Death in Sierra Leone
If a family member dies you must have a large, expensive public ‘bury’ to avoid disgrace, which can cost you more than a marriage. A Christian bury will go on for over a week; Muslim funerals are quick and the body is in the ground by sundown wrapped in a sheet, but the public ceremonies go on for days, weeks and the year.
Kadi, our very popular seamstress, who is very good at leading worship at hospital prayers had a big wedding last summer which we all attended. The hospital was rocked three weeks ago when she lost a baby at seven months. Then 36 hours later she died for no obvious reason. We feel like a piece of our lives has fallen out. (the mortality rate in that ward is said to be an incredible 1 in 3, and 4 died during that shift. The lifetime risk of a woman dying due to childbirth in Sierra Leone remains the highest in the world at one in six).
Perhaps 1,500 people attended the funeral, all dressed in white. Helen spent seven hours non-stop that day attending the open laying out of the body in two homes, 3 processions, a three hour funeral, and a graveside ceremony. Whew! (felt dead at the end)
Kadi, our very popular seamstress, who is very good at leading worship at hospital prayers had a big wedding last summer which we all attended. The hospital was rocked three weeks ago when she lost a baby at seven months. Then 36 hours later she died for no obvious reason. We feel like a piece of our lives has fallen out. (the mortality rate in that ward is said to be an incredible 1 in 3, and 4 died during that shift. The lifetime risk of a woman dying due to childbirth in Sierra Leone remains the highest in the world at one in six).
Perhaps 1,500 people attended the funeral, all dressed in white. Helen spent seven hours non-stop that day attending the open laying out of the body in two homes, 3 processions, a three hour funeral, and a graveside ceremony. Whew! (felt dead at the end)
posted by Dave & Helen Lyth @ 22:50
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