Duamutef “God of Stomach Guardian” Duamutef is one of the four sons of Horus, also known as the “Protectors of the Canopic Jars”. In ancient Egyptian mythology, Duamutef was responsible for guarding the stomach of the deceased in their journey to the afterlife. His name means “He Who adores His Mother”. Duamutef is depicted as a mummified man with the head of a jackal, similar to the god Anubis. He is commonly shown standing or sitting in front of a canopic jar, holding a jar or a knife. He was also associated with the protection of the liver and the gallbladder.

Mythology In Egyptian mythology, the dead were believed to undergo a journey through the afterlife. During this journey, their organs were removed and stored in four canopic jars, which were then placed in the tomb with the mummified body. Duamutef was responsible for guarding the stomach of the deceased in the afterlife, ensuring that it would not be harmed or destroyed. Duamutef was also associated with the god Osiris, who was the ruler of the underworld. In some depictions, Duamutef was shown as a companion of Osiris on his journey through the afterlife. As a member of the four sons of Horus, Duamutef was also believed to be a guardian of the four cardinal points of the compass.

Origin is first mentioned in the Pyramid Texts, the earliest ancient Egyptian funerary texts, in the late Old Kingdom (24th and 23rd centuries BC).In numerous sources, such as Spell 541 of the Pyramid Texts, they are stated to be the children of Horus, one of the major deities of the Egyptian pantheon. In a few of these texts they are instead called the children of the god Atum, the god Geb, or the goddess Nut.

Overall, Duamutef was an important god in ancient Egyptian mythology, responsible for protecting the internal organs of the dead in the afterlife. His role as a protector of the stomach and liver highlights the importance of food and health in the afterlife beliefs of the Egyptians.