It was a long day. We left the house at 7:30 am to go to Grace's village for her nephew's funeral. It was neat seeing her village, but funerals are never a fun thing. Grace's village is built into the mountainside. I found it very pretty, but definitely rustic. There are no streets to most of the houses so everything must be carried. Most of the houses do not have running water. I needed to use the bathroom, this consisted of a 3 sided wood fence, no door that you squat in! It seemed some what isolated, but it wasn't the easiest time since anyone could have come up upon me!!! I sure this is TMI, but I think it helps for people to know what its really like!
Anyways, we started out by walking to various family memebers' homes to pay our respect. This consisted of the usual cultural greetings and then taking a drink of the local spirits. I passed since I tried them once and they were disgusting and because it was 9 am in the morning. Also, we walked to the tent that had the open caskets of the deceased. I guess they combine funerals so it was for 4 people. I realized I haven't been to a funeral since my Grandma's 9 years ago so it wasn't the most pleasant thing. Around 10 am, the funeral started. It was some singing, prayer, sermons, and eulogies. I couldn't understand most of it so it was a very boring 2.5 hours! We then ate lunch after hiking back up to Grace's childhood home! The hill is really steep. The littlest physical impairment could really disable you in this village!! After lunch, we walked to more houses to pay our respects. Finally, at 4 pm we headed back to Kpando. I was very hot at that point and glad to head back home!
I like experiencing parts of other cultures, but I can't say I was entertained today. I find it interesting to know what a funeral is like here, but overall it was boring and sad. Two of the people were only 40 years old so it was not a happy funeral like they are for older people. I'm not really sure how they died. I think both had been sick for awhile.
I hope everyone is having a good weekend. I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning after waking up early today!
Love, Kari
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