Russia recreates ancient Egyptian fashion, art, and everyday life

The number of historical clubs studying the culture of the BRICS countries is growing. For example, in the "Ragor" association, participants recreate the life of Ancient Egypt. Reconstruction of this epoch united more than 150 people from different Russian cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Omsk, Novosibirsk.

If household items can be recreated thanks to archaeological finds, the music is more difficult.

According to the choreographer of the association Olga Fugina, music in ancient Egypt was passed from generation to generation. Notation records or other evidence of the sounding of melodies have not survived. It is known that music was based on rhythm and clapping, sometimes accompanied by singing or playing on musical instruments: drums or a percussion instrument emitting a rustling sound – sistrum. And in dance, every movement had a meaning.

Reconstructionist Agnessa Armorick, in a conversation with TV BRICS, spoke about the stereotype associated with the clothing of the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt. 

"Traditional outfits are white smoothly woven linen, which we find in tombs. Coloured textiles are extremely rare. But there are isolated images on small shards which reveal that coloured accents were not only used in pottery. There were also belts, some of which archaeologists managed to discover," she shared.

Participants of the reconstruction club can learn a traditional craft, for example, weaving on boards that resemble a miniature loom: four holes, four threads. They were filled with one colour or several, the boards rotated, the threads crossed and turned into fabric. This is how the Egyptians created coloured belts from wool and linen. The accessory was tied twice around the waist, and the long ends went down to the floor. This element stood out in colour against white linen tunics and created a vertical accent.

Ancient Egyptian fashionistas not only dressed up, but also applied make-up, which emphasised a person's status and wealth and even protected. For example, kajal – an eye pencil – was used to colour the mucous membrane of the eyelid in order not to catch an infection. In the East, this tradition is still preserved to this day. Archaeologists often find copper mirrors, small boxes for oils and powders, and bone sticks – they were used instead of brushes. Nails were painted bright red with a mixture of henna and wax.

At the meetings of the reconstruction club, scholars give lectures and master classes on ancient Egyptian writing, and participants make jewellery, paint bas-reliefs, and play board games.

Photo: TV BRICS