Bunch of knotted fibre used for ritual washing of the dead

Bunch of knotted fibre, used for washing dead Bunch of knotted fibre, used for washing dead

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Bunch of knotted fibre, used for washing dead
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Bunch of knotted fibre, used for washing dead
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Bunch of knotted fibre, used for washing dead, from Constantinople, Turkish, 1901-1929

The dead were washed using this bunch of knotted fibre. It originates from Constantinople, now Istanbul, in Turkey. Many cultures have special rituals for preparing the dead for cremation or burial. Washing the body is obligatory in Islamic cultures, where it is washed more than once – perhaps three, five or seven times. The number is always an odd number.

Details

Category:
Ethnography and Folk Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A6069
Materials:
fibre
Measurements:
overall: .029 kg
type:
brush
credit:
Drug Bazaar