If you find this sort of quirky ( by Western European standards ) behaviour interesting, then I highly recommend The Naked Eye and Known Unknowns by Charles Saatchi.

The self mummification is one of his short essays.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Naked-Eye-Charles-Saatchi/dp/186...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Known-Unknowns-Charles-Saatchi/dp/18...