The Journey of Ani in the Afterlife

Overview

• Ani: A real scribe from Thebes, Egypt, 13th century BCE.
• Scene from Ani's Book of the Dead, a 78-foot papyrus scroll.
• Purpose: Designed to help him attain immortality.
• Originally for Pharaohs, later for regular Egyptians to access the afterlife.

Death and Mummification

• Ani's body is mummified by priests.
• Only the heart is kept (the seat of emotion, memory, and intelligence).
• Process involves:
  • Removal of other organs.
  • Stuffing with natron (salt).
  • Wrapping in resin-soaked linen and charms for protection.
  • Heart scarab amulet is included for protection during judgment.

The Duat (Underworld)

• Description: Vast caverns, lakes of fire, magical gates, guarded by beasts (snakes, crocodiles, half-human monstrosities).
• Apep, serpent god of destruction, threatens Ani's soul.
• Ani customizes his Book of the Dead with spells and prayers tailored to his journey.

The Hall of Ma'at and Judgement

• Ani must face assessment by 42 gods of the dead.
• Negative Confessions: Ani declares sins he has not committed, such as:
  • Not making anyone cry
  • Not eavesdropping
  • Not polluting water
• The heart scarab amulet inscribed with "Do not stand as a witness against me" protects him from his past misdeeds.

Weighing of the Heart

• The heart is weighed against a pure ostrich feather.
• If heavier, Ani's heart is devoured by Ammit (a creature part crocodile, part leopard, part hippopotamus).
• Ani's heart is judged pure.

Afterlife

• Ra takes Ani to Osiris (god of the underworld) for approval to enter the afterlife.
• He meets his deceased parents in the lush field of reeds.
• Requirement: Cultivating a plot of land with assistance from a Shabti doll placed in his tomb.

Current Location

• The Papyrus of Ani resides in the British Museum since 1888.

Conclusion

• Only Ani knows the truth of his afterlife journey but his Book of the Dead allows us to visualize his eternal happiness tending his crops.