Burial of the Dead

Molefi Kete Asante

It is generally accepted in Africa that the dead will be buried. There is no extensive tradition of cremation of the dead. If a person who dies is not buried in the Earth, he or she might be left in a tree or hidden in a cave, but burning a corpse is unheard of in most societies. Those who have violated the values and norms of society are often banished in death away from the common burial area. There is a communal attachment quality to the idea of burial of the dead. The dead person remains a member of the family and has force that will be used in support of ...

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