HAPY Egyptology SocietY
Promoting the understanding and appreciation of ancient Egyptian culture in Yorkshire
We have three Areas of activity:
- LECTURES – We invite Egyptology experts to deliver a wide variety of relevant and interesting topics.
- HIEROGLYPH LESSONS – For our Society members, who are interested, we hold hieroglyph lessons and group study sessions. These are at different levels so that members can chose to attend lessons/sessions appropriate to their level of expertise. The beginner’s course is four lessons long and aims to provide an introduction to the topic and the chance to decide whether a member would like to take the study further.
- ACTIVITY SESSIONS – These are led by members and have a “let’s share and learn together” approach. These sessions reflect the interests of members have included sessions on: the great pharaohs, the geography of ancient Egypt, major gods of Egypt.
We hold the hieroglyph lessons and the activity sessions on a monthly/bi-monthly basis so the commitment need not be too great, being mindful of the busy lives which so many of our members are living!
Who was Hapy?
The baboon god, Hapy, is not to be confused with the Nile god, Hapi. In the photograph below, taken in the tomb of Nefertari, you can clearly see the name of the God written in hieroglyphs. The double reed hieroglyph is usually given the value “y” – hence the name Hapy.
Hapy is the name of one of the four sons of Horus. He had an association with the North and his image, a baboon, was used for one of the four canopic jars used to house the organs during the mummification process at certain stages of egyptian culture. The Hapy jar was used to contain the lungs. It is hoped that his name will provide inspiration for the atmosphere at the meetings and the approach of its members.
Why Hapy?
Hapy was one of the gods found on the four canopic jars used to hold the internal organs during the mummification process. – his jar was used to hold the lungs.
In ancient Egypt Hapy also had strong associations with the North, another feature which we found attractive. Of course, his name suggests an approach to study which we aim to adopt; Hapy by name and happy by nature!
The Society had its first Annual General Meeting in January 2020 and it was at the meeting that the constitution was adopted and we became a society with a formal membership.
Who Are We?
The Hapy Society was formed in the Autumn of 2019 by a group of keen amateur students of Egyptology living in West and South Yorkshire. The Horus Society, which is a very successful Egyptology Society in Wigan, provided ideas, inspiration and early support for the venture. Therefore, we see the Horus Society in Wigan as our parent Society which has provided us with our name – Hapy, the baboon god, was one of the four sons of Horus.
Professor Joann Fletcher
We were delighted when friend and renowned Egyptologist Joann Fletcher agreed to be our society’s sponsor, especially as she also has strong links with the Horus Society in Wigan.