The Impact of Ancient Egyptian Flutes on Modern Egyptian Flutes Introduction Music has played an integral role in Egyptian society since ancient times. Music has been seen in Ancient Egyptian society as early as 4000BC where it was involved largely in everyday life through playing a role in ceremonies, being linked to Gods and providing workers with a means to pass the hours whilst taking part in long, tedious tasks. Modern day Egyptian music still holds roots from Ancient Egyptian times as well as having evolved to incorporate musical styles which are more westernised.
This can be particularly seen in the evolution of the flute throughout Egyptian history. In a comparison between ancient and modern Egyptian flutes, the influence of ancient Egyptian society as well as modern Western society can be seen in the modern version. Ancient Egyptian Flutes In Ancient Egypt, music was involved in practically every aspect of everyday life, with the flute playing an integral role in this. Musicians had a variety of positions in society with all major categories of music existing in society including wind, string, and percussion instruments (Kelsey Museum of Archaeology).
As Pulver (1922, p. 0) states, “of the wind-instruments, by far the most popular was the flute, which without doubt originated in Egypt. ” These were originally made from reed, and evolved later to be made of wood and eventually bronze (Pulver, 1922). However, as Southgate (1915, p. 12) states, “it should be remarked that of old the term ‘Flute’ was applied to all instruments of the pipe family whether played with reeds, or true flue-blown. ” However, it can be seen that the most common was a simple pipe cut from the stalk of the ‘arudno donax’ which was a common water-plant from the Nile, hollowed out with finger holes pierced into it (Southgate, 1915).
This can be seen in Figure 1 where it is depicted on the wall of a burial chamber. Another common flute was the Egyptian Oblique Flute (which can be seen in Figure 2) which was depicted in the Old Kingdom as part of an orchestra. As this flute was constructed to approximately one metre in length and held obliquely, it can be inferred that no proper mouthpiece existed (Duchesne-Guillemin, 1981). Majority of the flutes discovered from this era had four finger holes which were perfectly bored from either the ivory or reed pipe which can be seen in Figure 3 (Duchesne-Guillemin, 1981; Southgate, 1891).
These flutes played a major role in Ancient Egyptian society and versions of these can still be seen in modern day Egyptian society. Current Egyptian Flutes The modern day Egyptian flute, used in society today is commonly known as the Nay or Ufaffa. This flute has roots common with their ancient Egyptian equivalent and the similarity can be seen between the two flutes depicted in figures 1 and 4. The version of the Nay used for worship and religious ceremonies is still in use and played in Cairo today as it’s simple structure has transcended time (Southgate, 1915).
As Southgate (1915, p. 108) outlines, the modern day nay is a “flute without mouthpiece and played obliquely. ” This flute is different from the westernised version of the flute which has a mouthpiece and is played horizontally beneath the lower lip. Despite the western version of the flute existing in multiple cultures worldwide, the original cultural version of the Egyptian flute still exists in Egyptian society. It can be noted that the word ‘nay’ refers to two different elements depending on its specific or general definition.
Generally, ‘nay’ refers to any instrument in the woodwind family; however, specifically, it refers to the reedpipe which is in use in modern day society (George, 1929). The term ‘mizmar’ also refers to a flute in Egyptian communities which differs from the nay in structure (as can be seen in figures 4 and 5) (George, 1929). This reed pipe, commonly in use in Egypt, is constructed in multiple parts for convenience of transportation and this aspect has been evolved over years of construction in Egyptian society (Southgate, 1915).
The Egyptian flute notably has roots from ancient times; however, through analysis, similarities and differences can be seen between flutes from both eras. Comparison between both Despite being in existence up to 5000 years apart, the ancient Egyptian flute and it’s modern day counterpart can be seen to have multiple similarities and differences which have evolved over time. Firstly, it can be seen that the modern day nay is very similar to the ancient oblique flute. This can be seen as they are both played obliquely and do not possess a mouthpiece (Southgate, 1915; Hickman, 1951).
However, it can also be seen that the nay flute used in orchestras today have different finger holes pierced to what was originally used which correspond with the “rules of Arabic musical theory” (Hickman, 1951). As well as this, the modern day version is made of iron as opposed to the traditional reed (Hickman, 1951). It can be inferred that the change in materials of which this instrument is made is due to the hardiness of an iron instrument as opposed to a reed instrument as well as the condensation from a player’s breath will have a lesser effect on distortion of iron than it would on reed.
It can also be seen that the flutes of both time periods had joints where it may be taken apart and reconstructed for convenience in transportation (Southgate, 1915). As well as this, when more than four holes were present on the flute, revolving rings were placed on the instruments that were able to be turned to make use of all the holes in the flute (Southgate, 1915). As Southgate (1915, p. 13) outlines, “it was an ingenious thought, anticipating the spring pad key in use in today’s woodwind instruments.
Flutes were used in multiple ways in everyday life in ancient Egyptian times and in comparison, despite flutes still playing a role in modern day society, the influence is not felt as strongly. In Ancient times, music was connected with dance and was wanted for multiple solemn ceremonies or for social purposes (Southgate, 1915). Overall, it can be seen that Egyptian flutes from both eras have many similarities and differences; however, the flutes still exist in Egyptian society and are in use in multiple ways as they were in ancient times.
Conclusion The role music has played in Egyptian society has evolved over the centuries since Ancient Egypt; however, it must be noted that it’s place in society has remained. It can also be seen that the music and instruments which existed in Ancient Egypt transcended time and still has a large influence on modern day music and instruments. This can be particularly seen in comparison of flutes from ancient times and their modern day counterparts. The flutes which exist in modern day Egypt are a reflection of eras past and show the evolution of music from a primitive form to a more advanced form which still holds roots with its ancestors.
