Africa: The cost of death

Interesting insight into burial rituals and community impact in Africa:

One family in Nigeria that had to bury their father seven times because he was a prominent man. This is in accordance with tradition.

Six good cows and a goat were slaughtered because the man had six male children and one female child. Each of his children had to conduct his/her own burial ceremony for their late father. This was mandatory and they would otherwise not be allowed to partake in village activities and the villagers would snub the family's future functions.

Cost of living has escalated; multiply that with the global recession and the steep poverty datum line. Poverty is a worldwide pandemic that has seen many governments come to crumble at its stronghold. There is also the issue of bogadi, which is also very expensive to an extent that a wedding has absolutely been a commoditised profit making scheme. To add salt to injury, the cost of dying is also one of those occurrences that leave the family robbed of its wealth within just a week. Insurance companies have also seized this loophole, in a sense that people pay money to subscribe for lifetime policies that will in turn assist them with funeral costs in the future. For some it's a waste of money, its true, but the rich can afford such expensive practices, so as to have prolific and dignified funerals.

Nowadays when somebody dies, the bereaved mourn not only due to the loss but the high cost of the funeral. Families come together for fund raising meetings to meet the cost of the funerals. Some even prefer that the bereaved save some money, which can be used in the event that they pass away. We put ourselves under unnecessary pressure because we are trying to meet societal 'standards' of how a funeral should be. Why spend all that money on someone who is dead when you couldn't lend them a penny when they were alive?

There are many people suffering from different diseases, some in the hospital, some at home, some of them can't even afford drugs but as soon as they are confirmed dead their funerals are turned into a celebration of sorts. In Setswana tradition when someone dies, members of that household will cook for those who come to grieve with them; neighbours, friends and extended family members contribute food and other things to lessen the burden on the bereaved family. However, people start strolling into the bereaved' house all week and expect to be fed breakfast, lunch and dinner! Some can even call you and ask you what variety of food and drinks are on offer, forgetting that death is a time for mourning and not merriment. At the funeral some people wear expensive Armani suits and come to show off their well-established city lives. It's funny when you see some scampering for food, and others taking the meat to their homes while some would even show up with their ravenously-skeletal dogs that often end up fighting and disturbing the services.

Why wasn't that money spent on the deceased while they were still alive, why do we find it hard to celebrate our loved ones while they are still alive? Some communities in the northern part of Africa have banned elaborate ceremonies during burial. One stipulates that if you must 'refresh' attendees, then it must be only tea and bread. That just goes to show how people have suffered concerning high burial costs. It's not only just a waste of money, but resources, time and energy. Just imagine the money, time and space consumed in the name of burial ceremony in most cases. The Anglican Communion in Zimbabwe dioceses has long banned expensive burials. They did it by making sure burials are done on weekdays instead of weekends so as to attract less people that will expect to eat and drink. Also dead bodies get buried within two weeks else the Church will not partake in the burial. Although the church may not have any right dictating how people should bury their loved ones, their primary responsibility is to perform the requiem ritual and go. The deceased's family can opt to bring in a philharmonic band from overseas or rent fleas to mourn their dead, it's their business and not anyone's. However, burials are moments of grief and its completely different from a wedding or birthday celebration, so I see absolutely no reason why it should be ambiguous. It should be as simple as possible, but today its a joyful moment, if there is little cash in the family they say it is shameful.

Thursday 4 April 2013

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