shawabti

Noun

ushabti (plural ushabtiu or ushabtis)

1. In Ancient Egypt, a figurine of a dead person, placed in their tomb to do their work for them in the afterlife.
   • These little images were called in Egyptian “Ushabti,” or “Respondents,” and were in fact supposed to act as servants of the deceased, it being their duty to answer for him and serve as his substitutes when called upon to do labourer's work [...].1886 September 1, The Times, p.13 col. A