Games, Laughter, and Music: The Ancient Egyptians Knew How to Have Fun
© The Trustees of the British Museum.
Welcome back, fellow adventurers! We’ve spent plenty of time exploring the temples, marveling at mummification, and admiring Egyptian medical breakthroughs, but today, we’re shifting gears to a lighter, livelier side of ancient life—entertainment!
You might picture ancient Egyptians as serious, deeply spiritual people focused on the afterlife (and you wouldn’t be wrong), but they also knew how to have a good time. Whether through board games, sharp-witted humor, or all-night musical celebrations, these ancient fun-seekers pioneered many of the ways we entertain ourselves today.
So, if you've ever laughed at a cartoon, played a board game, or danced at a party, you might just have the Egyptians to thank. Grab your metaphorical dice (or sistrum!), and let’s explore the lighter side of ancient Egyptian civilization!
The World’s First Board Games: Playtime in the Afterlife
Before Monopoly was ruining friendships and chess was melting minds, the Egyptians were already masters of strategy and fun. Their board games weren’t just casual pastimes—many were believed to be linked to the gods and the afterlife.
Senet: The Game of the Gods
If you could only play one board game in ancient Egypt, Senet was it.
· One of the oldest board games ever discovered (dating back over 5,000 years!)
· Played by pharaohs, nobles, and everyday people alike
· Found in tombs to accompany the dead—because gaming didn’t stop in the afterlife
How it worked: Senet was played on a 30-square board using stick dice instead of traditional dice. It was a game of strategy, luck, and religious significance, representing the journey to the afterlife. If you won? It meant your soul had a smooth trip to the Field of Reeds.
Losing? Well, let’s just say you might have been reincarnated as a dung beetle. No pressure!
Mehen: Ancient Egypt’s "Snakes and Ladders"
Another popular game was Mehen, a spiral-shaped board game where players navigated a coiled snake (symbolizing the protective serpent deity, Mehen).
Some historians believe it was a competitive game.
Others think it was ritualistic, symbolizing protection on the journey to the afterlife.
Either way, it involved moving lion-shaped game pieces around the board, and honestly, who doesn’t love a game with lion tokens?
Fun fact: If you lose at board games today, at least your soul isn’t on the line. The ancient Egyptians? They played for keeps.
Caricature & Comedy: The Ancient Egyptians Invented Memes?
Think ancient civilizations were humorless? Think again! The Egyptians had a wicked sense of humor, and they weren’t afraid to poke fun at pharaohs, animals, and even themselves.
Artists created exaggerated drawings of animals acting like humans—a kind of early political cartooning.
Satirical papyri showed pharaohs in absurd situations, proving that even rulers weren’t off-limits for jokes.
One of the most famous Egyptian "cartoons"? A papyrus showing a mouse acting as a king, ruling over cats! (Basically, the first-ever "Tom and Jerry" moment.)
They understood that laughter was a universal language—one that could challenge, entertain, and unite people, much like humor does today.
So, next time you see a hilarious meme, just remember—the ancient Egyptians did it first.
The Soundtrack of Ancient Egypt: Music & Dance
What’s a civilization without a great soundtrack? The Egyptians knew that music wasn’t just entertainment—it was a spiritual, social, and celebratory force.
Instruments That Still Exist Today
Many of the instruments Egyptians played thousands of years ago are still in use today.
Flutes & Harps – Because every great party needs some melody
Sistrums – Rattle-like instruments used in temple rituals (and, let's be honest, probably dance parties too)
Drums & Tambourines – No festival is complete without a good beat
Egyptians played music at temples, feasts, celebrations, and even during work—proving that a good playlist was just as essential then as it is now.
Festivals & Dancing: Ancient Egypt’s Concert Scene
Festivals were a big deal in ancient Egypt. Whether honoring gods or celebrating the flooding of the Nile, these events involved:
Live music & drumming
Processions through the streets
Dancing, drinking, and all-night revelry
One of the biggest celebrations was the Festival of Hathor, dedicated to the goddess of love, music, and joy. Think of it as the Coachella of ancient Egypt—only with more sacred rituals and fewer overpriced souvenirs.
Why It Still Matters Today
Ancient Egyptian entertainment laid the foundation for many things we still enjoy today.
They invented strategy board games that evolved into the ones we play now.
They pioneered humor and satire, proving that laughter really is timeless.
They understood the importance of music, dance, and celebration, making life richer and more meaningful.
If anything, they remind us that joy, creativity, and the need to have fun are essential parts of being human.
Wrapping It Up
The ancient Egyptians weren’t just builders of monuments—they were builders of culture, entertainment, and joy. They remind us that a civilization’s greatness isn’t just measured by its architecture but also by the ways its people came together to laugh, play, and celebrate life.
And if you want to experience where this rich culture was born, why not see it for yourself? With Kemet Spiritual Journeys, you can walk through the ancient streets, temples, and palaces where Egyptians once played games, cracked jokes, and danced the night away.
Plan your customized adventure today and step into the world of history’s most vibrant civilization!