Monkey

The Monkeys of Ancient Egypt


 * Egyptian Name:**

//Ky'w// (Patas Monkey)

//Gef// (Vervet Monkey)


 * Hieroglyphics:**

(Vervet Monkey)

Various species of monkey such as the Vervet Monkey and Patas Monkey were originally indigenous to Egypt; however, they became extinct by the New Kingdom and had to be imported from Nubia. Barbary Macaques were also imported from western North Africa. Queen Hatshepsut is recorded as having monkeys imported from Punt to become part of her royal zoo. Unlike baboons, there was no worship of monkeys in Egypt - they were kept not as sacred animals, but solely as pets.

Although there is some evidence to suggest that monkeys were taught to climb trees and pick fruit for their owners, the economic advantage of keeping monkeys was minimal. It seems that these animals were adopted into daily life purely for the delight of witnessing their buffoonery. The monkey was as favorite a companion as a dog or cat, and were popular because of their clownish antics and capacity for mimicry.

Monkeys were customarily kept collared and leashed, and are frequently depicted on tombs under the chairs of their owners, playing with the children of the household, riding on the back of a pet dog, mischievously pulling the tails of other animals, or perching on the heads of their minders.

Monkeys often wore fancy collars or a belt, sometimes bracelets and anklets, and on occasion they were dressed up in human clothes for the amusement of their owners. Those that were owned by wealthy families often wore gold jewelry as fine as that worn by humans. Amenophis II was buried with his two favorite pets, a dog and a monkey. On a funeral stela, a woman is pictured with her pet monkey, "Dearie," who relaxes under her mistress' chair, eating fruit from a hamper. Senmut's pet monkey was buried with its favorite treat, raisins.

The ancient Egyptians loved animals and preserved their beloved pets in hopes that they would accompany their owners into the afterlife. Pet monkeys were frequently mummifed and buried in their own small decorated sarcophagi, sharing their owner's tombs. Their belongings were often buried with them, such as collars, jewelery, and favorite toys.

Until X-rays were done, several of these carefully preserved monkeys were misidentified as the mummies of children. Despite being quite pampered pets, monkeys in ancient Egypt only lived from six to ten years due to a lack of proper exercise and diet, and suffered from rickets, tumors, and tuberculosis.

An inscription by a father for his son states that "The monkey carries the stick [for dancing] although his mother did not carry it," meaning that the clever animal was capable of learning tricks. Monkeys were upheld before pupils as examples of teachability: "Monkeys are taught to dance" and "The monkey learns to understand words" were common proverbs.

Although it is certain that in ancient Egypt monkeys were taught to dance, that they could be taught to play various musical instruments or water the garden, as some are pictured as doing, is possible, but unlikely. Monkeys sometimes appear unrealistically working at winepresses, rigging sea-going barques, and even helping with the morning toilet in their mistress' chamber. These are most likely comic spoofs on these professions rather than depictions of the real-life behavior of monkeys, however.

The playful monkey was readily used as a decorative element on objects such as cosmetic tools, perfume jars, and children's toys. Faience, glass, and bronze amulets of monkeys were carried for good luck. The motif of the "monkey under the chair," like the dog, had an additional meaning for men - a monkey pictured crouching under a man's chair was a symbol of his virility and prosperity, similar to the cat under the chair of a woman.

The Primates of Ancient Egypt