Der Tod im Leben

The aim of the present richly illustrated volume is to suggest possible connections between modern Egyptian customs in connection with death and ancient Egyptian religious concepts. The first part of the work is based on the results of extensive communicative research carried out in over 50 locations in various regions of Egypt. The account of all the traditions and phenomena from the moment of death up to the end of the period of mourning also includes the description of the different grave types and cemeteries, as well as the translation and analysis of a number of gravestone inscriptions, recitations during the washing of the dead and lamentations. Since death as part of the total cycle of life is directly connected to sexuality and birth, account is also taken of a number of magical practices for acquiring fertility, and of those intended to counteract the negative influence of evil powers and spirits on the living. After a brief excursion on the cult of graves and sacrifices around Moslem saints, the second part of this study deals with the issue of the ancient Egyptian cult of the dead and burial rituals as a basis for a comparison, the individual thematic sections (grave architecture, burial procession, mourning rights, dance of death) each being followed by a chapter directly comparing the old and the new customs.