These are a few pages about the annual Passion Plays of Wesir (Gr: Osiris), which were celebrated at Abdydos in Upper Egypt since the 12th Dynasty. You will find some info about the site itself, some of what we know of how the Mysteries were played out, and the myths about the rivalry between Wesir and Set, his spouse Aset and their son Heru.
Heru pours purifying water over Wesir
Celebration of the Mysteries
Would that I could see the Opener of the Ways in his first procession when he gleams as a god... and Heru the vigorous, who gladdens the people as he passes along the canals leading to the Great Hall
Stela at Abedjou
The Passion Plays of Wesir at Abedjou were held in the last month of the inundation, and included eight acts. The exact procedures of them are largely unknown. It is believed that there were great celebrations among people combined with secluded, sacred rituals performed by the priesthood inside the temple. Part of these rites were public however, and the processions whiche emerged from the temple were attended by the masses.
Thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the Two Lands assembled yearly at Abedjou near the great temple to celebrate together the mysteries. It is believed people in the town acted out the murder of Wesir by Set, Asetīs sorrow and anger, her wanderings together with her sister Nebt-Het, to find her dead husband, the funeral and, finally, his resurrection and becoming the Lord of the Dead.
Inside the temple enclosure, secluded rituals was performed, with the priests and godservants playing the parts of the different gods, and occasionally with PerīA a himself partaking. They went back thousands of years, tradition bringing the sense of stability and eternity.
They focussed on the resurrection of Wesir and how he became the ruler of the kingdom of the deceased, i.e. the Field of Reeds, where the dead lived the same life as on earth. This was made possible thanks to the kingship of Wesir, and so the deed of Set was turned into benefit for all humans instead of remaining an evil murder of a brother.
The Stela of Ikhernofret
Some information of these proceedings can be gleaned from a Middle Kingdom stela, which describes how a high official by name of Ikhernofret gets the task by the king to organize the Festival processions.
The First Day - The Procession of Wepwawet:
Wepwawet opens the way. The enemies of Wesir is struck down. It seems here were staged an assault by the gang of Set, which was to be struck down, either by priests or by pilgrims playing the followers of Wesir. The jackal-god Wepwawet is the one walking foremost in all royal processions and concquests, and goes by the name of 'Opener of the Way'. In this context he opeens the path for Wesir to gain access to the tomb.
The Second Day - The Great Procession of Wesir
The deceased Wesir is carried on a bark called Neshmet, and taken from his temple to his tomb. The procession moves through the surrounding cemetery grounds to the tomb out in the desert (the Osireion). The Lamentations of Aset and Nebt-Het are performed along with it.
The Night of Vigil.
During this nightīs reenactment, the enemies of Wesir-Wennofer are slain on the banks of Nedyet and the night ends with the trial of Set before the Divine Tribunal.
The Third Day - Wesir is reborn
The god was reborn at dawn and crowned with the crown of Ma'at. The statue of Wesir on the Neshmet bark is taken on board a boat and sailed on the Nile back in triumph to his temple followed by the jubilant masses. Purifications and reinstalment of the god in his House followed before the rites were concluded. This part was not open to the public.
Inside the temple enclosure secluded rituals were performed, with the priests and godservants playing the parts of the different deities, and occasionally with PerīA a himself partaking. They went back thousands of years, tradition bringing the sense of stability and eternity.
When the festival was concluded, the pilgrims usually offered something to the god, maybe dried alluvium, a small statuette, even a shrine or, if they were rich or kings, an entire temple.
Many pilgrims also had stela erected on the grounds or at the uter precincts of the temple to be able to witness the Mysteries also after they themselves had Gone West:
I would be among the crowd following Wesir when he appears in his final form, praising the god and singing in adoration of the beauty of the Neshmet Barque, fetching the rudder for the boat and honouring the Great God
Ways of celebrating
Festivities Outside the Temple
There were different ways of celebrating; on the great annual festivals, masses of pilgrims from all parts of the Two Lands assembled by the great temple to celebrate together these Passion Plays; the confrontation between Wesir and Seth, the god being slain by his own brother, Asetīs sorrow and anger, her wanderings together with her sister Nebt-Het, to find her dead husband, the funeral and, finally, his resurrection and becoming the Lord of the Dead. (The story of the dismemberment didnīt enter the picture until the Late Period, when Plutarch set it down)
These Passion Plays, or Mystery Plays were acted out outside of the temple, in the village or town and involved all inhabitants as well as visiting pilgrims. Needless to say that it probably could become quite intense at times.
After the Festival of Wesir had come to a close, the pilgrims usually offered something to the god, maybe dried alluvium, a small statuette, even a shrine or, if they were rich or kings, an entire temple.
Passion Rituals Inside the Temple
Inside the temple enclosure secluded rituals were performed, of which much is unknown to us. Probably the priesthood acted the parts of the different gods, and occasionally with PerīA a himself partaking. These rituals went back thousands of years, tradition bringing a sense of stability and eternity, and the conviction that the Two Lands would endure.
