Traditionalist Ifagbenusola Popoola discusses the reasoning behind burying individuals who drown at the riverbank
What does the Yoruba tradition of burying those who drowned at the riverbank signify?
In Yoruba cosmology, every entity is perceived as alive.
Nonliving objects do not exist; rivers, trees, animals, air, and even dwellings are all regarded as living beings.
Hence, rivers such as Osun, Iyemoja, Oya, and Oba are deified in Yoruba culture.
Each body of water is believed to possess its own spirit. Therefore, if an individual perishes in a river, it is thought that the river’s energy is disrupted and must be pacified to maintain harmony within the community.
In adherence to Yoruba tradition, a ritual is conducted and the deceased is interred by the riverbank to safeguard the community from any potential influence of the departed spirit.
What occurs if the rituals are neglected?
Failure to perform the rituals may result in the river’s spirit accompanying the deceased into the community, leading to disturbances known as “Akufa.” This entails the spirit potentially luring others to the river, endangering their lives until the necessary ritual is conducted to cease its influence.
What specific rituals are involved in burying the body of a drowned individual in Yoruba culture?
Certainly, within Yoruba tradition, specialized rituals and ceremonies are conducted by the designated professionals, the priests or priestesses of the respective river. Each river has its own cadre of priests and priestesses who possess knowledge of the customs and conduct the requisite rituals.
Nevertheless, while certain rivers in Yoruba territory retain their significance today, the particulars of the rituals and ceremonies are not openly divulged.
Are there any traditional beliefs or prohibitions concerning the handling of drowned individuals in Yoruba culture?
The foremost taboo dictates that the body should not be interred within the community.
Even after completing all the necessary rituals, if an individual should perish within a river or the ocean, they ought to be laid to rest in close proximity to the water’s edge.
Burying such an individual within the community is considered taboo, as it may attract unfavorable omens or malevolent spirits to the community, potentially resulting in further drownings in the river.
What role do traditional leaders or elders fulfill in overseeing the burial process of drowned individuals within Yoruba communities?
In the past, if someone drowned, the corpse was not handled by anyone, including the person’s parents, as they had no authority over it. Instead, the responsibility fell to the elders, traditional rulers, priests, or priestesses of the community or the specific river. Their role was to supervise the entire process, ensuring it was conducted correctly. Crucially, they ensured that the rituals were performed accurately to appease any potentially disruptive spirits within the community.
How has this practice evolved over time in Yoruba culture?
Yoruba society has undergone numerous changes over time. Observing the present landscape, it’s evident that many deviations have occurred. We’re embracing Western customs, while quietly, the Western world is adopting elements from our culture. There’s a mutual exchange of learning between us. Consequently, these changes have diminished the significance of certain traditions.
For instance, there have been instances where individuals have leaped into the ocean from the Third Mainland Bridge, intending to end their lives. Upon retrieval of their bodies, they are brought back to the community. I recall an incident, possibly in 2020, where an individual plunged into the ocean from the Third Mainland Bridge and perished. Subsequently, others followed suit. While some were rescued, tragically, others did not survive. There was even an account of a man driving his Benz off the bridge, and a woman jumped due to financial distress. These occurrences persisted, leading some to label them as mere coincidences.
Many of these calamities could have been prevented if we had adhered to our traditions. Despite the skepticism held by some regarding these traditions, we are witnessing their repercussions indirectly.
Are there differences in the burial customs for drowned individuals based on factors such as age, gender, or social standing?
In Yoruba tradition, the burial practices for the elderly often diverge from those for younger individuals. Ultimately, they all return to the earth, but the rituals involved vary.
The burial of an initiate contrasts with that of a non-initiate, leading to distinctions in procedures. Moreover, specific materials used for males may differ from those used for females, reflecting the significance attached to gender. These rituals are regarded as sacred and are not openly discussed. While observers may be permitted to witness them, they are not to be divulged publicly.
Gender also influences other rites. For instance, during initiation into Ifa, males undergo a process involving the revelation of Odu. However, females undergo similar procedures without encountering Odu, as she is perceived as a female entity who deems it unnecessary for women to witness her, given that they inherently possess what they seek from her.
In addition, naming ceremonies for newborns follow established conventions. Male infants undergo naming ceremonies on the ninth day, known as “Isan,” while females are named on the seventh day, referred to as “Ije.” For twins or multiples, the naming ceremony occurs on the eighth day, termed “Ijo meejo.” These protocols are deeply ingrained in Yoruba culture, akin to the customs observed during burial rites.
If the deceased is male, only male animals will be used, and vice versa for females. Therefore, these distinctions are gender-based. Another tradition in Yoruba culture dictates that if a man passes away while visiting his in-law’s residence and dies there, his body will be removed through the window rather than the front door of the house.
What influences does religion have on the traditional Yoruba custom of burying drowned individuals near rivers?
It’s crucial to recognize the Yoruba people’s historical tolerance, although there are now some religious extremists in other faiths. Traditionally, Yoruba culture has been characterized by tolerance. Several years ago, a Muslim woman perished in Osun State, swept away by a flood and found deceased in a river. Despite her Islamic faith, having even completed a pilgrimage to Mecca, it was a priestess and priest of Osun who conducted the necessary rituals and oversaw her burial by the riverbank.
Her family, adherents of Islam, permitted the traditional rites to be performed, acknowledging their significance and the potential consequences of neglecting them.
Until recently, other religions did not significantly influence or impede the traditional Yoruba practice of burying drowned bodies near rivers. Although there may be some current dissent, stemming from ignorance, the practice remains unchanged.
Furthermore, claims suggesting that bodies buried near riverbanks pose harm are merely propaganda, as evidenced in recent publications.
Many sailors, particularly American sailors, have a tradition of committing deceased crew members to the ocean. Countless individuals have perished at sea, leaving no trace behind. Despite this, when it comes to our traditional practices, we often hear objections, labeling them as harmful, backward, or barbaric. This seems to stem from a sense of inferiority complex, where anything originating from our culture is deemed negative while anything from the Western world is considered superior.
Regardless of how one chooses to be interred, water ultimately erodes all remains. Even if buried on land, during the rainy season, water carries particles away, eventually merging with rivers and oceans. Our culture, traditions, values, and way of life distinguish us, particularly the Yoruba people. These elements, including our mode of dress, language, cuisine, music, and burial customs, are uniquely ours. It’s disheartening that in the name of civilization, many are discarding practices that have sustained and protected us, dismissing them as superstition or unnecessary.
Contrastingly, cultures like China and India still uphold their traditions and values. In India, for example, cremation is a common practice, and the ashes may be kept in homes or scattered in the ocean without objections about water contamination. This highlights our hypocrisy; we readily embrace foreign concepts but reject our own. We must be open-minded and recognize that our traditions have sustained us thus far.
Regardless of one’s religious beliefs, in Yoruba culture, if someone dies in a river, they should be buried at the riverbank.
Stay updated and stay ahead of the game! For more instant updates, breaking news, and exclusive content on entertainment news, follow Lagosstate.com. Don’t let any headline slip by!
