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Crocodile tears at funerals

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Crocodile tears at funerals

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By Sekuru Taurai

The Shona people of Chibhoraniland say, ‘’Rufu ndimaunganidze’’, meaning death brings people together. When someone dies, young or old, relatives, friends, neighbours and even enemies come from all corners of the village, town, country and the world. The million dollar question however is; what are their real motives for leaving their comfortable homes, jobs and everything else to come for a funeral?

There are many answers to the question. Some come to genuinely pay their condolences, some come for the food, some to make a fashion statement, enemies come to see their enemy buried six feet underground, some for the free booze, some come as curious cats and some for numerous other reasons not related to the funeral. Traditionally guided by our philosophy of hunhu/ubuntu most people came to funerals to genuinely support the bereaved spiritually, psychologically and materially and physically. One way of showing their support was to bring food to the funeral. Women would contribute mealie meal and vegetables in order to feed mourners and also help with the cooking while the men did the heavy physical work of digging the grave, carrying stones, killing and skinning the beast. So people actually ate what they brought and this was quite a relief for the bereaved. What makes me angry however is that things have changed and changed for the bad. You see, these days Chibhoraniland mourners not only expect but actually demand to be fed and intoxicated by the bereaved who have now to deal with the double tragedy of the loss of their beloved and the extra burden of feeding people who will come to the funeral. They are left much poorer because after losing their beloved relative they have still to scrounge around for food and drinks to give to hungry and thirsty mourners who will get quite angry and disgruntled if they don’t get drunk and are not well fed during the funeral. For example the young men digging the grave will demand beer and cold drinks while digging.  If the bereaved family is well to do you will get a larger crowd at the funeral with many coming for the food and drink or maybe just to socialize. 

Chibhoraniland citizens, don’t go to funerals to feed and get drunk on free food and drink. Hazvina hunhu. Funerals are not fashion parades and motor car shows to show off your trendy clothes and latest SUV. Let us come to funerals with one motive; to support the bereaved. Otherwise better stay at home with your crocodile tears. Ndini Sekuru Taurai ndati regai ndizvitaure nokuti zvonyanya.

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