- Yofogbe: a day after Nudogbe, lineage rituals are
performed and gifts are offered to the family of
the deceased, especially to help with the costs
associated with the funeral. - Akontawogbe: 3 days after Yofogbe, donations
are estimated. - Xomefewogbe: the final cost of the funeral is
established; attending a funeral and contributing
to its expenses is a socially important obligation
in Ewe society.
In addition to performing the appropriate bur-
ial rituals, certain taboos also must be observed
so as not to displease the dead person. Among the
Hutu, close relatives of a newly deceased person
may not engage in work or sexual intercourse
during the period of mourning. When mourning
is over, the family organizes a ritual feast, and all
activities resume normally. Likewise, a Luo man
who just lost his wife must wait until he can sleep
in their conjugal room or be around other
women. It is not until he has dreamed of making
love with his wife, which may take quite a long
time (sometimes several years), that he is allowed
to use the conjugal bedroom again and live a nor-
mal life. Until then, he must sleep in another
room and sometimes even outside on the
veranda.
In African religion, the relationship between
the living and their ancestors is a dynamic and rec-
iprocal one. It is not uncommon, for example, for
ancestral spirits to visit their living relatives, to
whom they appear in dreams. Ancestral spirits
might pay a visit out of care and protection, but
also out of displeasure if they feel neglected or
offended. When a person or a family experiences
misfortunes, for example, death, illness, or bar-
renness, the ancestors are immediately suspected
of being responsible. It is therefore quite impor-
tant for the living to please the ancestors by hon-
oring and remembering them. This can only be
done through living an ethical life. This is also the
only way to become an ancestor, the supreme goal
and reward of life.
Ama MazamaSeealsoAge Groups; Akan; Ceremonies; Death; Ewe;
Initiation; Luo; Maasai; Marriage; Mende; Naming;
Puberty
Further Readings
Egberongbe, W. (2003).African Traditional Religion:We
Are No Pagans. Lagos, Nigeria: Nelson.
Ephirim-Donkor, A. (1997).African Spirituality:On
Becoming Ancestors. Trenton, NJ: Africa World
Press.
Forde, D. (Ed.). (1954).African Worlds: Studies in the
Cosmological Ideas and Social Values of African
Peoples.London & New York: The International
African Institute and Oxford University Press.
Imasogie, O. (1985).African Traditional Religion.
Ibadan, Nigeria: University Press Ltd.
Mbiti, J. (1990).African Religions and Philosophy.
London & Nairobi, Kenya: Heinemann.
Nsaw, A. (1997).La pensée africaine:recherches sur les
fondements de la pensée négro-africaine. Dakar,
Sénégal: Les Nouvelles Editions du Sénégal.
Wa Lele, B. (1982).Family Spirituality in Africa. Eldoret,
Kenya: Gaba Publications.
Zahan, D. (1979).The Religion,Spirituality,and
Thought of Traditional Africa(K. E. Martin & L. M.
Martin, Trans.). Chicago: Chicago University Press.RITES OFRECLAMATION
Rites of Reclamation have the explicit purpose of
reclaiming African culture. These rites can include
taking an African name; giving children African
names; adopting African dress and cultural prac-
tices; celebrating Kwanzaa, Odunde, Juneteenth,
Fi Wi Sinting, or Nakumbuka Day; traveling to
the slave fortresses of West Africa; making pil-
grimages to Kemet; and practicing traditional
African religions. These are just a few of many
activities that could be considered rites of recla-
mation. Whatever form they take, Rites of
Reclamation have been an essential aspect of the
African experience since Africa’s encounter with
Europe in the 15th century.
In more recent times, Rites of Reclamation have
focused on efforts to reclaim African cultural val-
ues. Kwanzaa is a prominent example of this
because it is inspired by African social values and
uses the language of Kiswahili. Odunde, which
means Happy New Year in Yoruba, is a festival
started in 1975 and held the second Sunday in June.
It resulted from Lois Fernandez reinterpreting the
processionals to the river orisa Osun in West Africa
for an African American neighborhood in574 Rites of Reclamation