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MISTRESS OF THE HOUSE
Women of all classes could earn wages, own property and employ workers, but their main role was within the family. The title most women had was "mistress of the house". They were considered equal with men before the law, and could sue for damages and divorce.
Musical scenes on murals seem to indicate a predominance of female musicians during the New Kingdom. Music served both secular and religious purposes, with many high-status New Kingdom women holding the position of "chantress" to a local god. Harps, lutes, flutes, oboes, tambourines and sistra (rattles) were the main instruments used. Depending of social and economic class, the mistress of the house probably had other responsibilities, but here it is much more difficult to generalize.
We know that spinning and weaving took place in some homes, but it is impossible to say how prevalent these activities were. It is certainly likely that outside the large estates of the wealthy the housewife was expected to wash the clothes and do any repairs. Some had small looms and made their own cloth. Little more than a needle and thread were needed to turn raw cloth into clothing. We have records of women selling their creations to others in the village, but we have no way of knowing what percentage of housewives bought their clothing and what percentage made it.
Somebody had to carry water since there were no taps in turn on, and mothers had to look after their children. We have no way of knowing, how much help, if any, the average man provided in the performance of these duties.
Artical by: Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation.
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