Ancient Egyptian culture was closely associated with the Nile, and their New Year seemed to correspond to its annual flood, according to the Roman writer Censorinus, and the Egyptian New Year was predicted when Sirius would become the brightest star at night — visible for the first time after an absence of 70 days. This phenomenon, known as solar rise, usually occurred in mid-July before the annual flooding of the Nile, helping to ensure that agricultural land remained fertile for the next year.
The Egyptians celebrated this new beginning with a festival known as Wipet Rainpet, which means "the opening of the year." The new year was seen as a time of rebirth and rejuvenation, and was honored with special religious feasts and rituals.
Recent discoveries in the Temple of Mut show that during the reign of Hatshepsut, it hosted the first month of the year, the “Sugar Festival.” This huge party was associated with the legend of Sekhmet, the goddess of war who planned to kill all mankind until a god deceived her.
Thu, Dec. 30, 2021
