Statement 63

The Feast of the Valley was a celebrated reunion between the living and the dead and the deities who watched over them. It was celebrated in the second month of Shomu, in the harvest season before the flooding of the Nile. The occasion was not only a social event, but centered around the fundamental interpenetration of individual society, power and the spirit world. One has to consider the feast as the architecture of the universe. Preparations for the festival meant gathering flowers for the making of bouquets and garlands, which were to be worn and offered to the god as well as at the tombs of the deceased. Early in the morning, the priests prepared the statue of Amun and placed it in an enclosed shrine which was then carried on a ceremonial boat. People singing, dancing and making music met the procession as it emerged out of the temple and started on its path. Amun was “joined” by his spouse Mut and their son, Khonsu whose statues were also prepared and removed from their shrines forming a triad of deities. Starting out from Karnak, the shrines were carried in procession down to the river accompanied by a throng of people. They were set on board barges which were towed across the river to the western side to visit the various mortuary temples of the pharaohs. Offerings and hymns were performed at each of these places. Tombs of more wealthy people had shrines attached for the performing of rites for the dead. These were now entered, food and drink were set out, people prepared themselves for meeting with their deceased ancestor during an all night vigil. The garland made of petals from fresh flowers symbolizing regeneration was given to all participants, dead as well as living with the purpose to bring the deceased nearer to the living. This was followed by a boisterous feast with wine, beer, music, drumming, dancing.