What are African funerals like?
The day of the funeral there is usually a procession to the burial site, sometimes before sunrise, with singing and dancing. Many bury their dead on family land and the plot may be near the house but not on planting fields, believing crops won’t grow, according to the Encyclopedia of African Religions.
What are Zulu rituals?
Zulu dances, a reflection of societal beliefs and warrior traditions. Drums are an essential part of Zulu celebrations, usually accompanied by dancing and chanting. The ingungu drum finds use in every traditional ritual and celebration, be it the onset of womanhood or a marriage ceremony.
How did the Zulu traditionally view death?
Burials Like many cultures, the Zulu people believe that life doesn’t end with death but continues in the spiritual world. Death is seen as a person’s deeper connection with all creation. Every person who dies within the Zulu tribe must be buried the traditional way.
How do African cultures view death?
Africans ordinarily do not encourage the contemplation of death or any discussion about their own or their loved ones’ death. According to the African belief system, life does not end with death, but continues in another realm.
How long do African funerals last?
Before mortuaries became popular in this country, we buried our dead within two to three days and then set a date for the final funeral rites. Now the regular period in which a dead body is kept in the mortuary before being buried ranges from three to six months.
What do they do to a dead body before a funeral?
To embalm the body, they inject preservative chemicals into the circulatory system. Using a special machine, the blood is removed and replaced with the embalming fluid. Refrigeration can also preserve the body, but it’s not always available. If it’s necessary to transport unembalmed remains, they may be packed in ice.
What should a black person wear to a funeral?
When it comes to funerals, most people expect to wear black. Dark colors show deference to the family and sorrow over the loss. Gray, navy blue, and brown tones are all considered appropriate for memorials—but what about white?
Do you have to wear all black to a funeral?
Because a funeral is a somber occasion, it is. You don’t have to wear all black, but it is acceptable to do so. You will probably want to avoid a bright floral dress or wild print or neon necktie, unless the family of the deceased asks you to.
Who sits in the front row at a funeral?
At many funerals, relatives of the deceased sit on the right side. Friends, acquaintances, co-workers, and others typically sit on the left. The front rows are reserved for close relatives.
Is it rude to smile at a funeral?
It’s OK to laugh and smile A funeral doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. In fact, more and more people are accepting funerals as celebrations of life rather than somber affairs. Although there are times to be solemn, “humor is a powerful thing,” Cunningham says.
Is it rude to bring a baby to a funeral?
Bringing a baby to a funeral is likely to simply cause a distraction. However, there are two exceptions: If the deceased did not have a chance to meet the baby, he or she may have requested the little one’s attendance prior to departing. In most cases, it’s best to honor the wishes of the deceased.
Should a 7 year old go to a funeral?
As a general guideline, children should be allowed to attend a wake, funeral and burial if they want to. Children should never be forced to attend a funeral or memorial service. It is important, however, to understand a child’s reasons for not wanting to attend so that their fears or questions can be addressed.
Should a 8 year old go to a funeral?
There is no right or wrong answer. But offering your child the option to go is one opportunity for them to say ‘goodbye’ to a special person. But most children have a full understanding of death by the time they are about 8-10 years old and many younger children will have enough understanding to go to the funeral.
At what age is it appropriate to bring a child to a funeral?
By age 7 or so, most children understand the permanence of death. A school-age child is also old enough to attend a funeral, but only if he wants to. Give your child the choice of whether he wants to go or not, without any pressure or coercion to go, Markham advised.