Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Historical Rituals to Modern-Day Practices

Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Historical Rituals to Modern-Day Practices

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Mummification describes how in which the body of a corpse are preserved. This method of keeping bodies intact can occur naturally or be carried out by humans. Natural mummification occurs in certain environments, such as extreme cold, acidic bogs, or arid conditions. A notable type of intentional mummification is from Egyptian history, where corpses were wrapped in bandages to preserve their bodies and preserve the body for the journey to the afterlife.

Preserved bodies, including humans and animals, have been discovered in many parts of the world, often because of natural preservation or cultural practices. Within Egypt, in excess of a million mummified animals have been found, a significant number being cats. The process of Egyptian mummification was rich in ritual. Egyptians would extract the brain using a hook through the nasal cavity, and removed all major internal organs, keeping only the heart inside the body. This was because the heart was crucial for the afterlife rituals. The other organs were put into canopic jars, which were included in the burial.

In contemporary practices, mummification is being used differently in certain BDSM communities. Here, the idea of mummifying is used in a role-playing context, where one person, playing the role of the "slave," is bound tightly by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed to ensure oxygen flow. The wrapping materials vary from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Though the activity shares the name, in this case is focused on restraint and control and not about preserving the body.

**Conclusion**

Mummification has transformed from its origins in early death rituals to contemporary practices within BDSM subcultures. While the traditional purpose was about preserving the body for the afterlife, the modern interpretation is about control and role-play. Even though they are different, both forms of mummification demonstrate a shared human interest in mastery, whether over death or through interpersonal dynamics.