I have been in the Upper west region Wa west district for about 7 months now, i have been to a couple of traditional funerals which i might say for someone who is not used to the culture is quite a spectacle. There is drumming from the time a person passes away till the day he or she is buried. Funerals are usually two day affairs which starts in the afternoon on a scheduled ground where the deceased is laid in state usually under a tree. Immediate family sit near by and receive condolences and welcome sympathisers.
Things i found interesting at the funeral grounds
- Everybody comes in normal attire ( except immediate family who usually black smocks)
- Most people brought their own chair or stool
- Traders from the village market bring their products like vegetables, food, provisions etc to the funeral grounds to sell
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| Guest arriving at funeral grounds |
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| Musical instruments ready |
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| Drumming begins |
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| Traditional three legged stools mourners bring to funerals |
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| Lets dance!!! |
There is a lot of drumming and dancing in the later part of the day after most guests have arrived. The call to dance is usually detected by by hitting the high pitch on the xylophone whiles the drummer plays at a fast pace. The dance which starts in the latter part of the afternoon is done by jostling ones body vigorously back and forward whiles stamping the feet on the ground. I tried doing the dance and i must add it's quite intense. The drumming and dancing continue till dark whiles the corpse is buried close to his former residence.
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