A Lesotho Funeral and random stuff
Trip Start
Aug 07, 2008
1
8
Trip End
Ongoing
Sadly a friend and co-worker's husband passed away a few weeks ago. I visited her on Thursday and Friday for the memorial service they held for him at the Lesotho Agriculture College (he was a 37 yr old masters student) and then for the preparations for the funeral on Saturday. For the week leading up to the funeral the mourning wife or mother lies on a mat and greives while people come and give their condolences. The day before they bring the prepared body (if they can afford it) in the coffin to the house and set it up by her mat for viewing. The day of the funeral there are several speakers including co-workers, neighbors, preists etc. before everyone follows the hearse or people carrying the coffin to the grave yard. After the burial everyone goes to the house for food. That night the mourning women shave their heads. The next day they wash all of the deceased blankets, clothing etc. This funeral was for a fairly well off person living in Maseru so it was not the most traditional of cerimonies and many of the speakers were from the families catholic church.
