Women Can Party Too

This chapter examines an ostracon, O. Cairo CG 25705 + O. IFAO 1322 + O. Varille 38 (or O. Cairo CG 25705+), showing what appears to be a women's drinking party in Deir al-Medina. At first glance, O. Cairo CG 25705+, dated to the reign of Ramesses III or IV, seems to deal with a women's drinking party in honor of the goddess Hathor. The text also mentions Telmontu, who was related to Naunakhte through marriage: her son Neferhotep was married to his daughter. However, this might not be the goddess Hathor after all, but the birthday girl herself (or perhaps a girl who had just had her first menstruation or child). The personal name Hathor is actually not all that uncommon in Deir al-Medina. In theory this drinking party could even refer to a memorial service for a deceased Hathor. This chapter considers the possibility that Naunakhte's daughters and sons, and even her husband Khaemnun, attended similar events.