Dance in ancient Egypt

Dancing played an important role in the lives of the ancient Egyptians. However, men and women are never depicted dancing together.^[1][2] The trf was a dance performed by a pair of men during the Old Kingdom.^[3] Dance groups were accessible to perform at dinner parties, banquets, lodging houses, and even religious temples. Some women from wealthy harems were trained in music and dance. They danced for royalty accompanied by male musicians playing on guitars, lyres, and harps.^[4] Yet, no well-bred Egyptian would dance in public, because that was the privilege of the lower classes.^[5] Wealthy Egyptians kept slaves to entertain at their banquets and present pleasant diversion to their owners.^[6]