Ushabtis were small funerary figurines placed in ancient Egyptian tombs. They were believed to magically come to life and perform labor on behalf of the deceased in the afterlife.
If the deceased was called upon to perform work in the next world, an ushabti could be summoned to carry out the task instead. Their name is generally understood to mean “the one who answers,” reflecting their role as servants who responded when called upon.
Many ushabtis were inscribed with magical texts that instructed them to perform work on behalf of the deceased. Their inscriptions often included a response such as “Here I am,” symbolizing their readiness to serve.
When did ushabtis first appear?
The earliest known ushabtis date to the Middle Kingdom, when these figurines began to appear as part of Egyptian funerary practices. Their use became increasingly widespread over the following centuries, and they eventually became a common type of tomb equipment.
Ushabtis were primarily associated with funerary beliefs, although similar figurines could also have votive functions.
During the New Kingdom and later periods, it became common for wealthy individuals to have large numbers of ushabtis placed in their tombs. Some burials contained hundreds of these figurines.
In certain cases, there could be 365 ushabtis—one for each day of the year. Additional figures could serve as overseers, creating a miniature workforce intended to carry out agricultural and other forms of labor for the deceased.
What did ushabtis look like?
Ushabtis were produced in many different styles and varied considerably in quality and size. Their appearance could be influenced by the period in which they were made, contemporary fashions, the intended function of the figurine, and the resources available to its owner.
They were made from a variety of materials, including wood, stone, faience, and glass. Some were also produced from other materials, including metal. Egyptian faience, particularly in blue and green tones, became strongly associated with ushabtis.
Their size varied greatly. Some were only a few centimeters tall, while others were more than half a meter in height.
The most familiar type depicts the ushabti in mummiform, wrapped in a shroud with the arms crossed over the chest and the feet together. Many hold agricultural implements such as hoes, indicating their role as workers in the afterlife.
Some ushabtis were depicted differently, however. Instead of the usual mummiform appearance, certain examples wear elaborate clothing or other forms of dress.
Small hoes, baskets, and other agricultural tools could also be represented on the figurines. Ushabtis were sometimes stored inside specially made boxes, particularly when large numbers were deposited in a tomb.
What did the inscriptions on ushabtis mean?
Not every ushabti carries an inscription, but many were inscribed with texts intended to activate or define their magical role.
The standard text is derived from Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead, traditionally known as the “Formula for an Ushabti to Do Work in the Realm of the Dead.” The spell identifies the deceased and commands the ushabti to undertake labor when called upon.
A translation of the formula by Paul Barguet reads, in part:
“O this ushabti of N, if I am called upon to do any work which is done in the realm of the dead … ‘Here I am,’ you shall say.”
The text goes on to describe tasks such as cultivating fields, irrigating land, and transporting sand.
Through this magical formula, the ushabti was transformed from a simple figurine into a substitute worker who could answer the summons of the deceased and perform the labor expected of them in the afterlife.
Translation: Paul Barguet, Le Livre des morts des anciens Égyptiens.
