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In Egyptian mythology,
Babi was the deification of the baboon, one of the main animals
present in Egypt, and it is thought that from his name we get
the word baboon. His name is usually translated as Bull of the
baboons, and roughly means Alpha male of all baboons, i.e. chief
of the baboons. Since Baboons exhibit many human characteristics,
it was believed in early times, at least since the Predynastic
Period, that they were deceased ancestors. In particular, the
alpha males were identified as deceased rulers, referred to
as the great white one (Hez-ur in Egyptian), since Hamadryas
baboon (the species prevalent in Egypt) alpha males have a notable
light grey streak. For example, Narmer is depicted in some images
as having transformed into a baboon.
Since baboons were considered to be the dead, Babi was viewed
as an underworld deity. Baboons are extremely agressive, and
carnivorous, and so Babi was viewed as being very bloodthirsty,
and living on entrails. Consequently, he was viewed as devouring
the souls of the unrighteous after they had been weighed against
Ma'at (the concept of truth/order), and was thus said to stand
by a lake of fire, representing destruction. Since this judging
of righteousness was an important part of the underworld,
Babi was said to be the first born son of Osiris,
the god of the dead amongst the same areas as Babi was believed
in.
Baboons also have noticeably high sex drives, in addition
to their high level of genital marking, and so Babi was considered
the god of virility of the dead. He was usually portrayed
with an erection, and due to the association with the judging
of souls, was sometimes depicted as using it as the mast of
the ferry which conveyed the righteous to Aaru,
a series of islands. Babi was also prayed to, in order to
ensure that an individual would not suffer from impotence
after death.
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and Goddesses Menu
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