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Culture & Traditions Rites
of Passage Muslims
Religion |
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| Circumcision Masquerades Naming
Ceremonies Weddings
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Burial Procedure:
 An
individual who discovers a death would inform the rest of the
family in the house and elders then would inform the wider relatives
and friends who may be widely dispersed. It is common to hear
an obituary announcements in the early morning on the radio about
a loved one who has passed away giving friends and relations the
time and funeral arrangements.
Burials and funerals in Gambia (known locally as 'dech') follow
the Muslims practices and rituals
as stated down by Islamic Sharia. The corpse of the deceased is
ritually washed as a last, purifying ablution then perfumed. This
act is by custom supposed to be carried out by someone of the
same sex as the deceased person except in the case of a child
under 8.
The body is then wrapped in a white shroud and the dead person's
hands are crossed over their chest. A special prayer called salat
ul jenazah made over their remains.
Custom dictates that the burial should takes place as soon as
possible preferably within 24 hours of death, even if necessary
in the evening time. Religious custom as says that only men can
make up the funeral procession that accompanies the dead person
to the cemetery. Prayers are normally performed firstly in the
local Mosque then the body is taken to their local cemetery in
a wooden coffin or stretcher which will be re-used for the next
person. When the mourners reach the grave prayers are said then
the body is taken out of the coffin and placed in the ground on
his or her right side and facing the direction of Mecca. Planks
are laid usually at soil level then leaves are placed in
wide gaps and over the planks. Finally the soil is pushed over
by relatives and not the grave diggers. Finally a very simple
marker is used to identify the grave as elaborate grave stones
are generally frowned upon as it is believed the money saved can
be put to better use in the community.
Condolences:
After the body's internment the men return to the family house
to express their condolences (Jalé) and usually contribute any
amount of money (Sarahh) by placing it on a sheet where the women
related to the deceased would be sitting. Koranic recitals are
done in which the whole of the Koran is read out by numbers of
people.
Mourning Period:
This is sometimes followed by 3 days of mourning which is followed
by a 40 day charity. The fortieth day is said to be the day their
soul enters heaven and so more prayer vigils are performed.
In the case of a widow she must remain indoors for her mourning
period of 4 months 10 days and should dress very simply, not wear
any jewellery or make-up. The reason for this is to ensure that
if she is pregnant it will become obvious during this time and
everyone will know who the father is. If she is not then she can
re-marry. In the case of a widower he is expected to at least
keep a low social profile for the next few months.
Not all burial rites are strictly followed as laid down in Sharia
Law and it is often common to see variations within the Muslim
community in Gambia itself not to mention the Muslim world at
large.
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