DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3720#0046
30
DOMESTIC HABITS OF THE EGYPTIANS.
their steps, but on the graceful attitudes they assumed during
the performance ; and figure dances were also great favourites.
Both men and women danced for hire; but the latter being-
more graceful were selected for dances requiring elegance of
(W. 17.) 12 3
posture; and this, as well as a greater natural facility of balance,
recommended them for feats of tumbling.
To stand on one foot, while singing, was equally an accomplish-
ment at an Egyptian as at aEomanparty; and being a common
attitude at the beginning as well as in the middle of a dance,
it was chosen as the hieroglyphic to signify " dancing." But
one of the most remarkable steps in the Egyptian dance was the
pirouette, which there excited the applause of spectators about
4000 years ago ; and some other steps of our modern lallet
seem to have been known to them (woodcut 17).
Sacred dancing was also practised in the religious ceremonies
of Egypt; nor was it considered ill-suited to such occasions by
the Jews ;* and some religious ceremonies were accompanied
with dances, feasting and games ; as when the Israelites having
" offered burnt offerings" to the golden calf, " sat down to eat,
and to drink, and rose up to play ;" and were found by Moses
" dancing" before it.
* "The name" of God ivas "praised in the dance."—Ps. cxlix. 3.
DOMESTIC HABITS OF THE EGYPTIANS.
their steps, but on the graceful attitudes they assumed during
the performance ; and figure dances were also great favourites.
Both men and women danced for hire; but the latter being-
more graceful were selected for dances requiring elegance of
(W. 17.) 12 3
posture; and this, as well as a greater natural facility of balance,
recommended them for feats of tumbling.
To stand on one foot, while singing, was equally an accomplish-
ment at an Egyptian as at aEomanparty; and being a common
attitude at the beginning as well as in the middle of a dance,
it was chosen as the hieroglyphic to signify " dancing." But
one of the most remarkable steps in the Egyptian dance was the
pirouette, which there excited the applause of spectators about
4000 years ago ; and some other steps of our modern lallet
seem to have been known to them (woodcut 17).
Sacred dancing was also practised in the religious ceremonies
of Egypt; nor was it considered ill-suited to such occasions by
the Jews ;* and some religious ceremonies were accompanied
with dances, feasting and games ; as when the Israelites having
" offered burnt offerings" to the golden calf, " sat down to eat,
and to drink, and rose up to play ;" and were found by Moses
" dancing" before it.
* "The name" of God ivas "praised in the dance."—Ps. cxlix. 3.