Cats in the Ancient Egyptian territories were therefore highly respected due to the existence of the very honorable Bast goddess, but we were also greatly appreciated for other more practical reasons. For example, our species was known for our abilities to eagerly control all kinds of little crawling creatures, as was previously mentioned regarding the present-day distinction we receive.
In our sacred homeland, we were similarly applauded in the past for our talents to be able to hunt down many kinds of unwelcome invaders that might be bothersome to the human types. In the case of the Egyptians, we protected their granaries, those being a principal and important storage area of food supplies for them.
In my classes, I also learned that cats of royalty, in some instances, were known to be adorned in gold jewelry and were allowed to eat directly from their caretakers’ plates. How about that! Take note, please, and let’s see if there are going to be a few changes made regarding the current home dining customs, okay?
Between you and me, the jewelry I could do without since that seems kind of arrogant for us cats to be wandering around the neighborhood with a bunch of necklaces and earrings and bracelets. On the other hand, the plate-sharing idea definitely and without any doubt is a real winner of an idea!
What’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine, and how about if we head over to the kitchen right now and do some serious snacking! You do the cooking and I’ll set the table and wait for the delivery of the delicious munchies. No more circling around down below on the floor for this Royal Freddy!
Speaking of eating, it seems that the Ancient Egyptians had this super-duper, fantastic festival every year in the city of Bubastis (meaning “she who comes from Bast”), which was the center of worship for the goddess herself. This festival took place during the month of October for many years, and hundreds of thousands of humans and cats made their annual pilgrimage to attend.
You might want to make a note on your own calendar right now. When this sacred month rolls around the next time, you can organize a special fish festival for your own kitties in your city, washing it all down with an unending stream of fresh, whole milk. Yum!
At Bubastis, there was singing, dancing, and lots of food, drinks, and craziness in general. Probably some good mouse-tracking exhibitions, tree climbing competitions, and things like that were to be enjoyed too during the festivities.
On a more serious note, as the festival ended in the evening each year, they offered prayers to the honorable Bast, accompanied by the burning of incense and spiritually oriented music. Solemnly they all kneeled down, clasped their hands together, looked up to the heavens, and soulfully thanked Bast for their good fortune.
What wonderful times those must have been.