Domestication
Though there is uncertainty at the exact time that the cats were domesticated but anicent Egyptian time pests were a great problem for the villagers. Beginning as a wild, untamed species, cats would often be seen chasing and going after pests, thus, being extremely useful. Through time, this creatures had learned to coexist with human beings leading to domestication.
Cats in everyday Ancient Egypt
Egyptians did not distinguish from wild and tame cat. Instead they called cats miu or mii meaning "he or she who mews." But there are two known breeds of cats native to egypt the jungle cat Felis Chaus and the African wildcat Felis silvestris lybic, the latter being the one domesticated.
Having numerous poisonous snakes, rats and mice attacking the food supply in the homes of Egyptian villagers, the wild cat was assumed to have staryed in to the villages and hunted their pests down. Grateful, the Egyptains started leaving out scraps of food to encourage this wild cats. A symbiotic relationship occured between the animal and humans.
As the felines found their way into the Egyptian homes, spent some time there, allowed themselves to be tamed and raised their kittens in a human environment, soon as the Egyptians significantly changed their diet, and bred them for certain characteristics. The most perfect pets-playful, intelligent, affectionate and helpful to the farmers who sustained life in ancient Egypt.
Many Egptian parents would even name their daughter after cats. Cats were believed to contain mysterious and superstitious powers.
Tomb paintings with cats as part of family life began to show up during the New Kingdom-about 500 years after the first attempts at domestication. The appearrance of mumified cats further strenghtened the proof of the bond of families and thier pets. As they were most likely domesticated cats from ordinary households or temple catteries; it wouldn't make sense to go to such trouble for wild animals who died.
The Sacred Animal
Mafdet was the earliest feline cat goddess recorded. It is described in the Pyramid Texts as killing a serpent with her claws. But the most famous cat goddesses in the world, first revered by the ancient Egyptians were Bastet (also known as Bast, Pasch, Ubasti) and the lion-headed Sekhmet.
Often depicted as having the body of a woman and the head of a domestic cat, Bastet was assocciated with th Eye of Ra. Thus, acting within the sun gods pwer. She became a household goddess and the protector of women, children and domestic cats. Loved by Egyptians, she was alo the goddess of sunrise, dance, music, pleasure, and family, fertility and birth
But Bastet had an alter ego, the goddes Sekhmet who represented the cat goddess' destructive force. She is known as the goddess of war and pestilence. But even she was tamed by Ra (who supposedly got her drunk) and she eventually became the powerful protector of humans. Together, Bastet and Sekhmet represented the balance of the forces of nature.
Cats stated appearring on evryday objects. Some of them can be found on intricate bracelets, small golden cat pendants, cats amulets made of soapstone for necklaces and rings. Women made up their faces holding mirrors with cats on the wooden handles and on their cosmetic pots. The best part was that ordinary people could enjoy the protection of the cat goddess through their amulets on their clothing or around their necks or in their earlobes. There were even dream interpretations about cats who were said that if seen in a dream, it means he will have a good harvest
There were festivities in their honour and cults dedicated to them. Truly, no one loved their cats like Ancient Egyptians.
