The Pyramids are likely the first pictures that come to mind whenever Egypt is mentioned. Also, many people only know Egypt as a country that has one of the longest histories of any nation, dating back to the 6th to 4th millennia BCE and characterized by some of the early innovations in writing, agriculture, urbanization, organized religion, and central government.
But then, away from the obvious, here are some more interesting and unpopular details about the northeastern African country that will definitely amaze you.
Fascinating Details About Egypt
1. Ancient Egyptians Prepared Meals for their Dead
Among their many other astounding customs, the Ancient Egyptians also made massive amounts of food for their deceased. To them, death was not the end of life; it was only a transition from one state to another. Ancient Egyptians believed the dead lived in the afterlife and relied upon the living to remember them and present them with offerings of food and drink periodically.
Furthermore, Ancient Egyptians even celebrated their ‘reunion’ with the dead during the ‘beautiful’ festival of the valley or the ‘feast of the valley’. During this celebration, they spent their nights in the tombs with their ancestors while feasting and partying with them. More so, ancient Egyptians used to make an offering list of gifts for anyone who died and inscribe it on the wall of their tomb. Someone who had performed great deeds held a high position of authority, or led troops to victory in battle were due greater offerings than another who had done relatively little with their lives.
2. Great Cooking Results from Tossing salt over Your Shoulder
Another Egyptian custom that dates back to the time of the Egyptian pharaohs is the notion that cooking is improved by throwing salt over your left shoulder before you begin. It was also believed that the practice would help to drive evil away from you.
3. Spilling Your Coffee is a good omen
In Egypt, coffee and red tea are the most popular beverages. Yet, spilling coffee unintentionally is a sign of good luck. The majority of those in the immediate vicinity will tell someone who has spilled coffee that it is a sign that good things are about to happen. So, the next time you go to Egypt and spill a cup of coffee, who knows? you might just get some good news.
4. Cats were Regarded as Deities
For thousands of years, the ancient Egyptians revered several animals, especially dogs, and cats. Although dogs were prized for their hunting and protection skills, cats were regarded as deities. More so, cats were thought to be mystical beings who could bestow luck on their owners. Rich families would commemorate these beloved pets by dressing them in jewels and placing them on special meals.
The cats were mummified after they passed away and cat owners removed their eyebrows as a show of sadness and remained in mourning till their eyebrows grew back. Cats were so unique that anyone found guilty of killing one, even accidentally, received the death penalty. Furthermore, the gods and goddesses of Egyptian mythology had the ability to change into various animals but the ability to transform into a cat belonged to just one deity, the goddess Bastet.
5. It is Important to Finish Your Glass of Juice
Remember to drink all of the juice when visiting an Egyptian household, especially if they have girls. A host family with daughters will typically offer guests a glass of juice, with the assumption that if they don’t finish it, their daughters won’t get married.
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6. Egyptians Prefer to Begin their Steps with the Right Leg
When going into a new place, like a new house, Egyptians would prefer stepping in with their right leg. They believe that doing so can attract blessings, happiness, and prosperity.
7. Twitching Eye Means Something Bad is About to Happen
Have you ever had a brief twitching of the eye? Well, for Egyptians, it can also be a warning that something negative is going to happen especially if it is the left eye. As a result of this, Some Egyptians wait for bad things to happen to them or to hear the bad news all day simply because their eyes twitch.
8. A Turned Slipper Brings Satan Inside the House
9. Majority of Egyptians Dislike Black Crows.
The majority of Egyptians dislike black crows. This is due to their belief that if a black crow is seen perched on a house’s roof, something negative will happen to the residence or its occupants. Most often, they believe someone will pass away.
10. Ancient Egyptians had Experimental Marriages
Ancient Egyptians frequently engaged in experimental marriage. Normally, the testing phase lasted a full year, and this was to determine whether a lady was genuinely fertile. A woman’s pregnancy brought the experiment to an end. After that, the marriage itself takes place.
Meanwhile, Ancient Egyptians believed marriages between mortals were believed to be carried forward in the afterlife.
