The Mastaba of Raemkai

The two dogs are unmistakably basenji. Not only do they have all of the physical characteristics of the breed, but they also hunt in typical basenji fashion—pulling down the prey either by grabbing the neck or yanking a back leg.

Notice the three hieroglyphs above each dog: the owl, the tethering rope, and the door bolt. These three hieroglyphs form the sounds for tsm, or dog. The tethering rope represents t, the door bolt beneath it represents z, and the owl represents m.

Because the faces of the carvings and the hieroglyphs are pointing right, one must read from right to left, or into the faces. [See the hieroglyphic section of this site for more information.]

Even though hunting with basenjis is a fast-paced and violent activity, notice that the scene has a very relaxed atmosphere. The rabbit above the first dog, for example, is sitting quietly; no look of terror or muscles poised to bolt are evident.

Dorothea Arnold, a curator for the Department of Egyptian Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, makes this note about the scene:

The lack of fright, or even agitation, among the creatures ... stems from an ancient Egyptian preference for depictions of tranquil, even paradisal conditions.