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How do the ceremonies conducted during the rite of initiation into adulthood express the traditional African belief in life after death?

      

Explain how the ceremonies conducted during the rite of initiation into adulthood express the traditional African belief in life after death.

  

Answers


Maurice
(i) Initiation is a stage closer to death which leads to life after death-where they will meet the ancestors.

(ii) Ancestors are consulted before arrangements for initiation to take place.

(iii) In some communities initiates acquire names of ancestors after initiation to honour them.

(iv) The end of seclusion symbolises death into childhood and rise to new life into adulthood.

(v) Initiation was ordained by the ancestors and therefore practising the rite is showing obedience to the ancestors.

(vi) Rejection of the rite of initiation may lead to punishment from the ancestors.

(vii) In some communities, a person cannot be buried before circumcision if he is a grown up for fear of him being rejected in the spirit world.

(viii) The shedding of blood during initiation binds the living and the dead.

(ix) It is only after initiation that a person is allowed to procreate so that after death there will be offspring to inherit him and remember him.

(x) Initiation songs depict past heroes and ancestors who withstood the operation without fear.

(xi) The herbs used on the wound are said to belong to the ancestors who have power to heal.

(xii) Offences committed before initiation must be confessed before initiation lest one bleeds to death due to the wrath of ancestors.

(xiii) Pouring of libation is to please the ancestors and welcome them to participate in the initiation ceremonies.

(xiv) Prayers are made through the ancestors for protection and for the reception of blessings on the initiates.

(xv) Sacrifices and offerings are made to the ancestors on behalf of the initiates.

(xvi) All members of the community participate in the initiation ceremony ( the living, the dead and the unborn).

(xvii) The initiates are told stories of the ancestors so that they can emulate them.
maurice.mutuku answered the question on June 20, 2017 at 05:57


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