Opet Festival; A Brief Overview

mystic-scarab:

The Beautiful Feast of Opet is a festival that was celebrated in ancient Egypt in honor of the Netjer Amun (Amun-Ra), Mut, and Khonsu, the triad of Waset (usually called Thebes, & modern day Luxor). It began in the second month of Akhet, the inundation; on the modern day calendar, it begins on September 1st. Pharaoh Hatshepsut is believed to be the first pharaoh to develop and celebrate the Opet Festival. During her reign, the festival only lasted for 11 days. Other Pharaohs that had celebrated this festival are Amenhotep III, Tutankhamun, and Ramesses II. The purpose of this festival was to give energy to the Netjer, and to reestablish the pharaohs divine right to rule. It was thought that throughout the year, the Netjer would grow tired and lack energy. The ceremony is a means of rebirth and renewal for both the Netjer and the pharaoh. It is also believed to celebrate [and reconsimate] the marriage of Amun and Mut. The way the ancient Egyptians celebrated this festival was with a grand procession starting from modern day Karnak, and travelled to modern day Luxor. During this procession, statues of Amun, Khonsu, and Mut were picked up and transported to Thebes (where the majority of the celebration took place). Amun-Ra was the first, then Khonsu, and last was Mut. Large crowds that consisted of many people walked along the barque that carried the Netjer, this festival was a way for the people of lower class to become closer to the Netjer. (Which makes sense, since Khonsu was thought to be close to those of piety). The routes taken varied from pharaoh to pharaoh, the route Hatshepsut had taken was the one of the land. On her return route, they took the river, which symbolized Amun-Ra’s rejuvenation in Luxor, and arriving in triumph to Karnak. After the arriving in Luxor, the statues of the Theban Triad stayed together for 20-27 days.

Sources/References:

http://m.touregypt.net/featurestories/opetfestival2.htm

http://m.touregypt.net/featurestories/opetfestival1.htm

http://www.britannica.com/topic/Opet-Egyptian-festival

http://anthropology.msu.edu/anp264-ss15/2015/02/12/the-opet-festival-in-thebes/