Death Rituals
Christian and Muslim Nigerians believe that after death, a persons
soul is released and judged by God before hopefully going to Heaven.
Most eastern tribes believe in reincarnation. They believe that the dead
will come back as a member of their mothers or sisters family. Big ceremonies
are necessary to prepare the body before burial. If the person has a physical
disability, stuff will be done to prevent it from being passed on in the next life.
Regardless of their religion, they bury their dead. Muslims are buried
so that their heads face the holy city of Meca in Saudi Arabia. For others, it
is customary to bury a man with his head turned toward the east so they
can see the rising sun. For a woman is buried to the west, so she will
know when the sun sets and when it is time to prepare dinner for her
husband in the next life. People also cover the body with black earth
because many believe red earth will result in skin blemishes in the
next life.
The ethnic groups in eastern Nigeria believe that the more music and
dancing at a funeral, the better that persons chances of living a successful
afterlife. The size of the funeral depends on the social standing of the deceased.
Men are expected to set aside money that will be used to make sure that they
have an elaborate funeral. Women, children and adolescents tend to have
much less elaborate funerals.
soul is released and judged by God before hopefully going to Heaven.
Most eastern tribes believe in reincarnation. They believe that the dead
will come back as a member of their mothers or sisters family. Big ceremonies
are necessary to prepare the body before burial. If the person has a physical
disability, stuff will be done to prevent it from being passed on in the next life.
Regardless of their religion, they bury their dead. Muslims are buried
so that their heads face the holy city of Meca in Saudi Arabia. For others, it
is customary to bury a man with his head turned toward the east so they
can see the rising sun. For a woman is buried to the west, so she will
know when the sun sets and when it is time to prepare dinner for her
husband in the next life. People also cover the body with black earth
because many believe red earth will result in skin blemishes in the
next life.
The ethnic groups in eastern Nigeria believe that the more music and
dancing at a funeral, the better that persons chances of living a successful
afterlife. The size of the funeral depends on the social standing of the deceased.
Men are expected to set aside money that will be used to make sure that they
have an elaborate funeral. Women, children and adolescents tend to have
much less elaborate funerals.