Step 6 of 11

Funerary Procession

Related Images

  • Fig. 2 - Stela of Djedamuniuefankh - Cairo Museum – [TR 25.12.24.20](http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/43205183)
  • Fig. 3 - Stela of Neferabu - British Museum - [EA 150](https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/image/807539001)
  • Fig. 4 - Bottom fragment of the stela of Neferabu - British Museum - [EA 1754](https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/image/1345493001)

On the base of this stela you see something very special: a depiction of a funerary procession. At the center of the base is a depiction of a tomb, and on both sides people are walking towards the tomb. Such funerary scenes are usually reserved for tomb walls, not stelas. Perhaps Ipu did not have a big tomb where he could depict a funerary procession, and thus used his stela to do so. Other rare instances of funerary scenes depicted on stelas can be seen in Figure 2 from the 22nd dynasty (ca. 943-746 BC), and Figures 3 and 4, which belong together and are from the same stela of the 19th dynasty (ca. 1292-1191 BC).

A high-end funeral in ancient Egypt was an organized ceremony that consisted of many rituals.See E. Ghaly, O. Ibrahim, ‘The Funerary Procession Scenes at Private Scenes at Private Tombs of Post-Amarna Period in Thebes and Memphis’, International Journal of Heritage, Tourism and Hospitality Vol. 11, No. 1/2 (March 2017), 159. Primarily the family of the deceased, but also friends and servants, could be depicted as active participants in the various stages of the funeral. Among the rituals performed were the procession, the moving of funerary furniture, libations, and mourning and lamenting. Most of these are depicted in this funerary scene. Such rituals were used as a way to bring a sense of order to the community, counteracting the disruption caused by the death of a loved one.See N. Harrington, ‘Times of Interaction between the Living and the Dead: Funerals, Festivals, and Banquets’, in Living with the Dead. Ancestor Worship and Mortuary Ritual in Ancient Egypt (Oxford, 2013), 109.

Despite the small size of the hieroglyphs in this part of the stela, it is possible to understand most of what is written. First, there are the names of all the participants in the procession, which are preceded with either the title brother or sister, probably referring to Ipu’s friends. Then, there is the text on either side of the tomb. It includes a request for a beautiful burial for Ipu, as well as happiness for him and all the good and pure things.