Paper Mache Egyptian Hippos
by Jack McGovern
Walnut Street Elementary School
Toms River, New Jersey
Lesson adapted from the book: Crafts From the Past: Ancient Egyptians by Gillian Chapman
The Ancient Egyptians made connections between animals and their religion. Male hippos were considered a bad omen because they were associated with the evil god Seth. In ancient Egypt, hippos were feared because they damaged crops and posed a threat to fisherman. People who hunted hippos with spears were considered brave. Small hippo statues were often placed in tombs for the dead to hunt in the afterlife.
Materials: Newspaper, tape, cardboard scraps, scissors, paints, brushes, newspaper, 4 small pieces of cardboard tube, white glue.
- Roll newspaper into shapes for body and head and tape together to make an armature for the hippo.
- Stuff 4 pieces of cardboard tube with news and tape to body.
- Check to make sure hippo stands up
- Cut 2 cardboard ear-shapes and tape them to the head.
- Completely cover the hippo with several layers of small pieces of newspaper using glue diluted with water.
- Make sure there are no gaps and the surface is smooth.
- Paint with tempera and add a layer of varnish or polymer gloss to protect the painting.