For this ethnographic research essay I chose to write about the customs and traditions of death in Guyana. This country was chosen for this essay because when I visited there in winter recess a death had occurred. Guyana is a small country in South America neighboring Brazil and Venezuela in which I grew up in. Guyana is the only South American country that speaks English because it was colonized by Great Britain. Like many countries Guyana has many customs and traditions that are followed by the citizens such as “nine nights”. Nine nights is defined as the ninth night following a burial, after which the spirit of the dead person is believed finally to rest; the culmination or main focus of the nine night celebration. When it comes to death
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Marilyn Griffith: While driving to the cemetery the dead has to be the last to arrive because you should never follow the dead the dead should follow you. If you follow the dead it is your calling to die soon.
Interviewer: Why do you believe in these superstitions about death?
Marilyn Griffith: When I was younger I was told all these stories about when someone dies from my mother and attending funerals and wake I saw what people did, so I just followed along with everyone. I do not know why I believe in them I just do, maybe it’s because I grew up hearing about them.
Based on what I observed the way Guyanese people have many different ways in which they deal with death. Majority of the people in Guyana follow old superstition, customs and traditions. Even thought they follow these traditions some people have different ways in doing it. For example when someone dies in the house after the body is removed the house is completely disinfected so that spirits would not be drawn to house and people in it. While some people would wait four to five (4-5) days before even cleaning house. Majority of these traditions are followed by Christians only a few Muslims and Hindus follow
Marilyn Griffith: While driving to the cemetery the dead has to be the last to arrive because you should never follow the dead the dead should follow you. If you follow the dead it is your calling to die soon.
Interviewer: Why do you believe in these superstitions about death?
Marilyn Griffith: When I was younger I was told all these stories about when someone dies from my mother and attending funerals and wake I saw what people did, so I just followed along with everyone. I do not know why I believe in them I just do, maybe it’s because I grew up hearing about them.
Based on what I observed the way Guyanese people have many different ways in which they deal with death. Majority of the people in Guyana follow old superstition, customs and traditions. Even thought they follow these traditions some people have different ways in doing it. For example when someone dies in the house after the body is removed the house is completely disinfected so that spirits would not be drawn to house and people in it. While some people would wait four to five (4-5) days before even cleaning house. Majority of these traditions are followed by Christians only a few Muslims and Hindus follow