Alexandria Wyckoff
While Ancient Egypt may be widely known for its huge pyramids, monumental temples, and achievements in art and science, the Egyptians also prized a rich cultural heritage. Egyptians had numerous rituals that were integral to daily life and their relationship with the gods they served. Some of these rituals may be a little unusual; others are downright disturbing to us today. Keep reading to explore six of these bizarre Egyptian rituals, including mummification and animal sacrifices.
6. Reverence for Dwarfs/Dwarfism
Starting our list of bizarre Egyptian rituals is their reverence for dwarfs. Egyptians placed dwarfs in a unique and respected position within society. They often held large roles in royal courts, families of pharaohs, and society as a whole. They were not only valuable for their skills, but also identified with certain gods, turning into a symbol of protection and divine qualities for the Egyptians.
5. Ritual Animal Sacrifices
Fifth on our list of bizarre Egyptian rituals is sacrificing animals. There were several sacred animal cults among the Egyptians, and sacrificing animals was a huge part of that. The groups would raise animals, selecting a certain few to be sacrificed. They would be adorned, purified, and ritually sacrificed for many reasons. This included appeasing the gods, ensuring future protection, and bringing prosperity to their people. Records of animal mummification give a glimpse into how significant this ritual was to Egyptian society.
4. Ritual of the Sacred Bull Apis
Next on our list of bizarre Egyptian rituals is the Ritual of the Sacred Bull Apis. While all types of animals were sacrificed, some stood above others, including bulls. One of their most unusual rituals centered on the Apis bull, an animal believed to be the manifestation of the god Ptah. A bull was selected based on its appearance and underwent a series of rituals to confirm it was a divine representative. Then, the bull was kept in a temple and treated as a living god, given offerings, and venerated by priests. When the bull died, it was mummified, and a new bull was chosen to replace it.
3. Servants Accompany Masters in Afterlife
Rounding out the top three bizarre Egyptian rituals is the practice of burying servants alive with their masters. It’s also known as retainer sacrifice. The practice was to ensure those who died had everything they needed in the afterlife, and in the case of pharaohs or masters, this included servants. However, the practice changed over time, with figurines replacing human sacrifices in the tombs.
2. Mummification Process
Second on our list of bizarre Egyptian rituals is the mummification process. One of the most famous and unusual rituals for the Egyptians, the practice of embalming and preserving the body was based on the belief that the body needed to be intact to carry the soul to the next world. The deceased’s organs were removed, placed in canopic jars, and the body was dried with natron salt before being wrapped in linen bandages.
1. Opening of the Mouth Ritual
Last but not least on our list of bizarre Egyptian rituals is the Opening of the Mouth. The ceremony was performed on statues of gods, pharaohs, and the deceased to restore the ability to eat, speak, and breathe in the afterlife. A priest would take special tools to “open” the mouth and eyes of the deceased’s statue or mummy, allowing the spirit to communicate with the gods and partake in the sustenance of the afterlife.