‘All men are mortal’ and how the dead are buried is mostly determined by their cultural beliefs and/or their religion.
Funeral rites, are quite riveting and are often associated with mystery and fear. These rites touch on something very fundamental to human nature in line with how people view the afterlife.
From the (in)famous dancing with the coffin in Ghana, to ‘designer’ caskets in New-Zealand to burying people in their sitting positions. Here’s a look at how people bury their loved ones.
Buried while seated
The Balunda clan in Kenya buries the dead in their sitting positions. Balunda are among the Bukusu sub tribe whose primary residence is in Bungoma and spreads to other lower parts of Busia, Kakamega and Trans Nzoia Counties.
As reported by NTV, this unique cultural practice dates back to their leader ‘Mulunda’ who had gone for grazing.
Later in the evening, the cattle returned but the old man did not. The villagers begun their search only to find him dead on an anthill. This leaders children and friends decided to bury him in his death position- he was buried seated.
Cave burying in Hawaii
In Hawaii (U.S.A) there are burial caves in every island. It was believed that the bones of the dead hold a divine power and thus people would for hunting in these caves in search for treasures. In some caves, the bodies were buried in the fetal position.
Coffin dancers in Ghana
Early 2020, a video of people dancing with a coffin went viral after it was shared by (mostly) TikTok users as a meme.
Paired with a 2010 EDM song, the video was mostly added to the end of a video as a punchline after an epic fail. The ‘unconventional’ funeral ceremony turned into everyone’s dose of laughter is one of the burial rituals in Ghana.
Usually, pallbearers are a group of four to six men. Traditionally, they came out to dance with white hand gloves and uniformly dressed amid the sorrowful moments.
This practice aim to lift the mourners’ spirits and send off loved ones to the journey of no return in style. Basically, ‘one last dance’
(Ma’nene) done by the Toraja in Indonesia
The Toraja people of Indonesia known for safeguard local people’s unique way of life trreat their dead totally different. They offer cigarettes and feed them before they are buried.
Three years after the burial, they then conduct a custom known as ma’nene. This is where the dead is removed from the grave, cleaned and dressed in different garments.
The relatives get to even take photos with the dead. Ma’nene isn’t about death, it is a festival of adoration that goes past mortality.
‘Designer’ coffins in New-Zealand
A post AP reported how New-Zealand colorful coffins lightens mourners mood in a funeral. This is prompted by immense change in the tone of funerals in the country.
A funeral is no longer viewed as mourning the dead but celebration of the deceased life.
The design can be a floral designed casket or a cream doughnut shaped if you so wish.
A cream doughnut shaped coffin for the funeral of Phil McLean outside a church in Tauranga, New Zealand.
PHOTO: COURTESY
