Ch.+13+Funerals

Aidan Welsh Nov 4th Period 3

Funerals

Funerals in Africa are a very ritualistic process. Belief’s on Death varies throughout Africa. In many places in East Africa they consider Death to be the final step in the cycle of life. But in West Africa beliefs of reincarnation (Being born into another life) are the common belief. In Africa funerals are an expensive affair, commonly two funerals are held and a great supply of food and decorations must be bought for each event. Among these decorations are small ornaments designed for coffins in East Africa and Fancy animal-shaped coffins in West Africa. The ceremony is one characteristic that greatly varies in Africa. For example in West Africa relatives are buried in the floor of their family’s living area and it is only acceptable for the females of the given family to morn during the ceremony. In East Africa relatives bodies are left to decay in the arid climate of africa for five days and then buried. Funerals specific to the Igbo are a very formal and strict process with many laws backed with heavy fines for violators of these rules. For example: If your death occurs anytime between December and January your death is considered shameful and your body is tossed in a bush for a year. Funerals must be carried out if the body is to be buried and two weeks after the said death. Firing cannons and guns is acceptable but if any number more then 21 shots is fired there is a heavy fine. Microphones are prohibited in funerals, as is any form of trade. Gifts are allowed but it is illegal to present an animal during the funeral. Uniforms of red and white must be worn by relatives who face a heavy fine if they do not buy the uniform that few African families can afford. When the ceremony is accounted for funerals are extremely expensive and seem almost more of a hardship to Africans then they may be worth. Funeral Masks Such as these are worn at funerals by immediate family members of the deceased media type="youtube" key="C-gD5c6qYMY" height="344" width="425"

If you like to research Igbo Funerals further then this website provides some useful information: http://www.oraifite.com/culture-and-traditions/funeral-ceremony.php

Youtube for video. "Funeral - African funerals." //Global Oneness - The meeting place for Cultural Creatives - Articles, News, Community, Forums, Travel & Events and much more//. Web. 04 Nov. 2009. . "Funeral - African funerals." //Spiritus-Temporis.com - Historical Events, Latest News, News Archives//. Web. 04 Nov. 2009. . "Funeral -." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. Web. 04 Nov. 2009. . "Igbo Funeral Ceremony Of Oraifite." Web. .