Funerals in Africa
Subtitle: explorations of a social phenomenon
By: edited by Michael Jindra and  Joël Noret
Publisher: Berghahn Books
Published: 2011
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 232
ISBN-13: 9780857452054; 9780857452061
Subjects: Religious life and customs; Social life and customs; Death; Funeral rites and ceremonies; Religious aspects
Description: "Across Africa, funerals and events remembering the dead have become larger and even more numerous over the years. Whereas in the West death is normally a private and family affair, in Africa funerals are often the central life cycle event, unparalleled in cost and importance, for which families harness vast amounts of resources to host lavish events for multitudes of people with ramifications well beyond the event. Though officials may try to regulate them, the popularity of these events often makes such efforts fruitless, and the elites themselves spend tremendously on funerals. This volume brings together scholars who have conducted research on funerary events across sub-Saharan Africa. The contributions offer an in-depth understanding of the broad changes and underlying causes in African societies over the years, such as changes in religious beliefs, social structure, urbanization, and technological changes and health"--Back cover.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.