PEOPLE & PRACTICE - II

Birth and Death Rituals

Congolese houses abound in children – 6, 8, sometimes even more. As per the religious belief (the Christian belief, as Christianity dominates in Congo), propagation is the chief purpose of life. Children are descendents of the God, believed to bring luck and prosperity to a family. Hence, more the better.

As per the social belief – and this seems more convincing – more members in a family means more earning hands. Beyond a certain age, every child in the family is expected to fend for himself, and if possible, help run the family. The Indian system of parents caring for the children until they are capable enough or children caring for their old parents doesn’t hold good. Even old men and women continue to work to earn a living.

One birth, one celebration. Even though there are various Congolese tribes, each with its own customs for birth and death, some common rules apply for all. Apart from the church rituals, a community gathering is organized with every birth in a family. It’s a fete with abundant food, beer, singing, dancing, and exchanging gifts. For the not-so-privileged families, it’s common to borrow money from friends or employers for the cause.

Likewise in death. Funeral (post church ceremonies), also a community affair, is celebrated with equal grandeur. I say “celebrated,” because I’d often find even in the rural funeral ceremonies, most well-dressed guests carrying expensive bouquets, rendering the air fragrant with their perfume. The massive arrangement for the post-burial meal, the loud music emanating from the speakers near the canopied seating arrangement are all so misleading. In some Congolese tribes, grieving for the dead is disapproved. Their funeral ceremony includes music and dancing (something I’ve heard of, not seen). The idea is to evade the destructive powers of death. To ensure that the deceased’ transition into the other world is painless.

Most Congolese tribes believe in life after death - broadly, an African belief. So, it is customary to place the personal belongings of the deceased in the grave.

For those who can afford, a show of the burial procession becomes necessary. A white van carrying the coffin and a picture of the deceased (on one side of the windscreen) leads the way, and the procession of cars with the deceased’ family and friends, follows. The van is fitted with a hooter alarm that is activated to space out the traffic and make way, when necessary.

During the first few months I was surprised to find men and women returning from funerals wearing starchy new clothes. Later, I learned that distributing new clothes among family and relatives is a common practice in some Congolese tribes.

Thus Congolese death rituals are elaborate, sometimes continuing for a week. And, like many other things, death in a family ensures some period of rest and repose for everyone associated with it.