she is playing flute, I am doing dancing and I am doing acrobat moves. I love to eat and drink at the festival we have great food. Things like bread, onions, leeks, lettuce, and all kinds of beans. There were grapes to make wine which my Dad let me have one sip of at the festival. The festival last for a Month nobody worked and it was a great family time! This festival is about celebration of the god Anom as I said before. There is a great beautiful statue of Anom and in the festival we put this statue on a boat and we say prayers and wishes to the statue. Things like let us have a good season with crops, or hope that no robbers rob a tomb of a family member. I promise to write more later but now I must go and join the festivities.
Love,
Amisi
this one has a different begining
Dear diary,
ReplyDeleteToday my cousin Amisi and her parents (my aunt and uncle) are coming into the village to visit us. They have come to check on my brother Kemsa while his bite is healing. When Kemsa first came home after my father had wrapped his hand in white linen cloth the blood started to seep through, and the white linen turned to red. But now he bleeds no longer and is healing. I hope he will be healed soon because I miss going on adventures with him in the hot dry desert.
My cousins will arrive soon my father said to me and my brothers as soon as he said that smiles fell upon all three of our faces. I knew Kemsa would be delighted to see them just as I and the rest of my family. I heard a knock at the door and my ears perked up seeing my cousin in her white linen dress similar to mine which we made together in my mothers shop. Amisi walked in with a big smile on her face; just like mine I knew she was exited too we hadn’t seen each other since the festival of Amon god of life.
Next my father sat us down to a meal of bread, fish, chickpeas, and beef a frequent meal we have here in Egypt. After dinner my cousin Amisi and I resumed to play with are dolls that we played with earlier. Our parents had given us these when we were about four years old. As we played I heard my brother Kemsa trying to talk to my other brother Kahotep, but was not really succeeding. He was too weak to talk. But he was being taken care of. I’m not sure if he would have made it without my father even though they didn’t have any resources out next to the river in the middle of the desert my father saved his life and we are all very thankful to the gods that he made it. Dinner was over and it was time for them to leave so we said our goodbyes as the left and walked out of the entrance of our hut and into the night.
Love,
Eshe
Revise #1
Dear diary,
ReplyDeleteToday I am going to the festival of Amon god of life with my aunt uncle and cousin Amisi. These festivals last for nearly a month while they go on we don’t really work. They take place at the time during the year when the Nile river floods. This signifies the new-year and planting season. Every one goes to these festivals including rich and poor people witch does not happen often. It is so much fun my cousin and I even participate in it, I play the flute while she dances and does acrobatics! During the festival the priests come out of the temple holding a golden statue of one of the gods Amon. Next we put the statue on a beautiful boat made of reeds and let it sale down the river. While this is happening all the people by the river banks will start to plead and beg the god. For example if a loved one is sick the family members or friends will beg the god for them to get better and if they don’t have enough food they will beg for that and so on.
We have just arrived at the festival and it is wonderful soon I will play my flute and my cousin will dance. My mother has brought some lotion from her shop for us to put on. This lotion made from animal fat not only makes our skin look better but protects it from the hot dry sunny weather. After my cousin and I are done playing and dancing it is time for the statue to sail down the Nile my cousin Amisi and I stand there and pray mean while we hear the beggars asking and pleading with the gods. Now the day is over and it is time for us to go back to camp the festival will continue in the morning but for now good night.
Love,
Eshe revised
this is for Audrey...
ReplyDeletegreat voice, personality, and cultural detail about scribe work. Watch out for approprite time period vocabulary...don't stay "stuff" - you use that word twice. Check your spelling in the 1/14 blog - pharaoh. Keep up the good work.
Mrs. Z
this is for Charlie...
ReplyDeleteoutstanding detail when Mom is wailing as grandpa goes to the afterlife to reach his full potential. Your writing creates an amazing story and character(s) and you managed to make the mummification process sound personal and very real to these characters. Great writing!
Mrs.Z
this is for Joanna...
ReplyDeleteoutstanding details about your priestess character...she comes to life through your writing....excellent work creating a beautiful scene and building tension when she walks through the crowd to Azizi's house.
Mrs z
this is for Nick...
ReplyDeletegood start to your journal writing. Work towards elaborating and stretching out each scene and event...don't switch from one thing to another so quickly...keep up the good work... I look forward to your next blog. Mrs. Z`
this is for Jessica...
ReplyDeletegreat start to your journal writing. I enjoy working with you because you work so hard.. we will continue to work on creating the setting and physical description for your character...eyes, hair, clothing, etc.
Mrs Z
This is for Emily...
ReplyDeletegreat use of cultural and character description and storytelling. Excellent use of small details. In 1/14, name the actual god(dess) when your character prays. Check your spelling - wrapped (not rapped) and received. Your description of the meal made my mouth water. You created a great images - the empty bed -it was so effective when you came back to that image at the end of the journal. Also, the younger brother looking down on them in 1/15, edit for spelling and don't say "fun" for the festival - use a more authentic word. Keep up the exemplary work. Mrs. Z
this is for Manny...
ReplyDeleteexcellent work so far. You are using excellent details to describe what life in ancient Egypt was like for your slave character. Keep up the good work.
Mrs. Z
this is for Fraser...
ReplyDeleteexcellent work so far. You are using excellent details to describe what life was like in ancient Egypt for your character. Keep up the good work.
Mrs. Z
this is for Zohra...
ReplyDeletegreat use of cultural and character description and storytelling. Excellent use of small details like "the white lined turned to red". I can picture that scene so well - your writing brings your story to life. check your grammar in Revised #1 and spelling in 1/14 - excited (not exited). Keep up the good work. Mrs. Z
this is for Alana...
ReplyDeletegreat use of cultural and character description and storytelling. Excellent use of small images ans setting details - your description of the marketplace is breathtaking. Your writing creates a beautiful character and tells a great story. Keep up the exemplary work. Mrs. Z
this is for Liat...
ReplyDeleteExcellent work creating a mood and feeling for your journals. Most of the dialogue is very effective in building your character and story, and also in creating tension. I want to hear more! Please edit for punctuation on dialogue - don't forget the comma in between dialogue and speaker tags. Keep up the good work. Mrs. Z
this is for William...
ReplyDeleteOutstanding use of cultural and character description. Powerful storytelling and setting description. The feast of Opec is breathtaking. I love your journals, but you asked for advice. If you want to try some new techniques, look at the following....notice the way Joanaa builds setting and tension in the scene where her priestess is walking to Azizi's house (1/14)...notice how Emily uses a great image of an empty bed, and then comes full circle back to that image at the end (1/15). You might consider one of these techniques to improve your already exemplary work. Mrs Z
this is for Terrence...
ReplyDeletegreat use of cultural and character description and storytelling. Excellent use of details about mummification....try to avoid using modern slang terms like "OMG" or "sounds gross" or "stuff" Use vocabulary that is authentic to the period. I am so impressed by your work so far, Terrence.
Mrs Z
this is for George...
ReplyDeletegood start to your journal writing. Nice details about the life of a scribe. Continue to build your story and write more about "the gifts of the Nile" and how /why the Nile and the gods were so important to the Egyptians. Good work on editing - continue to do this. I look forward to your next journal blog. Mrs. Z
Written on Monday...
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed by all of the journal writing!! Keep up the stellar work.
No journals from Joey, Joshua, Danny F, Sonja, Blanca, Jaquelyn, or Adrian, and of course, Laura has been away.
Where are the rest of you? Looking forward to hearing from you (Sonja, I know that you have been sick, and will catch up when you get back.) Mrs. Zabbia
Mrs. Zabbia
this is for Emily's journal on the Peterson blog...
ReplyDeleteexcellent writing and powerful details about the visit to her aunt and uncle. I love the image of Dad and uncle whispering something private. Edit for correct use of there/their and spelling of wrapped (not rapped). Keep up the good work.
Day 2
ReplyDeleteMy friends and i that are Men’s normally wore loincloths or short skirts for farming crops. Women’s that were. Slaves wore robes or tight dresses, some with straps that covered the woman’s breasts or with one or both breasts exposed, depending on the particular style of the time. Children rarely wore clothing until they reached puberty. When I became a slave there was this guy that was capture also during a war and then in few days he became an important slave and had to wear the same cloths as the master wore.
this is for Manny...
ReplyDeletegood job doing your work on a holiday I'm so impressed! Let's coninue to work on your description of life as a slave. I can't wait to read your next journal. Mrs Z
Day 6
ReplyDeleteOkay, so I’ve studied 12 years for this job, just like all scribes. Boy was it worth it. This is actually a pretty hard job, just like I said on the first day. I am writing all the time, and this Pharoah job is the biggest thing I’ve ever done.
To top it all off, I forgot to put kohl on my eyes this morning. So I look odd, and the sun is killing my eyes.
But anyway, here I am back in the Pharoah’s tomb. I am finally done writing Tutankhamen over and over again on the walls and on his sarcophagus (that’s an Egyptian coffin made for mummies). The reason I had to write his name so many times was so that he would live again. We Egyptians believe that if a dead person’s name is spoken, they will live again.
Tutankhamen! Tutankhamen! Tutankhamen! I mean, who wants to keep writing that all day? I thought I should just write King Tut with no one looking. I sure hope I don’t get fired!
The other thing about being Egyptian is that there is always an afterlife. We believe that whatever is shown on the walls of our tombs will be part of our afterlife. So I have to put good things on these walls that Tut (sorry, I mean Tutankhamen), would like. That would be music, food, hunting, all the kinds of things he liked when he was alive.
When I die, here’s what I want on my walls – a picture of me playing senet with my sister, a couple of slaves, a donkey, and lots and lots of hummus and Egyptian bread.
Day 3
ReplyDeleteIt was another day of hard work in this hot sunny farm it was time for planting plants in the soil. But one of the most important thing i have to get so plants can grow is water I have to go to the Nile River to get water for the plants one of the most important thing I do during my daily life as a farmer is going hunting or just planting plants or if my master lets me go some were I can go around places he lets me do all this things because I’m a hard worker and he said if I worked harder than usually I can buy my salve out of slavery and then I can be a free man.but the most important thing I like to do usually around my daily life is going hunting. Some things I also like doing is going out and killing deer but there was one time that I got sick because a deer had ticks and my master did not care if I died or got sick.
Dear Journal,
ReplyDeleteThe feast last night was great! Guests were given cones of perfumed wax and lotus flowers by servant girls.
Today, I left Thebes by chariot and headed for my estate on the banks of the Nile. I met with the overseer, Adofo who gave me the latest information on any cattle and geese. Adofo told me what to expect for the harvest. Adofo and I ate lunch together. Afterwards I took a siesta to avoid of the afternoon heat.
We held another banquet tonight. Guests arrived by chariot. Others were carried on decorated litters. We ate geese, fish, roasted ox and goats. My favorite was dessert. We ate grapes, melon, figs and pistachio nuts that were served on golden plates. A few hours later the guests went home and the place was a mess. The servants took care of it. Amunet and I went to bed.
Good Night!
Fadil
(Fraser)
this is for Terrence...
ReplyDeleteyour last journal is excellent - outstanding cultural detail about scribe's work written with an authentic voice. keep up the good work. Mrs. Zabbia
this is for Manny...
ReplyDeletegreat job explaining life on the farm and your character's hard work. Mrs Z
this is for Fraser...
ReplyDeleteI can picture the feast and beautiful home of your Egyptian character. Good work!\mrs Z
The 30th Day of Proyet (the Month of Emergence) By Sonja Gould
ReplyDeleteIt’s a hot dusty morning in the city of Thebes. It might be winter, yet it’s eighty degrees. The streets are packed with people of all sorts – slaves carrying loads of wheat and barely, merchants selling their goods, camels loaded with stuff. I’m on my way to a job opportunity of a lifetime: working as a scribe for the pharaoh. Of course, I would be only one of hundreds of scribes who work for the pharaoh.
I arrived at the palace. As you probably know from my first entry, I have just graduated from my tablet house. Since I’m just starting out, I will not be paid as well as those who have more experience. I walked into the palace and was greeted by an older man. He wore beautiful white linen on his chubby little body. The linen comes from a plant called flax which is extremely hard to make. He was carrying a scroll made out of papyrus. He said, “Can I help you?” I said, “I’m here to apply for the scribe position in the historical department.” He looked at me. “I am the director of the historical department. Sit here,” he said in a cold voice. “I am going to dictate something to you. Copy it onto this papyrus paper, and I will see how you do. If you do OK, I will consider you for the job.”
This was the opportunity of a lifetime. I simply nodded. I sat down on the cold stone floor with my tablet. I held the board in one hand. I opened up my case of fine brushes and pens. I spread out the papyrus. My hand shook.
The man began to dictate rapidly. “There are over 2000 gods and goddesses that we have worshipped over the last 2000 years. Most have the head of an animal and the body of a human. Each one represents different things, such as pleasure, destruction and death. Amun is the king of the gods, one of the most powerful gods in the universe. He has the head of a ram; rams are sacred animals. When Amun is combined with the sun god Ra, he is even more powerful, if that’s even possible. He is then called Amun-Ra.”
“Now,” he said in a flat cold voice, “read that back to me.”
I read it back to him. My voice shook and I mispronounced several words. I have never been so nervous in my life. How could I do this to myself.”
He snatched the tablet away from me and carefully read what I had written.
“You may leave.” He said. I gathered up my materials and climbed to my feet. As he walked away he said, “You start tomorrow. Report to me at sunrise.” I was so shocked I didn’t know what to say. I stood for several moments with my mouth open. The official turned, “I said you may leave,” he said impatiently. “Yes, sir.” I mumbled as I turned to go, tripping over my own feet.
I ran all the way the way home. I burst into the house. “Mother,” I cried. “I have been hired by the Minister of Historical Records. I start tomorrow.
Celebrations and festivals
ReplyDeleteMy town has many festivals, and today is the festival of Opet. In this festival we celebrate the flooding of the Nile. All of the food comes from the Nile water that floods the dry soil making it wet rich soil to grown many plants and fruits. For this festival they asked our shop to go and get dates from the palm trees. My workers got many dates for the festival, the festival went on and on for a long time. It started with us thanking the gods, than after that there were millions of acrobats performing tricks there were lots of different fruits to eat it were amazing. So that’s how the feast of Opet goes.
Religion
ReplyDeleteMy town has a very big temple right in the middle of town, every night after work I got there and pray to the temple gods, I pray for what ever I need. Usually I pray for grain and food, because lately I have been pretty low on food. Our town is not afraid of the gods so whenever our wishes aren’t granted we would whack the statue to let him know how we felt. Most people whose wishes weren’t granted would hit with a small reed, but people who were really mad would throw small pebbles or long reeds. I don’t do that because I don’t like to be mean.
Food
ReplyDeleteI mostly eat bread, various types of vegetables, fish, figs and dates. I pick the grapes myself and I cook the bread myself. But lately it has been very hot and the grapes are scarce. I buy the fish at the market; I also buy the figs and dates at the market. On rare occasions I get to eat meat the meat is mostly goat but sometimes I get beef. The reason I eat meat on rare occasions is because only the rich eat meat and the less rich like me usually eat fish or birds. I wish that I was richer and I could eat meat whenever I want, I wish this because I really don’t like fish.
Leisure
ReplyDeleteI mostly work all week but on Saturdays I don’t have work or temple so that’s mostly when I have free time. When I have free time I enjoy playing board games and hunting birds to eat. The board games I like to play are Menhan which is a game where you race through a maze on a snake. The game was mostly played on a carved piece of wood. But the rich played on a table. I also like playing Seega which is a mixture of checkers and chess. The birds I like to eat are usually sea birds that fly over the Nile River. So that’s what I do when I have free time.
Dear Journal,
ReplyDeleteHi. My name is Aepep. It means moon snake. I don’t know why my parents named me that but maybe I can ask them in the afterlife. I am a Nobleman. I have a beautiful wife and a wonderful son. We live in Thebes.
Tomorrow we are going to the Festival of Opet. It will be marvelous! The Nile will flood and there will be no work for a month! (YES) There are going to be 4 priests with shaved heads carrying a statue of Amen-Ra. There will be a huge feast and a lot of entertainment. There will be watermelon, dates, figs, beer, and bread. There will also be young girls playing the sistrum rattle.
My entire family will be going to the festival and we are all very, very, very excited.
-Aepep
Moon Snake
BY: DANNY FRANKEL
continued from my latest post
ReplyDeletefrom kamen
The pharaoh’s body was laid in a table. The first step of the procedure was sticking a long bronze hooked needle into the nostril and pulled the brains out of the nose. Next they took a sharp stone and cut a strait line across the stomach and took out the organs from the stomach. After that sickening experience the organs where washed with herbs and liquids which dried the organs. After being dried for many days, the organs were put in a special container called a canopic jar that would be placed with the pharaoh in his tomb. Finally the tomb was filled with riches, jewelry and items for everyday life. Truly an honor to see. But all must come to an end, and let the festival begin
by liat
Tomorrow is the festival of Opet. The priest is going to carry the golden statue of Amen Ra, me and all the people who are going to be at the festival are going to beg to Amen Ra fore the staff that they want. Also the festival of Opet is celebrated every yare when the Nile floods its river banks. Every one is going to go to the festival including me. No body works during that time because the farmer’s crops are getting flooded, and there is a lot of farmers. The cores girls are going to sing songs the acrobats are going to do tricks and. It will be very exiting. My dad will not work too and I will again be with his all day.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Zabbia, do you think you can tell me about how many culture topics I've finished writing about.
ReplyDeleteWilliam
I want to be a scribe but writing is work to be done by men so I am stuck helping Nubit grind rocks and pour water. But I guess I don't give making makeup enough credit. It is difficult to make a cream that is exactly the right texture. She says she will savor the day when makeup is powder.
ReplyDeleteDay one
ReplyDeleteGood morning journal,
You know how my name Bahiti means good luck and fortune? Well, it seems that that is the wrong name for me. My mother said that I smell, my father said that I am wearing my clothes wrong, and my brother said that I ‘look like a fish that had been in the sun for a while’. I had one thing to say to that: “and you look like a dead rat.” To which he walked away. I took a bath promptly and asked father how to wear the priestess clothing. “Ask your mother, she’s a woman,” he told me, so I did.
School is going well, and I got nice comments from Sister. She says I'm doing well in the ritual training. My advising skills need some work I admit and I'm still working on not choking up when I say the rites for a funeral. But I think I should choke up, the family should know that they are not the only ones who cared about the dearly departed I am to be sending to the Duat. But I would never tell Sister that, this where I tell my ideas I could never show to anyone or tell anyone.
-Bahiti, a soon to be Priestess of Bastet
Dear journal
ReplyDeleteToday I woke up and my wife was already up making breakfast. What we usually have for breakfast is bread. She was making Egyptian bread and I love it so much. She makes it so well. When she was done making the bread we sat down on the cushions and started to eat. My son Ammun goes to the local village school, he walks to school every day. He ate earlier then all of us because he needed o get there early. After I ate, I started to walk to my shop. When I got there I drew my plans on the mask. I was going to have a solid gold mask with some blue and red on inks for decorations. I was going to need a lot of gold, blue and red ink and jewels. The mask would have the pharaoh’s face for the head and he would where a blue striped wig. Most mummies would have a striped wig. Under the wig I am going to have my brother write a prayer under his head. The prayer that will be written is to Anubis so he could have a good burial. After I do that I will draw the face. It will be drawn with black ink also the face will have eye makeup. The mask had a blue pointy beard like most other mummies.
When I finished to masked I went on to the coffin. It was going to have religious hieroglyphics on the whole body. The Pharaoh was very important he led us in a war and we won so I want him to be happy in the afterlife. The after life is what happens after you die. We barry the body with all his jewels and possessions so he will have it. On the stomach of the mummy I put some jewels to add some brightness. Last I made the bottom of the case witch wasn’t so hard because you didn’t have to decorate it. After that finally I finished. The biggest project of my whole life was complete but not entirely. I walked to what was the Pharaoh’s palace and told one of the noble men I was finished. He sent four slaves to get the mummy case and bring it back. It must have been really heavy because it took a long time. The noble men didn’t like how long it took and WIMPED ALL FOUR OF THEM! I was really disturbed of what he did to them but I was already worried enough. The man stared at it for a while then started to walk around it 5 times. It almost felt longer then the slaves getting to mummies case. Finally he stopped walking and spoke… “I really like the hieroglyphics and the mask is done really well. I was trying to find someone to take the job and I think you’re the just right man. Will you be the Pharaohs personal goldsmith? And I will give you a big reward for this” he said. I smiled and said yes I bowed and walked away. While I was walking home I thought to myself that this was the last night we were only having a loaf of bread.
Dear journal
ReplyDeleteToday I woke up and my wife was already up making breakfast. What we usually have for breakfast is bread. She was making Egyptian bread and I love it so much. She makes it so well. When she was done making the bread we sat down on the cushions and started to eat. My son Ammun goes to the local village school, he walks to school every day. He ate earlier then all of us because he needed o get there early. After I ate, I started to walk to my shop. When I got there I drew my plans on the mask. I was going to have a solid gold mask with some blue and red on inks for decorations. I was going to need a lot of gold, blue and red ink and jewels. The mask would have the pharaoh’s face for the head and he would where a blue striped wig. Most mummies would have a striped wig. Under the wig I am going to have my brother write a prayer under his head. The prayer that will be written is to Anubis so he could have a good burial. After I do that I will draw the face. It will be drawn with black ink also the face will have eye makeup. The mask had a blue pointy beard like most other mummies.
When I finished to masked I went on to the coffin. It was going to have religious hieroglyphics on the whole body. The Pharaoh was very important he led us in a war and we won so I want him to be happy in the afterlife. The after life is what happens after you die. We burry the body with all his jewels and possessions so he will have it. On the stomach of the mummy I put some jewels to add some brightness. Last I made the bottom of the case witch wasn’t so hard because you didn’t have to decorate it. After that
The next one leads on to it was to large to process.
finally I finished. The biggest project of my whole life was complete but not entirely. I walked to what was the Pharaoh’s palace and told one of the noble men I was finished. He sent four slaves to get the mummy case and bring it back. It must have been really heavy because it took a long time. The noble men didn’t like how long it took and WIMPED ALL FOUR OF THEM! I was really disturbed of what he did to them but I was already worried enough. The man stared at it for a while then started to walk around it 5 times. It almost felt longer then the slaves getting to mummies case. Finally he stopped walking and spoke… “I really like the hieroglyphics and the mask is done really well. I was trying to find someone to take the job and I think you’re the just right man. Will you be the Pharaohs personal goldsmith? And I will give you a big reward for this” he said. I smiled and said yes I bowed and walked away. While I was walking home I thought to myself that this was the last night we were only having a loaf of bread.
ReplyDeleteMy father taught me how to hunt; I found it enjoyable to do. We would use sharp little sticks to kill birds. My mother and father loved to fish it was their passion. So they both taught me two ways using a net; which was the easy one, then there was the one that you had to use a spear which was a lot harder. We would also go to festivals and eat and have pray to the gods. We would also make statues for the day we travel to the afterlife; we would put the statues or the possessions that you made in your tomb, they are called gravegoods.
ReplyDeleteIn Egypt we would use very fancy clothing in special events that were sometimes expensive. Our shoes are sandals, made out of leather or papyrus. In special occasions you wore silk such as when the pharaoh dies or when there is a new pharaoh crowned. My father wore a tunic all the time, it’s like a skirt. My mother wore a dress that was comfortable and loose for the heat, because in Egypt it was very hot and the people needed to wear something comfortable, that’s loose. The priests wore animal skin and the pharaohs would wear animal skin because it meant that they serve the gods.
ReplyDeletecharlie
ReplyDeleteday 2 finalized
Egyptian Journal
Day 2
I didn’t get any sleep last night. All night I heard was my mother wailing. I found out my grandpa died. I was disappointed that I wouldn’t see him again. But I was in high spirits because he would be living in the afterlife now! We believe he can reach his full potential now that he is dead. We were putting a bunch of materials in his tomb to help him get started in the afterlife. We put jewelry, furniture, clothes, knives, spoons, plates, cosmetics, ornaments, statues and tools. Its important that the body was preserved. The hardest part was watching him become a mummy, first they washed and purified his body. Then they removed all of his organs and only left the heart. Then they filled his body with stuffing. Then they covered his body with natron to absorb all of the moisture on his body. They said after 40 days they would remove the stuffing and replaced with linen or stardust, then wrapped in linen and covered him in shroud and then put him in a sarcophagus I just hope he likes the new world.
We arrived home later that day. My house is right by were the Nile floods. Our house is built of sun baked brick made from mud and straw. The bricks lasted a long time in Egypt’s dry climate and boiling sun. Our house is very simple, square building. We have steps leading to our roof. Inside the house is very dark because we have tiny windows. Our cooking is done on the roof to avoid starting fires. Even though were rich from the outside our house looks the same as any ordinary house.
Dear Journal,
ReplyDeleteAs I looked around my room today I realized just how fortunate I am…
My home is divided into sections. My home is made of sun dried mud, called adobe.
I have a room on the roof with three walls where we sleep on hot summer nights. We sleep there to escape the heat. We enjoy the cool breeze blowing from the Mediterranean.
My home is several levels high, narrow and tall. The ground floor has servants, spinners, weavers, grain grinders and flour sifters. The second floor is the main living area for my family. We have four windows high up on the wall which provide ventilation and plenty of sunlight.
Food is prepared on the fourth floor in an open fire before being served downstairs. Our house even has a bathroom and toilet. The toilet is made of limestone.
We have a garden which includes a few fruit and exotic trees. We have a pond full of fish and caged animals and birds.
We do not have a lot of furniture. We have small boxes for jewelry and cosmetics. We keep our clothing in chests. We also have pottery jars, elaborate beds and oil lamps in our home.
Sincerely,
Fadil
(Fraser)
Dear Journal,
ReplyDeleteToday, I encouraged my daughter Madisa to play and have fun. She was sad yesterday because she lost a game that she played against her friend Isis. Mandisa loves many games. Her favorite game is a board game called Senet. You have to throw sticks and then move your piece forward. You can even get an extra turn if you throw a one, four, or six. Some squares are ‘safe’ squares and some are ‘danger’ squares. The first player to get all of their pieces off of the board wins the game.
Mandisa is very good at this game. She sometimes lets her friends win. I guess this is why we named her Mandisa. Her name means sweet. It fits her perfectly.
Sincerely,
Fadil
(Fraser)
A Day in the Life of a High Priest of Egypt
ReplyDeleteBy High Priest Iah
Translated by William Mahoney
DAY ONE
I can’t imagine a world of finer luxury than that of the high priest. Except maybe the life of the vizier. Or of course, the Pharaoh.
Every day I wake up in supreme luxury on a fine linen bed. I shave my head to purify myself, and I dress in a simple linen robe and papyrus reed sandals. After I eat a breakfast of fruits and wheat bread made by my servants, I make my way strait to the temple of Djehuti, god of the moon and writing. I was always meant to be the high priest of Djehuti. For one, my father was high priest to him, and priesthood is usually passed down by generation to generation. I also happen to live in the city of Khmun, which houses the great temple of Djehuti. For another thing, my name, Iah, means moon, which is one of the symbols of Djehuti.
But last I had to wake up by the light of the moon, for it was time for one of Djehuti’s greatest rituals. Once I’m in the great temple, in which only I am allowed in, I take the statue of Djehuti out of its special shrine, decorated in pure gold and other fine and rare materials. This temple is where Djehuti lives and the fine metals honor his great, intelligent name. When I do rituals to him, I do it right in front of him to show our people’s appreciation. Djehuti is the god of writing, the moon, and magic. He has done so much for our people, so I, and every other priest, must show our admiration.
I take the giant gold Ibis-headed statue out, and suddenly it’s jeweled eyes flash, I freeze, and I think I hear the sound of a baboon cackling. I took this to be a sign from Djehuti, as token of his appreciation. After all, I am the person that is closest to him. I clothe the statue, wash it, and give it a purified sacrifice of fruits on a table. I then bow to it to show further admiration, and I back out of the temple, because it is highly disrespectful to turn your back on a god.
Outside the temple I set up a ritual to praise everything Djehuti has done for us. It involves burning candles and incense, and praising him through song. There are other rituals that will be done later by both me and the other priests, but this one is very important.
This is the fully revised version, I think.
Day two
ReplyDeleteGood night journal,
Tonight is the Opet festival! I love this day because of the feasts, it is a great time to eat and be merry. But then again, I do not know what question I am going to ask the oracle: Am I going to be a good priestess? Is my fortune going to be better this year? Will I marry this year? I do not know what to ask. Although I am 12, Mother and father seem to want to wait longer to find a husband for me. I am glad of that.
This is the first year I will be accompanying my mother, father, and my brother Aapep who is 15 in the procession to the statue of Amun Ra the great creator. Aapep means moon snake, and my brother seems to like the moon and goes around our house as quiet as a snake. He has the right name, I don't.
Red, purple, gold I marvel at the colors of the clothing my mother gave me to wear during the ceremony. The headdress is beautifully crafted with a cat head and the robes my mother gave me. I am glad it is a full moon tonight, it will illuminate the festivities perfectly! My mother just told me to put on my robes.
-Bahiti, who will hopefully look good in her robes
Dear diary,
ReplyDeleteAs a gentle breeze blows scattered grains of sand across this lonely dessert I’m writing in an empty journal. This was my first day off in what seems like forever. I’m not the kind of 20-year-old who likes to kick back. I long for work wishing I had SOME kind of scroll or document to write, but I don’t have any luck.
I started off this sad day by checking to see the process of my tomb. It was very beautiful and that made me sure that at least I’d be happy in the afterlife. After that my normal cheery mood came back! I was happy for quite a while until I returned home. Then the dry, barren dessert called out to me and sucked up my happiness.
The one thing that entertained me was making my grave goods. So far I have made 3 little statues of scribes writing scrolls along with 2 white linen dresses and 6 golden necklaces. I am very happy to say me and my husband will have a very wonderful life after we leave Earth. We have the most amazing tombs and fabulous grave goods. When my child returned home from Scribe School we played a quick game of Senet and then prepared dinner. I am so pleased that my sad, boring day has made a turn for the better. The sun is beginning to set so I must get some sleep.
Farewell,
Amisi
THIS IS MY FINISHED ONE!!!!!
ReplyDeleteFinished day 2!!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Diary,
In the middle of dry, crackly, lonely barren desert there stands one beautiful sun-dried-brick house. This house belongs to a young scribe, me. As I look out the window into this barren desert I notice the milky pink color blending in with the stunning orange and frightening red to make one of the most beautiful sun sets I’ve ever seen. Sadly, I can’t stare at it any longer. I must clean the house.
As I dust the corners I see things in my house that I don’t think I’ve ever seemed to appreciate. Such as the most amazingly painted walls or my perfect tiled floors. I feel bad for the poor laborers who will never see as beautiful house as I own. Not to mention the fabulous clay pottery all around me. Surprisingly my house didn’t need much cleaning so now I will make dinner.
The wonderful aroma of roast lamb and freshly baked bread fills the air as I cook. I set the table nicely with a centerpiece of dried apricots and figs. My husband comes out, mouthwatering, begging me to let him eat. I put out all the wonderful foods that I have prepared tonight and put them on the table. Now I must go, and I promise to write soon!
From,
Amisi
Dear diary,
ReplyDeleteThe wind whistles, the moon shines and I’m still up. Yew, I’m awake and peering out the window I see the blackest night sky with a small sliver of the silver moon accompanied by the shadowy yellow stars. Nut (sky goddess) is very beautiful tonight, showing off the most stunning night sky.
Maybe you wonder why I’m awake. Well it’s because I have a scroll for the temple that I promised I would have due by tomorrow. The trip to the temples is very long since I live in a very remote area. I don’t mind staying up though, because if this scroll is good enough I get to work for the Pharaoh!!! Even though I love my job, I always feel so awkward because I’m the only girl. None of my child hood friends are scribes. I guess their parents weren’t rich like me.
Even after I finish this scroll, I can’t sleep. I have promised this woman I would make her a document for her tomb and she was offering a lot of money! I am almost positive I will get absolutely no sleep tonight and I don’t have the day off tomorrow. Yet, I’m happy anyway. It’s not often that I will get alone moments like this and I have to love them every time I get them. It’s not that I don’t like people but I have an independent side of me that comes out when I’m alone. Now, it’s obvious I’m not getting any work done just writing for my own purposes so I must go.
From, Amisi
CHARLIE:):)
ReplyDeletemrs z im sorry I blogged my first entry late!
Egyptian Journal
Day 1
Hello, my name is Chuma. I am a 12 year old boy living in Ancient Egypt. My name means wealthy. It’s true I come from one of the wealthiest families in the town. My family and I just finished playing the game senet. Did you know that king tut was buried with 4 senet boards?
Earlier today I had school. Since my father told me I was destined to be a scribe I go to school for scribes. Since I’m one of the wealthy families, I have the best training to become scribe, but the bad part is their really strict. My father never told me that the kids get hit very hard if their work isn’t done well. At school we learn math, reading writing, history, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music, geography, science and medicine. My favorite subject is math so I want to be a tax collector. The school starts really early in the morning and ends at noon. My mom cooks for the school so we can have food at the school. This is my first year using papyrus. As a younger immature student we use potsherds or broken pieces of pottery. I like the papyrus better I think that’s why they give it to the mature students.
After school ended at noon I stopped by at my father’s job. He is a nobleman. My father has never really explained his job to me, so today I asked him. He told me a day in the life of a nobleman. Every morning I wake up in fine linen sheets. I look around the room. I see a cabinet were I store my clothes and my wife’s cosmetic box and I see a lamp for light during the night. Then my servant walks into the room who helps me wash and shave. Then I get dressed in a kilt made of fine linen and put on sandals made of leather. Meanwhile your mother is getting washed and dressed and assisted by another servant. She puts on a dress made of fine linen and jewels made of glass. Then as she’s about to walk downstairs she puts kohl on her eyelids. Then our family sits on cushions at a small table and has fruits and bread for breakfast. Then I leave for an appointment with the overseer of our land. The overseer tells me what the harvest will look like for the year, he also told me how many cattle and geese were in the field yesterday. I am usually pleased and then we share a meal of bread and beer. In the early afternoon your mother goes to the garden to hide from the boiling sun. She is pleased with the shade as she watches your younger brother play with his toys. Then she goes inside and gets ready for the banquet. Her servant brushes and curls her favorite wig until its perfect. She takes out the most stunning clothes she has and puts it on. Then I come home and get prepared also and greet our gets as they arrive. We want our guest to be pleased so we provide them with lotus flowers and cones of perfumed wax. We fed them the finest foods possible. We ate meats, breads, cakes, wine, figs and dates. To even satisfy them more we have musicians playing the finest melodies. Then we say goodbye and have a good night sleep. After what my father told me I now know what a nobleman does on important days. It was time for me to return to my home.
Dear diary,
ReplyDeleteThe fly’s buzz against my ear, the orange ball in the sky beats down on me, and I am exhausted. My new straw sandals protect me from the burning hot sand under my feet along with the new white linen dress helps me from the sun. The only sound is the soft melody the wind sings to me. All alone, just me and this desert as I walk home.
I went to the market (finally!!!) today and got some new clothes. 1 new pair of straw sandals, 3 white linen dresses, 2 necklaces and 4 bracelets. They are all very pretty. I was planning on wearing some of them to upcoming festivals or holidays. It’s pretty late out because I didn’t have the day off so I had to go immediately after work and for once my husband’s preparing dinner! This is nice because it means I SHOULD have a nice dinner waiting for me when I get home. Speaking of which I’m almost there!
Well, I just arrived at home but there’s no diner waiting for me!!! After yelling at my husband for not getting me something to eat I prepare something for MYSELF!!! If he wants food he better cook him something, otherwise no dinner for him. Serves him right! I mean I cook dinner every night and just once I ask him to make it and he can’t even do a simple task like that. He’s useless and it wasn’t MY idea to marry him. Anyway I’m hungry so I must go!
From, Amisi
Journal entry #1 (REVISED)
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Asim (Asim means protector). Even though I don’t protect anyone, and I need protection myself, my parents still gave me that name. My father is a scribe, scribes are people who write and take notes. My dad presses different shapes in to clay tablet each symbol means some thing. I am very excited because my father just became a part of royal family. Now, we will have much more money, we will owe a big amount of land, and a big house. Also, I will have to go to a special scribe school. Most children get to become scribes by being a son of a scribe. This job is inherited (passed down in families. Most people don’t have enough money to let their children go to a scribe school, while scribes can afford the proper education.
Tomorrow is the festival of Opet. The priest is going to carry the golden statue of Amen Ra, me and all the people who are going to be at the festival are going to beg to Amen Ra fore the staff that they want. Also the festival of Opet is celebrated every yare when the Nile floods its river banks. Every one is going to go to the festival including me. No body works during that time because the farmer’s crops are getting flooded, and there is a lot of farmers. The cores girls are going to sing songs the acrobats are going to do tricks sow it will be very exiting. My dad will not work too and I will again be with his all day.
The next day I woke up I lazily put on my warp that was made of linen. My mom put on her best jewelry and her long shirt that ran to her knees, and then she sat down with her makeup kit for another hour and when my dad and I were ready to die and be mummified she finally was done. We walked to the festival of Opet for the millionth time I saw how gorges the Nile River was. I also saw the huge temple and all three pyramids wish where still not done, when I was born they were half done now they are all most finishing them. Finally I heard the music coming from where I expected it. I smell the meat roosting on the spit, I hear singing and birds squeaking, I am so hungry I think I am going to pass out.
Dear Journal,
ReplyDeleteHi. My name is Aepep. It means moon snake. I don’t know why my parents named me that but when I reach the afterlife I might be able to ask. I have a wife and a son and I am very happy. I am a nobleman.
I woke up and dressed in my warm linen robes and then hit my small gong to get my secretary. She brought out my schedule on a piece of papyrus.
When she was gone, a bunch of my servants helped me wash and shave. I dressed in a fine linen kilt then put on my leather sandals.
My wife, Sagirah, is also getting ready with the help of her own servant. She wore a dress with glass jewelry. She also put on her makeup- black kohl powder on her eyelids. We then went downstairs to eat a small breakfast.
Egypt is very hot so we can not eat very large breakfasts so we had a simple meal of bread and fruit.
I finished up my meal then went to go to work. I left Thebes by chariot and went to my estate on the coast of the Nile. I had a meeting with my estate overseer and he gave me an update on my geese and cattle and the expectations of the harvest.
We went on a tour, watching the slaves carrying loads of pomegranates and grapes. They took the grapes to the wine press where the slaves jumped up and down resembling monkeys, stomping on the grapes. The grapes will become wine soon.
After the work we had lunch. After lunch I had a Siesta (a nap) to avoid the blazing afternoon’s heat.
After my Siesta I went back home. When I got home I find (as usual) Sagirah brushing her favorite wig while sitting on the bed. She put her wig on and with the help of her servant she puts on her best clothing because we were having a few guests that night. Her servant helped her with her jewelry made from gold and precious stones. I quickly change then head downstairs.
Our guests started arriving. Servants handed out small wax cones and they slowly began to melt, releasing perfume.
We soon had dinner. For dinner we hada feast of geese, duck, roasted ox, fresh fish, goat and gazelle. For desert we had grapes, melon, figs, dates, pistachio nuts and pomegranates all served on golden plates. We provided a large quantity of wine and we had musicians and dancers.
After a long day the night comes close to an end. The guests leave and go home. The house is a mess but thats what servants are for. Tired Sagirah and I stager up to our room and plomp onto the bed and as soon as my head hits the pillow I fall asleep.
-Aepep
Moon Snake
BY: DANNY FRANKEL
FINAL (or at least a sort of final) VERSION
ReplyDeleteA Day in the Life of a High Priest of Egypt
By High Priest Iah
Translated by William Mahoney
DAY ONE
I can’t imagine a world of finer luxury than that of the high priest. Except maybe the life of the vizier. Or of course, the Pharaoh.
Every day I wake up in supreme luxury on a fine linen bed. I shave my head to purify myself, and I dress in a simple linen robe and papyrus reed sandals. After I eat a breakfast of fruits and wheat bread made by my servants, I make my way strait to the temple of Djehuti, god of the moon and writing. I was always meant to be the high priest of Djehuti. For one, my father was high priest to him, and priesthood is usually passed down by generation to generation. I also happen to live in the city of Khmun, which houses the great temple of Djehuti. For another thing, my name, Iah, means moon, which is one of the symbols of Djehuti.
But last night I had to wake up by the light of the moon, for it was time for one of Djehuti’s greatest rituals. Once I’m in the great temple, in which only I am allowed, I take the statue of Djehuti out of its special shrine, and both the statue and shrine are decorated in pure gold and other fine and rare materials. This temple is where Djehuti lives and the fine metals honor Djehuti’s great, intelligent name. When I do rituals to Djehuti, I do it right in front of him to show our people’s appreciation. Djehuti is the god of writing, the moon, and magic. He has done so much for our people, so I, and every other priest, must show our admiration.
I take the giant gold Ibis-headed statue out of the shrine, and suddenly it’s jeweled eyes flash. I freeze, and I think I hear the sound of a baboon cackling. I took this to be a sign from Djehuti, as token of his appreciation. After all, I am the person that is closest to him. I clothe the statue, wash it, and give it a purified sacrifice of fruits on a table. I then bow to it to show further admiration, and I back out of the temple, because it is highly disrespectful to turn your back on a god.
Outside the temple I set up a ritual to praise everything Djehuti has done for us, such as creating writing and magic. It involves burning candles and incense, and praising him through hymn. There are other rituals that will be done later by both me and the other priests, but this one is very important.
Day three
ReplyDeleteGood evening journal,
Today I went to see my good friend Kepi who's name means tempest. She is a little older than me but is not married either. She works as the bakers assistant and is stronger than me. I finally asked what had been on my mind for a while, “is it nice being a baker?” I asked. “It is nice because you can make others good food Bahiti, it is nice to make others happy.” I ponder this for a while as we walk along the Nile. “Do you really want to be a priestess?” she asked me. “Yes, I like being one so that we can give the gods the proper praise and so that I can help people with their problems.” I answered because I am supposed to give advice to people when they come to me. I am still working on it, but I'm getting better.
We went to the bakers to part ways “I will see you later Bahiti.” I smiled and waved. It is good to have a friend who does not do the same work type as you. It works well because you get to learn something different then what you learn about every day. We both know knowledge is a treasure and we share our knowledge with each other.
I have realized lately that I do not like having servants to do everything for me. If I can do it myself I would like to. But it is hard to get the clothing of the priestess on so I like help with that. But I can put on simple clothes, so I like doing that. I am very different from my family, and I do not mind at all.
-Bahiti, who likes to have friends
This is for Charlie, Fraser, Laura, Will, Audrey, Danny D and F, George, Trey, Sonja, Liat:
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed by the amazing cultural detail in your writing. All of you continue to improve your work as you complete each journal. The descriptive details in your writing are woven so well into the stories and bring your character(s), story, setting to life and are easy to envision. I'm so proud of you. Mrs. Zabbia
This is for Adrian, Joshua, Nick and Alana...
ReplyDeleteAdrian, nice start. Adrian and Joshua --I look forward to reading the other journals that you have saved at home. Alana, you have one outstanding journal and one very short one. Have you written any others? Nick, you have one journal- have you written any others? Keep up the good work. Mrs. Zabbia
ALL STUDENTS: BRING YOUR SAVED WORK ON A FLASHDRIVE TO SCHOOL MONDAY. ALSO, PRINT A TEXT COPY AND BRING THAT TOO. YOU WILL HELP ONE ANOTHER EDIT AND REVISE. I'M SO PROUD OF YOUR WRITING!!!!!!!!!!MRS. ZABBIA
ReplyDeleteDear diary,
ReplyDeleteThe deadly silence almost makes it feel cold. It’s so black outside that even the stars are struggling to be seen. The wind whispers outside my window and that’s all the sound there is right now. I glance out my window, into the forbidden dark sky above me and a chill runs down my spine. Up there…that’s where my mother and father are.
I never seem to get a chance to write during the day! I’m always so busy at this time of year! Today I went to the temple of the goddess Hathor. Goddess of motherhood, protection and cows. The school in Temple was still going on. As I took a seat, I couldn’t help notice the beautiful paintings around me. Pictures of her, the great goddess. I admired all of the wonderful things until it dawned on me that I wasn’t doing what I came here for, to pray.
I prayed about everything including my mother, my father and my family. I probably stayed in there for around 2 hours! When I was done, I left an offering to Hathor. It was amazing to be in a temple, finally! I hadn’t been in a temple for a while because I prayed at my own shrine at home. Again, it was a long walk home, but I didn’t mind. I was happy knowing that I prayed. When I returned home, I prepared dinner and we all ate as a family. I had a wonderful day.
From,
Amisi
Dear diary,
ReplyDeleteThe smell of roasting lamb and sweet fruit fill the air. Screams, wails, cries and pleas come from people begging the statue to say yes. As you sit down to eat, you can’t help but notice the fat, juicy pomegranates and dried figs and apricots. There is nothing like today, nothing like the feast of Opet.
My family and I sit at a table, waiting to dig into the delicious foods. After we pray we help ourselves. The food is amazing. That wasn’t all we had to do though. We had yet to see the statue, who tells our future, and to lay back and sing songs and enjoy the day. When we stuffed ourselves until we were going to burst, we went to the statue. I was first to go up. I asked “Will I live a long life and go to the afterlife?” I looked up, my heart BEGGING for it to be a yes. And it was!!! I was so relieved. Then my husband went up. “Will I die around the age of my wife?” It was a no!!! My husband begged and pleads, but we couldn’t change the statues mind.
To get our minds of the statue we went to enjoy the rest of the day by relaxing. We sat under a shady tree and sang songs. Some people nearby started singing along with us. Then more people started to join in, and we had a good time. My husband wasn’t upset anymore and that’s how are day ended off. This was a fantastic day!
From,
Amisi
Dear diary,
ReplyDeleteThe sun stays up later, the animals hide from the sun and water gets scarcer. The boiling yellow dot in the sky dares you to come out. Almost as if saying “I’m the strongest, I will burn you” and you know that he’s right. Even the sand in the lonely dessert roasts. If you’re daring, you could step on the scorching hot sand barefoot. I am not that daring.
If you couldn’t tell from what I was trying to say before was that spring is ending. It’s getting so hot outside that I don’t dare to go out without covering up every inch of myself from the sun. Summer is my least favorite time of year. I rarely go out to the market (unfortunately I have to go tomorrow) because I can’t stand the summer heat. I try to stay in the shade as much as possible. Last year, my husband was foolish enough to not cover himself up and he got a bad case of sunburn. It took a long time for that sunburn to go away.
Right now I am inside writing a scroll for a friend. I’ve mentioned earlier I was going to the market. While I am there I am going to stop by a few old friends’ houses. We do this yearly. Near the end of spring one person will walk to their friends’ houses. We take turns and this year is my turn. I look forward to seeing them, but not to the walk.
From,
Amisi
Dear diary,
ReplyDeleteThe glare of the sun is blinding in a mid-afternoon Summer day. As you walk across the lonely desert the few specks of shade seem like a miracle. A boiling ball in the sky taunts you. An occasional whisper of the winds blows the hot grains of sand against your soft cheek. Suddenly you realize you’re all alone.
That’s how I felt. Today was really nice. As soon as I woke up, I had to get ready and leave to go to the market. At the market I got some meat and fruit, but that was the boring part of the day. As I said in my last entry, I went to visit some friends.
First I went to meet my friend Aloli. She is a nice friend but I have only known her for about a year. But she’s special because she’s my only friend that’s a merchant, so I get some good deals on things I need to buy. We talked and ate cakes until it was time for me to go. I know this sounds mean but I was happy to leave because my next friend, Ebe, is my closest friend. She’s a priestess for the goddess Nut. We laughed and talked and had a wonderful time, but I had other friends to visit so I left. After visiting Emu (architect), Femi (sadly, a laborer) and Layla (another architect) I had to go. My day was great and I was happy walking home.
From,
Amisi
Day four
ReplyDeleteGood evening journal,
Today we went to the temple of Bastet, I have been here before but it never ceases to amaze me. Two canals swish around it but stop short of meeting in front of the doors. It is in the centre of the city with it's grove with the shrine within and the palm trees shading the water it is the most beautiful temple I have ever seen even though it wasn't the most expensive or the biggest temple, I like it the best. It gives you a feeling that you belong there. You can also walk to it from the market which gives it a connection to society. We preformed rituals today and I think I am doing well. I have memorized the words but I mix up when I am sopposed to light the red and white candles but I remembered at the last moment so it was okay this time.
We got a new small table to display mother's new vases. I do not know why we need another one, bur who am I to argue with a high priestess like my mother? Our house is too nice. I know most would love luxury like our soft white linen sheets or our lapus lazuli figures that stand in our rooms. I have also found that my neck hurts when I use my headrest made of ivory, it is very uncomfortable. I do like dried dates though, and my robes but I do not want to look down on people like I am their master. If I did that then Kepi would not be my friend. Nor would my friends who are the servants. They like helping me because I help them. Mother is calling me to get ready for dinner.
-Bahiti, who's papyrus has run out of writing room
Audrey...amazing work creating setting details and using descritpion to create great visuals. Laura...I'm so proud of your stellar details and description as you continue to build your story and character. Great work! Mrs. Zabbia
ReplyDeleteDay 8
ReplyDeleteToday we are having the festival of Opet and I am really excited about it. The word 'Opet' means Secret Chamber so this festival is the “Festival of the Secret Chamber". The purpose of this festival is the birthday of the King’s Ka, when the King got his Divine Right to rule re-confirmed. Mut and Khonsu are going to travel from The Karnak River along the 3 kilometer long Processional Route which is going to be lined with sphinxes with ram heads at this party. We are also going to have dignitaries, dancers, singers, musicians and common people at the party. Priests are going to carry incense, sistra are going to be shaken, and I am sure there is going to be a lot of people singing and clapping hands. There were also going to be Oracles performing for the people. I am also seeing a lot of people weeping because there was a priest answering yes-or-no questions. He would take a barge and lean it forward for “yes” and backward for “no”. They are probably weeping because they all got “no”. I am glad I got my rare day off for this and my father had a VERY rare day off to come.
I cant wait.
Charlie:)
ReplyDeleteToday I was walking home from school, as I was walking home I began to look at the people, specifically on how they dressed and what they wore. I saw a variety of people dressed differently. I saw both men and women wearing green and black makeup. The women wore close fitting sheath dresses or pleated linen dresses most of the dresses were white. The well to do men and women wore these wigs which I thought were stunning. I asked the people what the wigs were made of they replied saying, either sheep wool or human hair! The beeswax held their wigs in place. Since my family is wealthy I already noticed but the wealthy families wore earrings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets and rings. In my opinion I like the way our people dress.
As I arrived home my parents were getting ready for the big feast of opet tomorrow. I will not be attending this feast due to my temperature lately. I wish I could make the feast. I remember the juicy fruits being eaten and the acrobats performing phenomenally. Then the only bad part was watching family’s cry as the golden statue of Amun was tilted backwards saying no to there question and people in line’s fate on the line. My parents don’t get upset about there question. We are already rich of course.
Dear Journal,
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be my last journal entry for a while. I just wanted to say that my life is good. I enjoy my servants, my wife, my daughter, and the views of the Mediterranean Sea. I enjoy eating my favorite foods, pomegranates and pistachios. Amunet and I are so proud of Mandisa. She is a very sweet and kind child. We are very grateful for everything we have.
I am so lucky to have servants that help me serve food and drinks at parties. They do a lot for me.
So long for now!
Fadil
(Fraser)
Dear Journal,
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Jaban. It stands for brave. I'm an artisan, a sculptor. I have to work close to the quarry. A quarry is a place where there is stone and rocks. People help, they are called stonemasons. Stonemasons carry and move stones back to the temple. I trace the stone and outline with red or black so I can design the stone. I use mallets and chisels to chip around the stone until I get the shape to appear.
Jaban
(Joey)
Dear Journal,
ReplyDeleteToday, I am completing my sculpture that was brought from the Nile River. While dragging the statue it was getting stuck in the sand so many people had to help drag it. People put water on the ground to make the statue slide. I put the statue on a boat and carried it all the way to the temple. After I got there I polished it with sand, water and stone. Afterwards, I covered the statue with leather; many people came over with materials so they could paint it.
Jaban
(Joey)
Dear Journal,
ReplyDeleteI use ivory, wood, stone and metal to sculpt. I carve small wooden models of people doing everyday tasks. I make statuettes for the gods and goddesses. These statues are made for their tombs. The models are made out of beeswax and are coated with clay. I make small holes for the base. I heat the clay so I can melt the wax and then pour the wax out through the holes. I pour molten bronze into the holes.
Jaban
(Joey)
Dear Journal,
ReplyDeleteToday, I am working on a picture for the Pharaoh’s pyramid. I sculpt for the nobleman and royalty. The picture is going to be a profile of the Pharaoh. Craftsmen use many materials when creative a piece of art. We use clay, stone, wood, bone and feathers.
While working I want to be comfortable so I wear linen or other thin clothing. This also helps keep me cool in the warm climate
Jaban
(Joey)
Day 4
ReplyDeleteToday my master ordered some people to come and pick me up at my house. They were knocking on my door really loud. I was very scared because I thought it was something bad that was happening. It was very scary I open the door very slow, the door made a loud squeaky noise sound. I peeked out the door; there were two men standing outside of my house. They were tall and dressed up very handsome. They grabbed me by my hands very hard and they tied my hands with rope. The rope was brown and hard it cut through my skin. They took me inside my master house. I was staring to cry because I was scare of what my master was going to do with me. There was a lot of people I thought that maybe it was because I worked so hard and I was about to become an important slave. but I was all wrong my master said that I did something very wrong in farming the crops. He did not say any more. Now, I was more scared than ever of my master. First I started to think about what I did wrong. I couldn’t think… what I did wrong. He told everyone to go outside. They grabbed my hands again and brought me outside. There was a pole stuck in the ground the man’s tied me to it. My master looked at me, his face was scary face. He gave the rope to someone else. They turned me around, my back was facing him, I was now very scared. I was hit very hard on my back 7 times.
Two years later…
It has been two years now. My master came up to me and said that if I had a lot of money, I could buy myself out of slavery and be a free man. I have been saving since I was a youngin. I went to my father’s house and when I got there my dad was not there, people told me that my dad was very sick and died. I started to cry I didn’t care if he was mean to me, I would still miss him.
I am a free man now….I will find a way to get on with my life.
DAY 7
ReplyDeleteI have been a scribe for about a week and I have already figured out why this job is so challenging, the scribes in this civilization practically run Egypt. We have to work in these offices made of mud bricks but the good part is that they are put along the Nile River. That is my favorite place because it is always so interesting to watch the water speeding into the Mediterranean Sea and glistening in the sunlight. Unfortunately, we do not have much time to do that. It is most of our day that we have to do tax collecting, settling legal arguments, working as priests designing and organizing the construction of public buildings, and even persuading young men to join the army in times of war.
Thebes is my home town. I said a few days ago that my family is very wealthy so I can go to the scribe schools there. I am learning history, poetry, surveying, architecture, and accountancy. I am one of many of them that go to the pharaoh’s service as government officials.
The other good benefit is that we scribes also write texts to encourage other boys to work hard at their training. There are so many people in Egypt that take education as an honor and we want to keep that happening. This is one of the many reasons why I love my job.
Slaves were captured during war. Slaves were bought for there skills. Most slaves came from Asia or Nubia. Slaves were only involved with pyramids if they have the talent. Most pyramids were built by farmers and unskilled laborers. The slaves were the bottom of society and some were treated badly and some were treated well as if they were counted as a family member to them. If the slaves gathered a lot of money they could buy there self out of slavery.
ReplyDeleteJournal entry 2
ReplyDeleteToday I am going to have family time at the end of the year festival. We start to gather our needs and load them into our cart. We set off in a few minutes for the feast of Opet! Only a few miles away we heard all of the music the sound of lutes, harps, zummara, kinnor, lyre, sistrum, and the castanet. Then we arrived we saw the tables all around with bowls filled with pomegranates, cooked lamb, bread, and dried fish. Then I noticed the black tents with golden images put in to them at least six tents with each god, and acrobats flipping in the distance. Later in the night we all saw the priests carrying a pure gold statue of one of our gods, onto the reed boat with incents on the Nile River. Then they let the boat go down the Nile River. We all lined up with it and prayed for gold good fortune and lots of food. The feast ended and we all went home to our work and education.
by kamen
ReplyDeleteas I entered the festival I heard the wails and screams of the fools, the people who put their trust into the fortune tellers. Maybe they aren't foolish but this year the fortune tellers have been telling people “no" a lot at lately then "yes". It’s strange even though all that was going though my head, all i could focus on was the juicy smell of lamb on the spit and firm ripe fruits. acrobats, commoners, and laborers all joined together to check out the mighty fortune teller statue. Such fools. When the pale creamy yellow sun came up people
(Even me ) started weeping for joy they were thinking about their loved ones and family members. It was almost if they were smiling down at us. All our relatives that went to the after life.
Slaves were captured during war. Slaves were bought for there skills. Most saves came from Asia or Nubia. Also some of the people were from Meroe, Kush and Libya were slaves. Slaves were only involved with pyramids if they have the talent. Most pyramids were built by farmers and unskilled laborers. Some slaves worked in farms producing crops. Household slaves were only found in royal houses of the pharaoh and nobles. The slaves worked in royal mines owned by the state. In the temples slaves helped priests take care of the god and their needs. In the farm enormous slaves run plantations owned by the aristocratic elite. The household slaves was prevalent in households of rich middle class and nobility. Some of these were highly regarded and educated. The slaves were the bottom of society and some were treated badly and some were treated well as if they were counted as a family member to them. If the slaves gathered a lot of money they could buy there self out of slavery.
ReplyDeleteHi! My name is Bennu which means eagle. All the clothes were almost always made of linen which is made from flax. Flax is a plant small leaves, blue flowers and steams about two feet tall. Flax is pulled out of the ground not cut. This backbreaking work was done mostly by men. Slaves knew that since there were no new styles they took pride in keeping themselves and their clothes spotlessly clean. Loincloth is a piece of material fastened around the waist and worn by men. Wealthy people wore gold. Rich people got to wash their clothes and we slaves don’t get to wash our clothes. Rich or poor you wore jewelry. People wore rings, necklaces and ear studs. Jewelry was made out of turquoise and lapis lazuli stones. Lapis lazuli is a deep stone used for ornaments. You sometimes wore sandals or you worked bare foot. All the girl slaves have to wear long white gowns or short robes around their waist and shirts on top. When we were little girls we wore NOOO CLOTHES because Egypt is a dessert so it is really hot!!!!!!!!!! The boy slaves had to wear tunics, which were robes and when they were little boys they wore NOOO CLOTHES TOO because it was really hot!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJournal entry #1 (REVISED)
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Asim (Asim means protector). Even though I don’t protect anyone, and I need protection myself, my parents still gave me that name. My father is a scribe, scribes are people who write and take notes. My dad presses different shapes in to clay tablet each symbol means something. I am very excited because my father just became a part of royal family. Now, we will have much more money, we will owe a big amount of land, and a big house. Also, I will have to go to a special scribe school. Most children get to become scribes by being a son of a scribe. This job is inherited (passed down in families. Most people don’t have enough money to let their children go to a scribe school, while scribes can afford the proper education.
Tomorrow is the festival of Opet. The priest is going to carry the golden statue of Amen Ra, people who are going to be at the festival are going to beg to Amen Ra for the stuff that they need. The oracle is going to be there a big line of families is going to stand and ask the oracle a question they will cry and beg for their oracle to say yes. Also the festival of Opet is celebrated every yare when the Nile floods its river banks. Everyone is going to go to the festival including me. No body works during that time because the farmer’s crops are getting flooded, and there is a lot of farmers. The cores girls are going to sing songs the acrobats are going to do tricks sow it will be very exciting. My dad will not work too and I will again be with his all day.
The next day I woke up I lazily put on my warp that was made of linen. My mom put on her best jewelry and her long shirt that ran to her knees, and then she sat down with her makeup kit for another hour and when my dad and I were ready to die and be mummified she finally was done. We walked to the festival of Opet for the millionth time I saw how gorges the Nile River was. I also saw the huge temple and all three pyramids wish where still not done, when I was born they were half done now they are all most finishing them. Finally I heard the music coming from where I expected it. I smell the meat roosting on the spit, I hear singing and birds squeaking, I am so hungry I think I am going to pass out. Then the best time of the festival started it was time to EAT!!!!!
We were all tired out the air felt a little bit cooler and the sand and the earth cooled down too it was getting dark the birds stopped singing there brilliant songs it was already dark. We were also sad because the oracle said no to our question but that was fine. We were on our way to home when only 10 hours ago I saw the Nile River now I felt only a cool breeze coming from it.
Egyptian homes were made from bricks of sun dried mud, called adobe, because wood was scarce. A nobleman's home was divided into three areas: a reception area, a hall, and the private quarters. The windows and doors on the house were covered with mats to keep out the flies, dust, and heat.The inside walls were decorated with wall hangings made of leather, and the floors were covered with tile. Sometimes there was a room on the roof with three walls where the family slept on hot summer nights.
ReplyDeleteThe commoners lived in town houses usually two to three stories high. The first story of the town home was usually reserved for businesses, while the second and third floors provided the family living space. Many people slept on the roof during the summer to keep cool. Sewage had to be disposed of by each household in pits, in the river, or in the streets. Most all people had some furniture consisting mostly of a stool, small boxes for jewelry and cosmetics, chests for clothing, pottery jars, and oil lamps. Each home was equipped with at least one fly catcher. Peasant girls usually married around the age 12, the boys were a few years older than the girls. Girls of more affluent families married a few years older. The marriages were arranged by parents of the children although some young people chose their own spouse. While the ordinary man normally had one wife, the kings always had several. Before the marriage ceremony, an agreement was signed by the couple. The pre-nuptial agreement stated that the wife was to receive an allowance from her husband. The contract also stated that any material good the wife brought into the marriage was hers to keep if the marriage ended for any reason. Both could own land separate from each other but the wife usually let her husband administer her land along with his. Divorce was an option, although it was not common. If a husband treated his wife badly, she would go to her family for help. The wife's family would try to persuade her spouse to change his behavior. If his behavior did not improve the divorce took place. The divorce was a simple procedure consisting of making a simple statement to annul the marriage in front of witnesses. The wife was given custody of the children and was free to remarry. Female slaves were taken as concubines or wives of masters, and gave birth to boys who were raised to the status of adopted sons. Many famous pharaohs are the children of these couples, such as Thutmose 3 and Siptah. The masters sold the slaves children to people.
Journal entry 3
ReplyDeleteToday go to the temple of Amen-Ra. I went as soon as I was done with my mid-day meal. As I went I saw a group of guards at the temple and asked why they were there. They replied the pharaoh was there and they let me in because I was his blacksmith. As soon as I entered the pharaoh saw me and greeted me we both prayed to him. Then we both went to the inner part of the temple to look at the golden statue of Amen-Ra and his statue offerings and then to ask for good health and fortune. We paused for our prayers to float up to him and become true. We left and went back to our homes and go to rest when Ra dies and darkness covers the land.
by Kamen
ReplyDeleteSince no new king was “elected ", I was off work. I went to the shrine since I hadn't been praying to the gods lately and when everyone was done praying, I saw a little boy about 8 years old. The little boy was in a rush and accidentally turns his back on the statue, and then when the sun was the brightest the little boy got slapped on the face. I laughed like I never laughed before, why was I laughing? I asked my self, am I really that bored? No it was because i used to do that all the time. “reminds you of old times right, Kames "said a man but I couldn't make out who it was " who told you that name " I felt like screaming those words but instead it came out very politely, " so much time has passed Kames, you probably don't recognize me " the man walked out of the splash of sunlight and I could see his gray hair and gray eyes. " now do you recognize me Kames " the man said
“Nope " I replied twice as fast, the man sighed and said with a smile
“Hi I'm Mai ".
Kames meaning
“child of the bull" and Mai meaning
“Priest of Osiris ". Mai and I used to get into trouble when we went to school together, that's how I and Mai didn't have to wear wigs and we always, always turned our backs on the statues and got slapped in the face for it. Now that I think about me and Mai were almost the same. But Mai finished school with flying colors and I did not.
“I still don’t know how you did it” I said calming my self down from temporary shock
“Did what “said Mai his eyes narrowed
“You know, finished school “I said proudly like it was my achievement
“Maybe it was dedication, something you didn’t have” he said happily. Mai was always picked on because of his hair color gray and he was unusually skinny, it was a little unusually but that’s what made Mai , Mai.
BY LIAT
Can I name My projekt as a DIARY OF ASIM
ReplyDeletethis is for George, Liat, Nick, Jessica...
ReplyDeleteGeorge, that name is fine. Nick, nice work catching up. Liat, your writing has great voice. Jessica, I'm so proud of your work.
Mrs. Zabbia
Now that a new pharaoh is elected I’m off to work once more what a pain the new pharaoh is, just like the old one: an arrogant, picky and a serious old man. Red, blue, purple, green and yellow, there's always something the old man's obsessed with ether it's clothing or food. As I stood near the pharaoh’s throne I noticed to guards talking to each other one said to the other: there’s a rumor going around that Kamen, the vizier killed the last pharaoh. Now I was enraged really enraged, first because guards don’t walk around talking because there suppose to guards! and second there is 3 rules for being a vizier. Number 1: listen to the king no matter how much you don’t want to. Number 2: do not (no matter how annoying the pharaoh is ) kill him and you have to swear you allegiances to the pharaoh.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Akil I am a nine years old boy. I am writing this journal to save the memories that I have in my tomb when I travel to the afterlife. In school I am learning how to write complex so that’s another reason that I am writing this journal.
ReplyDeleteI love going to school and sometimes it is hard, but I still like it very much. I am very lucky that I can go to school because most of the kids don’t have the money to go, they either work in the fields or they help their parents with their job. I have a good chance to become a scribe, as my father. You usually get the job that your dad has. For the other kids they will either be a scribe or a baker or if they’re lucky, a doctor, I don’t go to prince school or regular school, I go to a school in the middle. It doesn’t matter witch school you go to, all of them are hard work. there is no school in Egypt that is easy. I am been going to school for five years and I am nine years old, however you can get married at the age ten or eleven, but you don’t stop school until you become fourteen or fifteen. So you would get married and still go to school, that’s really hard to do.
The festival of Opet, the celebration of the flooding of the Nile, also celebration of the new year ,3000 B.C, is a joy for all. The farmers could not work because the Nile flooded. Sometimes the Nile flooded at the beginning of the year or a little bit later. We would also go to festivals to eat, pray to the gods in the temple. They have tents that are usually black or white, with fortune tellers that answer yes or no questions. I like to see the acrobats because they do flips, jumps, and cartwheels. The acrobats are very young girls.
ReplyDeleteWe also make statues so we can travel to the afterlife, we will put the statues or the possessions that you made in your tomb, they are called grave goods. Egyptians spend their lives preparing for the afterlife. We make a lot of grave goods. The statues represented the things that your job and your hobbies.
In Egypt we use very fancy clothing in special events that are sometimes expensive. We could afford it because my father has a good job. In special occasions you wear silk such as when the pharaoh dies or when there is a new pharaoh crowned. You wear eye shadow and gold jewelry in special occasions. My father wears a tunic all the time, its linen wrapped around his waist. My mother wears brown linen wrapped around all over her body. That is comfortable and loose for the heat, because in Egypt it is very hot and the people needed to wear something comfortable, that’s loose. Our shoes are sandals, made out of leather. Slaves have to wear sandals made out of papyrus, sandals made out of papyrus are very annoying and they give you a rash. For poor people who could not afford silk or leather they have linen and sandals made out of papyrus instead of leather. The priests wear animal and feathers, the pharaohs would wear animal skin too because it meant that they serve the gods. The pharaoh wears golden jewelry and silk, but most of the time he would wear linen.
ReplyDeleteWomen in Egypt make most of the food that we eat. They grow mostly wheat and barley. Wheat is used for bread, and barley is used for beer. We grew and eat dates; also we use dates to put in our ancestors grave to wish them good luck in the afterlife. Egyptians also eat meat and it is really good like mutton; it’s the part from the leg of the lamb, at festivals they would give mutton to one family. We raise pig and lamb. We use honey to sweeten many foods like our vegetables. Peas, beans, Onions, garlic, lettuce, cabbages and turnips are the vegetables that we grow. We also ate grapes and dates together, because it goes good. Grapes are also made into wine, but wine is very expensive. The Nile provided fish that were big and we use fish to go along with other foods. We eat as a family at a stone table and we all say a prayer to the gods for thanking them for the food that they gave us. The Egyptians have utensils made out of wood and copper. Ours are made out of copper.
ReplyDeleteMy father is a scribe, but not just any scribe; he teaches the future pharos at prince school, which is a place only for family’s that have money to put their children in. My father is an important scribe. In a regular scribe school would only teach writing. In prince school they teach Reading, Writing, History, Math, Arithmetic, geometry, Astronomy, Music, Geography, Science, and Medicine. Prince school is a lot harder and more complex than regular scribe school. Being a scribe is not easy, you have to train for twelve years; you would start training at the age four. Scribes get a plant near the Nile called papyrus. To make paper out of papyrus you will need to cut it in lines then fold it going up then down to make it stiff. Also when you make a mistake you just need to tab a little bit of water and it’s gone.
ReplyDeleteMy mother makes food for everyone, but she has help from our slaves. She also makes clothes for everyone including the slaves; it is the only way how to pay them. My mother is nice to the slaves and the slaves are nice to her. My mother also cooks meat, she goes to the butcher to get the meat. In Egypt, women can’t go to school, so my mom doesn’t have an education. I wish my mom can go to school, because she is smart and I think it’s unfair women can’t go to school.
ReplyDeleteOur religion is based on polytheism, meaning that we believe in more than one god, we have thousands of gods and all of our gods have a body of a human, but a head of an animal. I love all gods equally. Today I went to the temple to pray to the gods. We made peace offerings that were made out of food. Last time we made statues as peace offerings and later we burned them, so the ashes can go up to the gods. I made a statue of amun and underneath I engraved the symbol “creation”, because amun is the god of creation. The priests can communicate with our gods. There are three types of priests; priest in training, assistant priest, and head priest. The head priest has to make sure the temples are clean and neat. Priests are chosen by the pharaoh because it is the pharaoh’s duty to serve the gods.
ReplyDeleteMy father taught me how to hunt today; I found it enjoyable to do. We would use sharp little sticks to kill birds by throwing the stick straight at the bird to kill it. My father said that it was a very hard task. I tried it for the whole afternoon and I killed none. Even though it is extremely hard to kill a bird, I still find it enjoyable. My mother and father love to fish, it is their passion. They both taught me two ways of fishing, one using a net where you had to attach a stick to the net and constantly put it in the water and pull it back up when you felt the fish wiggle in the net. The other way is to sharpen a long stick and throw it directly at the fish. Also to go fishing the weather has to be sunny and not windy or else we can’t see the fish in the water. I have yet to earn the skills of fishing, but I already caught two. I took the fish out of the net and it felt scaly, slimy, and wet and suddenly it jumped out of my hand! Father said we were suppose to cook that for our meal.
ReplyDeleteAnother long day at the Pharaohs’ palace. My name is Messiah and I am a soldier. I am 26 years old, married with four children. My wife’s name is Nafrini. As I said, I work as a palace guard for Pharaoh Akhenaton.
ReplyDeleteEvery morning I report to the Captain and get my daily assignment. Today I was assigned to the main palace gates. It is a tough job, not because you have to work hard but that you have stand completely still outside the palace gate, in the hot summer sum, my metal helmet making me sweat like crazy. I have to wear a formal military outfit, metal chest guard, metal helmet, spear and shield. My linen shirt is completely soaked. These hot July days in Egypt make my job very difficult. Fortunately I get a few breaks during the day when I can snack on fresh fruit and bread, sometimes we even get meat to eat. But today is was mostly just fruit. The only interesting part of my job today was seeing all the people walking by, priests, noblemen and scribes are constantly walking into and out of the palace, all here to serve Akhenaton.
I tell you more about our Pharaoh in my next journal entry but now I want to get some sleep. Standing outside in the sun for 12 hours making sure the Pharaoh is safe is a tiring job.
Today was an exciting and usual day. When I reported to work I found out my unit was assigned to guard the Pharaoh Akahenaten on his trip to Cairo. When the Pharaoh came down he was glittering in gold and jewels from head to toe and carrying his crook and flail. He used his flail, which is a kind of whip, on the slaves who were carrying him. Several slaves carried the royal chair while other slaves shaded the Pharaoh with papyrus. My job guarding the Pharaoh has been more dangerous lately because Akahenaten has decided to appoint military people to preach and teach religion instead of priests and nomblemen. This has made the Egyptian people very angry.
ReplyDeleteAs I walked beside the Pharaoh’s royal chair I gripped my scythe and spear tightly and the crowd shouted their disapproval at Akahenaten. We took several breaks during the trip, we snacked on the usual Syrian bread, fruit and a small piece of meat. The Pharaoh though has a very large meal that consisted of wine, fresh meat with various fruits and vegetables. As the sun began to set the Pharaoh signaled that Amun wants us to pause our walk. We were order to stop and set up camp. We set up tents for our unit and the slaves set up a large tent for the Pharaoh. This was going to be a long trip.
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