Despite the fact that there exists divergence in the traditions concerning death among Africans, these customs seem to have common destiny. Actually, among all Africans, life does not ultimately end with death in the fact that it is believed to continue in another world. This paper purposes at critically evaluating and demonstrating beliefs, customs and rituals based on the death, mourning and the burial of the dead person. It will also analyse how memorization of the dead is actually taken overtime. In addition, it will demonstrate the belief among African individuals founded on the afterlife.
Keywords: Afterlife, Customs and Beliefs
African Death Rituals
As claimed by Harry (1996), despite the fact that death is dreaded aspect, …show more content…
In this case, the dead individuals are perceived to be close to the Supreme Being as compared to the living individuals, the primary aspect of bliss in the great past depicted in the creation myth conception is not restored based on the afterlife. The alienation amid the Supreme Being and the humankind persists to be natural and unavoidable in the location of the departed despite the fact that the dead have ability of resting there and ensure safety. Large number of African individuals has their customs that there exist rewards and punishments for individuals in the present living as opposed to hereafter living. In the location of the departed, there occurs what takes place automatically despite of the individual’s earthly conduct; based on the truth that proper funeral is administered. If in other cases the individual is wizard, or an evil doer like a murderer, individual who has broken the society activities, or ones who had unnatural loss of life, or incorrect burial, all these individuals are conceived to receive punishment in the hereafter living and probably become wandering ghost. “Additionally, it is believed these individuals may be tortured by the ancestors and expelled in order to pay for their misdeeds committed while they were alive (Mbiti & John 1969)”. Amid numerous African individuals …show more content…
Based on this, various activities are administered to precede the funeral with a view of offering comport, support and recovery for the hurtled ones. This is to reinforce transition to normal operation administering smooth and quick heal to the affected one. This kind of transitions in the period of mourning is from time to time followed by cleansing rituals whereby the bereaved receive surety of admission and safeguard provided by God. Based on the fact that the dominance of Islam and that of Christians has effected in the denial of various mourning customs, the burial or funeral serves as an aspect of declaring
Keywords: Afterlife, Customs and Beliefs
African Death Rituals
As claimed by Harry (1996), despite the fact that death is dreaded aspect, …show more content…
In this case, the dead individuals are perceived to be close to the Supreme Being as compared to the living individuals, the primary aspect of bliss in the great past depicted in the creation myth conception is not restored based on the afterlife. The alienation amid the Supreme Being and the humankind persists to be natural and unavoidable in the location of the departed despite the fact that the dead have ability of resting there and ensure safety. Large number of African individuals has their customs that there exist rewards and punishments for individuals in the present living as opposed to hereafter living. In the location of the departed, there occurs what takes place automatically despite of the individual’s earthly conduct; based on the truth that proper funeral is administered. If in other cases the individual is wizard, or an evil doer like a murderer, individual who has broken the society activities, or ones who had unnatural loss of life, or incorrect burial, all these individuals are conceived to receive punishment in the hereafter living and probably become wandering ghost. “Additionally, it is believed these individuals may be tortured by the ancestors and expelled in order to pay for their misdeeds committed while they were alive (Mbiti & John 1969)”. Amid numerous African individuals …show more content…
Based on this, various activities are administered to precede the funeral with a view of offering comport, support and recovery for the hurtled ones. This is to reinforce transition to normal operation administering smooth and quick heal to the affected one. This kind of transitions in the period of mourning is from time to time followed by cleansing rituals whereby the bereaved receive surety of admission and safeguard provided by God. Based on the fact that the dominance of Islam and that of Christians has effected in the denial of various mourning customs, the burial or funeral serves as an aspect of declaring