Compare and Contrast

Mummification
Practices of Egyptians and the Ibaloi people

Group 12:
Baal | Burgos | Castrillon | Malong | Padaen | Sigua
 Aspect Ibaloi Egypt

Washed with aromatic palm wine

Washing the Body Washed in cold water and plant materials
and Nile water

Plant mixtures and smoke for natural Embalming substances: Natron,

Preservation Method desiccation resin, and aromatic herbs

Body Position Seated on a death chair, sometimes fetal Laid flat

Removal and preservation of internal

Organs Preservation Minimal focus on internal organs
organs

External Cleansing Cold water and plant materials Aromatic palm wine and Nile water

Body Fluids Drained and preserved in canopic

Collected in a jar
Collection jars

Sun Drying Part of the process Part of the process

 Aspect Ibaloi Egypt

Smoking Part of the process (alternately) Not explicitly mentioned

Use of Preservatives Local plant mixtures, tobacco smoke Resins, natron, and aromatic substances

Sealing Openings Leaves of local plants (ears and nose) Linen (nose, mouth, ears)

Wrapping Process Layers of funerary blankets Linen, separate wrapping of body parts

Cosmetics, amulets, and semi-precious

Additional Items Head scarf, funerary blankets
gems

Duration Several months 70 days (specific time frame)

coffins usually made from hollowed

pine trees (designs vary from
Mask or Coffin geometric, anthropomorphic and/or
Painted mask or elaborate coffin (later)

zoomorphic patterns)
 Factor Ibaloi
Death Rituals
Initially, a dance (tayaw) and associated prayers or songs that are
chanted (bad-iw) for the dead are performed by the villagers
The purpose is to support the deceased in their journey to the
afterlife
The symbolism of the dance motion represents the soaring motion as
SOCIAL the spirit of the deceased is carried on wings to the mountain
Social Status
Only those from the higher societal/ancenstral stratum (leaders,
elite) are mummified
High social status = long ritual process
Deep respect for the Mountain God (Kabunian)
Respect for the dead (Belief in the soul staying within the
CULTURAL body/group, while their spirits join the gods
Prevalence of Mountains encourages the development sustainable
ENVIRONMENTAL practices and a harmonious relationship with nature
HISTORICAL Estimated time of practice spans from 1700s - 1900s
Egypt
Funeral Rites and Burial
The funeral is a public affair
“Kites of Nephtys”- women hired as professional
mourners would encourage people to grief and deliver a
speech on the brevity of life
Before the tombed is sealed, the Opening of the Mouth
Ceremony commences wherein the priest invokes Isis and
Nephthys to make the deceased ready for their journey to
the afterlife
Social Status
Everyone is mummified regardless of social status/wealth,
but the process and materials vary depending on their
social class and importance in society.
Mummy making was both a sacred process and big
business
Competition among the wealthy to display wealth could
have led to the creation of extravagant coffins and
sarcophagi
Natron Valley of the northwestern Nile Delta was rich source
of natron (substance used in the mumification process)
From Predynastic Period and
continued until Greco-Roman times
 Bibliography
Beckett, Ronald & Conlogue, Gerald & Abinion, Orlando & Salvador-Amores,
Analyn & Piombino-Mascali, Dario. (2017). Human mummification practices
among the Ibaloy of Kabayan, North Luzon, the Philippines. Papers on
Anthropology. 2. 24-37. 10.12697/poa.2017.26.2.03.

Carascal, M. B., Fontanilla, I. K. C., & de Ungria, M. C. A. (2021). The Ibaloi

fire mummies: the art and science of mummification in the Philippines.
Jinruigaku Zasshi [Anthropological Science], 129(2), 197–202.
https://doi.org/10.1537/ase.210422

Mark, J. (2017, February 14). Mummification in Ancient Egypt. World History

Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/44/mummification-in-
ancient-egypt/

Montgomery, S.L., & Kumar, A. (2015). A History of Science in World

Cultures: Voices of Knowledge (1st ed.). Routledge.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315694269