Shawabti

myminifactory

The ushabti figurine, often referred to as a shabti or shawabti, played a crucial role in ancient Egyptian funerary practices. These small statues were deliberately placed within tombs alongside other grave goods and were specifically designed to serve as loyal attendants for the deceased individual. In the event that the deceased was called upon to perform manual labor during their afterlife journey, ushabtis would step forward to assist, equipped with the necessary tools to farm and maintain the deceased's estate. Typically, hieroglyphic inscriptions were etched onto the statues' legs, boldly declaring the ushabti's eagerness to respond to divine summons and engage in hard labor.