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Egyptian Party

Table of contents

Introduction

Think about the Egyptians and you immediately call a number of things to mind: mummies, tombs, sarcophagi, the sphinx, pharaohs and of course Cleopatra. In addition, many know that the Egyptians were one of the most advanced ancient civilizations. But did you know that the Egyptians were serious party lovers too?

 

Below you'll find a couple of tips to help you organize your very own Egyptian party to ensure that you and your guests enjoy life - Egyptian style. But first, a little background on their various feasts.

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Wep-renpet

This was the official New Year's festival and also the first to be held every year. But the ancient egyptians also associated with more than the new year: it was a time for rejuvenation.

The Festival of Opet

Also known as the "Beautiful Feast of Opet" this festival took place in Thebes. The purpose of this feast was to celebrate the divine connection between the pharaoh of the time and the almighty god Amun as it was thought that the latter bestowed much of his power on the former.

 

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The Beautiful Feast of the Valley

During this celebration the living had the opportunity to again feel the presence of their dearly departed loved ones. It would start at the Karnak temple where shrines of the god Amun and his wife and child would be loaded onto a boat. This boat or barge would then be towed west to visit various temples and ultimately end up at the necropolis.

 

It was between the start and end of this journey that joyous festivities took place that often involved music and dancing. When finally at their destination, everyone would eat and drink their fill until they entered into a state of mind which they believed brought them closer to the dead.

 

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Egyptian Party Invitations

Struggling for ideas for Egyptian party invitations? Well, if so, don’t worry because below we’ll share a few ideas. And to ensure that your potential guests have all the details, be sure to include the following invitation information:

  • Party Name: Supply your party with a striking name to entice your guests to come. Think along the lines of “Oman-Peter’s Festival of the Living”.

  • Salutation: These needn’t be too formal, except of your guests are true Egyptian royalty. A simple “Dear Kate & Pete” will do.

  • Date & Time

  • Venue/Location

  • Dress Code

  • Contact Details

  • Additional information…

 

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Papyrus Invitation

Some say the Chinese invented paper, but the paper we know today has its origins in Egypt. They traditionally invented and used papyrus on which they documented important events, procedures, etc.

 

This invitation can be easily made by downloading (with the appropriate permission) any Egyptian pharaoh’s papyrus image. Once done, simply use image editing software to edit out the necessary bits and replace them with your party’s details. When this is done, your local arts & crafts supply store should be able to provide you with papyrus sheets on which you will then be able to print your invitations.

 

For those who lack the necessary computer skill, go down to any shop that stocks Egyptian merchandise and buy the necessary papyrus images. Once done, use a stencil in the appropriate font and gently convey the details of your invitation onto the sheet.

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Tutankhamun Bust

For those with a bigger invitation budget, purchase Tutankhamun busts or any other Egyptian statuettes that you deem fit enough to use as an invitation. You’ll have to get one for each guest or at least one per couple.

 

Once you’ve got your Egyptian artifact, simply have an engraver engrave the details of your party on the plinth of the statuette.

 

Not only will this make an excellent invitation, but also one that your guests will be able to use in an ornamental capacity.

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Egyptian Leather Box

This Egyptian invitation will require two things which can both be bought at stores that stock Egyptian artifacts as well as on the internet:

  1. Papyrus Squares – about 8in x 8in.

  2. A small Egyptian leather box.

  3. Dry Sea sand or light colored sand

  4. Beads

Once you have everything, simply use a stencil (or if you are good enough, your own hand) and write the details of your invitation on the square of papyrus. Remember to include a couple of Egyptian hieroglyphs for the sake of authenticity.

 

Next, use a little sea sand or any other light colored sand and fill the little box about halfway. When that’s done, gently spread beads over the surface of the sand. Should you wish, ornamental scarab pendants could be used to add to the authenticity of this invitation.

 

Finally, place your invitation on top of the beads and close the box so that it’s ready for delivery.

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Egyptian Party Dress Code

In ancient Egypt, both men and women wore robes made of cotton or any other light material. In some instances, men wore short kilts instead of the full robes. Of course, what people wore back then largely also depended on their status and their position in society. Jewellery such as necklaces, breast pendants and badges were often the bodily decoration of the aristocrats.

 

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Egyptian Party Decorations

Ideas for Egyptian party decorations are plentiful. For those who don’t think themselves to be Egyptian artists of note, why not just shop online for your decorations or pop down to your local Egyptian merchandise retailer.

 

For those with a bit of time and some artistic skill, here are a couple of ideas that you can use to make your Egyptian party stand out. Most of these can be made using paper mache and paint:

  • Pyramids

  • The Sphinx

  • Scarabs

  • Pharaohs

  • Sarcophagi

  • Mummies

In addition, decorating your walls with hieroglyphs and images from ancient Egypt will serve to add to the Egyptian party atmosphere.

 

Additional decoration elements include beads, (fake) gold, Egyptian pendants, Egyptian statuettes, etc.

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Egyptian Party Guest Arrival & Announcement

As those individuals of note who attended Egyptian parties seldom needed an introduction, there isn’t really a set format. Therefore you can use your imagination to come up with a line or lines to suit the occasion. Just keep in mind that some of your guests might be arriving as royal dignitaries, for which the appropriate salutation should be used.

 

Here’s an example: “Announcing the royal vizier, his highness John Gladstone and his wide, Jade Gladstone”

 

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Egyptian Party Favors

As with Egyptian party invitations, the party favors can be bought either online or in any retail store that stocks Egyptian artifacts. Just be sure to get your guests something that can be used as an ornament so that they can think back to your party in times to come.

 

Ideas here include Egyptian figurines of pharaohs, statuettes, playing cards, pendants, necklaces, etc.

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Egyptian Party Activities

Egyptian Dancing

Want to walk like an Egyptian or shuffle like a mummy? Well, this is the activity where that’s all possible. Add a little spice to the event by limiting possible dance moves specifically to those that the ancient Egyptians would use.

Egyptian Film Festival

Although the ancient Egyptians didn’t have movies, we have no doubt they would have enjoyed them as much as we do today. Rent a couple of themed movies for the occasion to set that Egyptian party mood. Ideas here include The Mummy, Indiana Jones, Cleopatra and many, many more.

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Egyptian Bowling

Didn’t think the Egyptians knew how to bowl, did you? Well, according to certain scientific sources, the oldest bowling set (a ball and pins) dates back to about 2500B.C. And to make matters more interesting, it was found in a child’s grave in Egypt.

 

Entertain your guests by going out for a night of Egyptian bowling. Again, only mummy movements and the Egyptian walk is allowed. For those who don’t feel like going out in their cotton garments, simply use a ball and a couple of empty plastic bottles that have been filled with sand.

 

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Mummy Treasure Hunt

Pirates are not the only historical figures associated with treasure, but the Egyptians too. According to historical fact, many ancient Egyptians were buried with their earthly possessions. This gave rise to many tombs being opened and also to legends of riches beyond our wildest dreams!

 

Using your own cryptic clues, perhaps with the aid of hieroglyphs, paint a couple of hints around the venue that should act as guides to lead your guests to the location of a well-hidden treasure. Remember to do some research first to ensure that you know what the hieroglyphs mean that you will be using.

 

Additionally, look up some ancient Egyptian riddles to help you with this activity.

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Food & Drink

For your Egyptian themed party, the appearance of your food as well as the names you give it will be important. Consider shaping sandwiches and hamburgers like pyramids and your desserts like the sphinx. Oh, and don’t forget the sarcophagi soufflé!

 

As for drinks, well, your Egyptian attendees will be fine with anything from water to soft drinks; beer, wine and even liquor.

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Reader ideas