THE GUIDE FOR YOUNG WOMEN IN ANCIENT EGYPT

AN AWARD WINNING, PHILOSOPHICAL SHORT STUDY GUIDE BY SAHAR SALEHI

PRETEXT

AS A GUIDE FOR ALL YOUNG WOMEN OF ANY SOCIAL CLASS, THIS GUIDE SHALL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE EXPECTATIONS YOU ARE TO MEET IN SOCIETY.

EACH CLASS WILL HAVE A CLEAR DESCRIPTION OF WHAT IS REQUIRED AND A FINAL LIST OF DO’S AND DON’TS TO CLEARLY IDENTIFY YOUR SPECIFIC ROLES IN THE COMMUNITY.

LOWER CLASS

ALTHOUGH THERE IS NOT MANY JOBS YOU CAN PARTAKE , YOU ARE EXPECTED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY AND YOUR FAMILY. YOU ARE TO LEARN BASIC EDUCATION FROM YOUR PARENTS, AND THE ROLES OF YOUR MOTHER BEFORE YOU GET MARRIED. THIS INCLUDES: LOOKING AFTER CHILDREN, POTTERY, WEAVING(FOR CLOTHES, BASKETS OR MATS), AND FOOD PREPARATION.

IF YOUR FATHER OR HUSBAND HAS A JOB WORKING FOR THE HIGHER CLASS SUCH AS THE WORK GANG OR FEILDS, YOU ARE ABLE TO JOIN THEM IN THIER LABOUR. JOBS OF PRESTIGE ARE NOT OPEN TO YOUR CLASS.

IF YOUR FATHER OR HUSBAND HAS PROBLEMS DEALING WITH THE LAW OR CAN NOT PAY OFF HIS DEBTS, YOUR LIFE CAN BE PUT IN DANGER UNTIL THE DISPUTE IS SETTLED.

MIDDLE CLASS

AS A YOUNG WOMAN IN A MODERATELY WELL-OFF FAMILY YOUR ROLES ONLY SLIGHTLY CHANGE. YOU ARE TO BEHAVE AS YOU ARE. THE FEW DIFFERENCES FROM THE LOWER CLASS IS NOTED HERE.

HELPING WITH YOUR MOTHER IS STILL A REQUIREMENT. YOU CAN HELP WITH CERTAIN JOBS WITHIN YOUR FATHERS TRADE

LIKE AGRICULTURE. IF YOU CAN NOT WORK IN YOUR FATHERS ENTREPRISE, MANY JOBS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOU, SUCH AS A BAKER, ENTERTAINER, OR BREWER. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT COMMON YOU CAN ALSO TAKE ON A MALE JOB SUCH AS A FLORIST, DOCTOR OR A BOAT PILOT.

YOU ARE ALSO TO LOOK AFTER SLAVES IF YOU POSSESS ONE. DECORATE YOUR DRESS WITH DYES AND BEADS THAT YOU HAVE

BARTERED WITH AND TRY TO KEEP IT TIDY, WEALTH AND STATUS IS MEASURED BY HOW CLEAN YOU ARE LOOKING.

UPPER CLASS

AS A WOMAN OF HIGH PRESTIGE, LIFE IS MORE DFFERENT THAN THE MIDDLE OR LOVER CLASS. YOU ARE TO BEHAVE COURTEOUSLY AS YOU ARE REPRESENTING YOUR FAMILY AND ACT AS YOUR STATUS. MANY JOBS THAT THE CLASSES LOWER THAN YOU ARE DONE BY THE SLAVES.

YOU WILL LEARN EDUCATION FROM YOUR MOTHER IN THE PRIVATE HAREM AND STAY HIDDEN FROM THE REST OF THE CASTLE UNLESS REQUESTED.

THE CLOSEST YOU CAN GET TO A JOB OF PRESTIGE IS BY WORKING WITH THE ROYAL SCRIBES OR POWER CAN BE ISSUED IF YOUR HUSBAND/FATHER ALLOWS PARALELL POWER.

YOUR ATTIRE MUST REPRESENT YOUR CLASS, THEREFORE IT MUST BE TIDY AND FREE OF ANY DIRT. ADORN YOUR DRESSES WITH PRECIOUS BEADS AND RARE DYES THAT YOU HAVE AQUIRED.

YOUNG WOMEN:OVERVIEW OF ALL CLASSES

DO’S DO NOT’S

TAKE CARE OF CHILDREN: FEED, TEACH, CLEAN AND RAISE THEM

ABANDON YOUR HOUSEHOLD DUTIES

HELP WITH YOUR MOTHER IN COMPLETING HOUSEHOLD DUTIES: POTTERY, WEAVING, CLEANING, ECT.

BREAK THE LAW

LEARN EDUCATION FROM MOTHER LOOK FOR JOBS OF PRESTIEGE

WORSHIP THE GODS DISRESPECT YOUR FAMILY OR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY

KEEP YOURSELF AND YOUR CLOTHES CLEAN

BARTER ITEMS FOOLISHLY

GUIDE FOR YOUNG WOMEN:EPILOUGE AS WE HAVE NOW LOOKED AT THE

DIFFERENT SOCIAL CLASSES OF WOMEN AND HOW THEY SHOULD BEHAVE IS DEFINED.

WOMEN OF ALL CLASSES HAVE LEGAL, PROPERTY, AND MARRAIGE RIGHTS IF A DISPUTE WERE EVER TO HAPPEN.

STILL NOT SATISFIED? ASK YOUR MOM.