The Mamprusi traditionally observe three funerals when an adult dies. The first is the day of burial, the second is around a week later, and the final one is in the dry season. That final send off can be a few months after the burial or as much as a year or two later. It is also the biggest of the three events.
Recently a friend invited me to his father in-law’s funeral. The man had passed away nearly a year and a half ago but because of his status as a chief a huge (expensive) funeral was expected to be thrown. The family had put it off for so long because they couldn’t afford it during last year’s dry season.
The funeral consisted of the usual practices of dancing, drumming, firing of guns, and slaughtering animals. I did learn about two other traditions that were new to me:
First was the firing of guns directly over the deceased’s grave (see photo and video below). About six riflemen each took a turn firing a blast over the grave in the courtyard. I assumed there was some sort of spiritual significance to this (maybe waking the spirit of the dead) but no one that I asked could give me any sort of explanation other than “the more guns at your funeral, the more important it shows that you were.” I’ll have to do more research on that one.
The second funeral tradition I observed is the “trick-or-treat”-ish begging by the deceased’s grandchildren. Running throughout the massive crowd were dozens of kids holding small bowels containing water, coins, charcoal, and hot peppers. The gist of it is that they ask you for money and if you don’t donate to their cause they will splash you with the water in the bowl – burning your eyes (pepper) and dirtying your face (coal). Much like our Halloween tradition, no one actually does the “trick” and the kids seemed to enjoy collecting change (which they most likely spent on candy).
