This is a shabti. It’s sometimes called a ushabti. It’s a clay figure that was buried with people in ancient Egypt.

Shabtis were really popular. Lots of them were buried in tombs Shabtis were really popular. Lots of them were buried in tombs. I mean, a LOT of shabtis were buried in tombs.

Shabtis were figures of specific people. The name of the person was written in a cartouche. See it?

Important Egyptians were often buried with their servants Important Egyptians were often buried with their servants. They thought that servants would continue to work for the them in the afterlife. So the Egyptians decided that burying a clay figure of a person was just as good as burying a real, dead person. But too many servants were dying.

Shabtis weren’t just figures of servants, though Shabtis weren’t just figures of servants, though. Important people like pharaohs had shabtis too. That way, shabtis could do the work so the real person (dead or alive) didn’t have to. After all, ancient Egyptians wanted to relax in the afterlife, not work. The shabtis were given specific chores to do.

If Ms. Hartman be decreed to do the dishes, I Shabti, will do it. You’re going to make your own shabti so that you don’t have to do chores in the afterlife. You’re welcome. Write your name in hieroglyphics on the shabti. Color it, draw your face, and make it pretty. Write the instructions: Oh Shabti! If my owner Ms. Hartman is asked to do any work which a person does, such as the dishes, “here I am” you shall say! Option 1: Oh Shabti! If my owner (name) is asked to do any work which a person does, such as (job/work), “here I am” you shall say! Option 2: If (name) be decreed to (job/work), I, Shabti, will do it. If Ms. Hartman be decreed to do the dishes, I Shabti, will do it. 4. Cut out your shabti.