From pyramids to hieroglyphics, it is no surprise that ancient Egypt is known for its strange, unique, and specific rituals that tie into their spirituality. Many of these rituals are precise and well thought out, in order to fit into their beliefs. One of the more important activities of the Egyptians was mummification. When the word is mentioned, frightening bodies wrapped in white strips of cloth is usually the first image that comes to mind. But why did the Egyptians take the time to prepare the deceased in this way, as well as make their tombs as glamorous as they did?
Many of us were taught about the Egyptians and their culture in primary school, but these lessons were fairly superficial in terms of the beliefs and reasoning behind their rituals. The ancient Egyptians had many views on death and the afterlife, all of which they took very seriously. According to them, humans all possess two souls or “doubles”; the “ka” and the “ba.”1 Both of these “doubles” were widely celebrated at an individual’s death. However the “ka” was the spirit that was more accommodated to in the tomb because it was understood that they needed to be nurtured in order for the deceased to be accepted into heaven, as well as for the prosperity of the people.2
The “ka” was said to be the spirit most associated with the identity of the deceased. A person would have no interaction with his or her “ka” until that individual had passed. Therefore, generally everything that was done to and for the body was also done for the “ka.”3 One of the reasons the preservation of the body (mummification) was performed was so the spirit would not be alone in the tombs.4 It was believed that the “ka” could bring the body back to life. People of the community would fill the tomb with items that they believed would please the spirit.5 Usually, these items included food, wine, and incense. The physical body was cleansed, dried, and wrapped to preserve the body and prevent the “ka” from a lack of nourishment.
Although it is interesting to learn the process of mummification and how it preserves the body, it is equally as satisfying to learn about the reasoning behind it. The Egyptians had many gods and spirits that contributed to their way of life, and the “ka” is no exception. It serves a basis for a good part of the mummification process, and gives more of an understanding as to why this process is necessary. 6
- E. A. Wallis Budge, Egyptian Religion (Routledge Revivals) : Egyptian Ideas of The Future Life (London: Routledge, 2013), 34. ↵
- John H. Taylor, Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2001), 19. ↵
- Budge, Egyptian Religion, 49. ↵
- Diana Craig Patch, Reflections of Greatness : Ancient Egypt at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (Pittsburgh, Pa.: The Museum, 1990), 79. ↵
- Patch, Reflections of Greatness : Ancient Egypt at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 80. ↵
- Taylor, Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt, 16-17. ↵
53 comments
Natalia Flores
Short, but informative and articulate article. The notion that there is a dual spirituality to the soul is fascinating since modern spiritual thought (especially the three monotheistic religions) believe there is one soul per human body. The ka is the most intriguing of the two. The ka, unlike the ba, is something the living person has no contact with, thus we have to wait till death to understand the ka.
Cristina Cabello
This is a very short descriptive article but still pretty good. I like how you get right to the point with the topic of mummies. We do not learn about them that much in school. Like how what was left in their tombs besides the jars that held their organs. I find it really interesting that they left those jars. So that when they resurrect all their parts are there to help them function properly again. Overall it is a good short article.
Hector Garcia
I found this article to be unique because of its ability to describe the Egyptian mummification in more detail than most people. What I thought was really interesting was the set of beliefs that the Egyptians had pertaining to the souls. These two different souls, ka, and ba were something that caught me off guard. I felt that this was a great and exciting article. You can also see the number of details that give a clear picture of mummification.
Regina De La Parra
What an awesome article!! I have always been fascinated by the Egyptians and the construction of pyramids, mummification, and their belief in the afterlife. I really like how the Egyptians prepared for the death of their loved ones because they cared for them and truly believe in their religion and their beliefs. Overall, this was a great article! Great job Karissa!
Natalie Childs
This article was really interesting and took on a different approach to the idea of mummies than is generally read about. While I wish the author had explained what “ba” was some, the explanation of “ka” and how it relates to the after life, but how much went into preparing the body to work with it after death is incredibly interesting.
Destiny Flores
Mummification has always stood to be something that Egypt is well known for. Although through their writings and art, we have been told a majority of the ‘why’ they did it, a lot of it still remains just speculated or theorized. It’s such an interesting topic, with some extreme beliefs, and although this article was small, it held some good information!
Evian-loren Salgado
Ancient Egypt has always been interesting to me. I liked that the author went into detail explaining why the Egyptians mummified the dead. The author also talked about the Egyptians belief that every person has two should the Ka and the Ba.I liked the the author focused more on the beliefs and why people were mummified rather than focusing on the process. Overall this was a very interesting and well written article about the beliefs that follow mummification.
Kimberly Simmons
Mummification has always been an interesting concept to me. The preparation of the bodies was fascinating; the fact that they buried items with the body just emphasizes the idea that they truly believed in an afterlife. In addition, the idea that they believed in a person having two souls is interesting – I had never heard of that before. Very compelling topic!
Alexandra Cantu
Ive alway found the rituals Egyptians fascinating since they go above and beyond in the preparation of having the deceased mummified. The idea that they believe that a person has two souls and therefore put things in the casket that the deceased might like in his or her after life is beyond fascinating for me. When I read this I was surprised to know about the “ka”.
Cristina Cabello
Karissa has displayed a very informational article about the mummification. Yes I did learn about this in school and found it very interesting. Like why did the Egyptians do all these things in specific ways? As a Catholic I wonder how they came to all of these conclusions. How do they believe in these teachings. But really the thought of having two souls is outrageous! It makes me imagine what my second soul would be like if I was Egyptian.