Did Egyptians have Barbershops ?

Yes, the concept of barbering, and dedicated places for it, has a very long history, tracing back to Ancient Egypt around 3500 BC.

While they might not have looked like the modern barbershops we recognize today with rotating poles and leather chairs, the Egyptians had highly respected individuals who performed the role of barbers.

Here's what we know about ancient Egyptian barbers and their practices:

• High Status: Barbers in Ancient Egypt were highly respected members of society. Some even held religious or priestly roles, as it was believed that evil spirits could enter the body through hair, and cutting it was a way to ward them off. They also performed ceremonial hair cuttings during events like marriages and baptisms.

  
  

• Emphasis on Hygiene: The ancient Egyptians placed immense importance on personal hygiene and appearance, largely due to the hot climate and their beliefs. Many, especially the elite and priests, maintained clean-shaven heads and bodies to demonstrate cleanliness and status.

  
  

• Tools: Early Egyptian barbers used tools made of sharpened flint, oyster shells, and later, bronze and copper razors. They also used oils, perfumes, and ointments in their grooming rituals.

  
  

• "Shops" or Dedicated Spaces: While there might not have been what we would call "barbershops" in the sense of public commercial establishments as they developed in Roman times (known as "tonstrinae"), there were certainly dedicated individuals providing these services. The wealthiest Egyptians likely had personal, in-house barbers who attended to their daily shaving and grooming needs. For others, barbers might have set up in public areas, beneath a tree, or traveled to clients. Archaeological evidence, like tomb reliefs, shows barbers at work, sometimes with clients seated on the floor.

So, while the formal "barbershop" as a public social gathering place developed more prominently in Ancient Rome and Greece, the profession of barbering and the practice of regular hair removal and styling were well-established and highly valued in Ancient Egypt, indicating a dedicated system for these grooming services.

#Egyptianbarbershop #Egyptianbarber #Egyptianhistory