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Breed Info: Myths and Theories
History | Myths and Theories | Characteristics | Temperment | Health and Wellness | Colors | Grooming
The Abyssinian may be one of the oldest breeds of domesticated cats, but like so many breeds, its exact origin is still a mystery.
The most widespread theory about the history of the Abyssinian cat breed is the ancient Egyptian ancestry. Aptly known as “the child of the gods”, many believe that the Abyssinian is a direct descendant of the sacred cat that Egyptians once worshipped. There are still many gaps in the history of the Abyssinian and many questions have been raised as to their origins as their pedigree. The resemblance of the Abyssinian when compared to Egyptian artifacts and cat tombs is remarkable. When a cat died, its body was embalmed, bound in linen and placed in an exquisitely decorated mummy case. They were then buried or entombed in the consecrated areas near the Temple of Bastet. A mesmerizing collection of these mummy collections can be found today in the British Museum in England.
The ancient Egyptians worship cats as they considered them the special animal of the Goddess Bastet, the goddess of both love and war, who was believed to have appeared on earth as a cat. thus giving cats the highest honor of esteem. Bastet or Bast was often depicted in ancient paintings as a slender, cat-headed woman, in a long sheath dress, holding in her right hand a sistrum, on her left arm a basket and at her feet several kittens. The Abyssinians now in existence bears a striking resemblance, in both manner and appearance to this Cat Goddess of Egypt. Abyssinians to this day have retained the wild look of the African Wildcat (felis lybica) an ancestor of all domestic cats.
The Abyssinians we know today closely resemble those bronze statues and enthralling paintings of these ancient Egyptian cats, and many believe that there is little doubt that the Abyssinian is a direct descendant from them. The ancient features such as the large ears, slanted eyes and elegant composure are nearly identical to the cat we know today as the Abyssinian.
Another popular theory is that a selective breeding of British cats created the Abyssinian breed. Around 1900 there were some “differences of opinions” in the English Cat Fancy. Some claim that the Abyssinians was actually bred from native British cats. The thought is that English breeders who crossed silver and brown tabbies with the British ticked “Bunny” cat created the Abyssinian.
Others feel that the origin of the Abyssinian can be found at the coast of the Indian Ocean and parts of Southeast Asia.