Middle East Times 11 Julym 2004
Scott Noegel, president of the American Research Center in Egypt’s (ARCE) northwest chapter, told “Discovery News” that ancient Egyptian humor consisted of at least five basic categories.
For satire, Noegel explained that commoners would make fun of leaders by showing Pharaohs in an unflattering manner. For example, some leaders were depicted unshaven or “especially effeminate.”
Slapstick comedy included drawings that showed people suffering unfortunate accidents, such as hammers falling on heads, or passengers tipping out of boats.
The ancient Egyptians had a special fondness for animal humor, given the many examples of sketches on papyrus, paintings, and other drawings, according to Noegel.
He said, “[The images show] …. baboons and cats out of control, animals riding on top of other unlikely animals, baboons playing instruments, and animals drinking and dining.”
“From everything that I’ve seen and heard, I believe that their sense of humor was very similar to our own,” said Vincent Jones, who organized one of Andrews’ lectures last week, and is president of the ARCE Georgia chapter.
While the Egyptians built no temples to honor Bes, shrines for the chubby, bearded dwarf with uncombed hair were placed in many homes, he said. The ancient Egyptians believed that anytime a baby smiled or laughed for no reason, Bes was in the room making faces. |