Ancient Egypt
Part of the Ancient Egypt gallery at World Museum Liverpool.
(The Chantress is in the middle of writing a chant for a ceremony when we join her.)
...Amun-Re, great god who presides over Karnak,
The august god who hears prayer,
Who delivers joy to...
No. no, that's not right.
Who listens to the voice of...of...of...
Arghh! Maybe if I have a little rest the next line will come to me. It's not easy being a Chantress, you know. I don't just sing the chants at the ceremonies I have to write them too. And dance and play music...you probably know it as multi-tasking!
There is a big festival taking place in two days time and it is such a wonderful, colourful occasion - I can hardly wait!
Of course it is a great honour to perform in front of so many people. Not everyone is allowed to take part - you have to be high up in society. Apart from chanting I play sacred instruments that only a few people are even allowed to touch!
I have my Menyat beads to shake to keep the rhythm of the chant and my sistrum that rattles with a light jingling like the sound of the Nile lapping the shore.
But it isn't just the sound of the festival that is beautiful - there's the smell of all the flowers and the wonderful food too. It's making my mouth water to think about all that succulent red meat.
(Her mind starts to wander off)
All the people will be wearing colourful clothes and garlands around their neck, eating and drinking, and having a wonderful time, and I shall be floating serenely down the river in one of the many boats and...
...oh I'd better get back to finishing this chant.
The august god who hears prayer,
Who gives...who gives...breath to him who is wretched!