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WOMENS JOBS IN EGYPT: According to tomb scenes it would appear that most ancient Egyptian women worked in the home where they are clearly shown doing domestic work, their 'light skins' an indication that they must have spent most of their time indoors. Whereas the men were always painted with brown skins, an indication that they predominantly worked outdoors. However these scenes are most likely to have been idealistic, rather than realistic and should be viewed as such.  In truth, evidence clearly suggests that there was paid work available for
women and those of a better education would have been quite capable of taking up professional
posts, usually as administrators, or supervisors.
One such recorded occupation was that of
'Judge and Vizier to Pharaoh', held by Lady Nebet of the Old Kingdom. A vizier
was the most powerful person after the king, acting as his 'right hand man'
It is thought however that Nebet's husband actually officiated in the post whilst
she held the title. Surviving texts often describes harems (women's quarters within the palace)
as important economic organisations that received regular supplies of rations
and which were governed very much as a business by royal women. There was one particular ‘harem’,
founded in the reign of Tuthmoses III (1479-1425 BC), which was constantly occupied
throughout the rest of the 18th Dynasty. Permanent harems of this period would
have had agricultural lands, cattle and weaving centres, training facilities
and many female employees. These ‘harems’ were obviously powerful
and independent establishments, both physically and economically. Taking up a career in entertainment was another
particularly good job for women, as musicians and dancers were always in great demand.
Two reknown musicians in the Old Kingdom were Hekenus and Iti. These women was so popular
that they even had their act painted on the wall of a tomb. This was a particularly
great honor as usually only members of the deceased family were included in the scenes.
(Note - Some of these jobs were also done by men) It would be a grave mistake to underestimate the
importance of the working woman and the impact she had on the ecomonic strength
of Ancient Egypt. |