Qunu:It’s going to be a careful balancing act today between traditional Xhosa funeral customs and practices and the official protocol of a state funeral. After 10 days of national mourning, Nelson Mandela’s funeral will be held at his family burial site in Qunu, though numbers are restricted to about 5000 (excluding most of the local villagers). According to information released by the GCIS, the coffin will arrive at Mandela’s house by gun carriage, with an elder or specialists accompanying it to perform all the rituals necessary to invoke the return of spirit.
It is believed that one’s soul needs to be at home and reunited at burial with the mortal remains for spiritual harmony to be attained. If this procedure is not followed correctly, his spirit may wander around restlessly and even cause misfortune to family members. Correctly followed, it may bring good fortune and protection to his family.
As the military hands over the casket to the family, the South African national flag draped over the coffin will be replaced with the traditional blanket of the Xhosa people, heralding the return of one of their own.
ANC leaders, local chiefs and the men in Mandela’s family will stand sentinel over the coffin in a private night vigil, held according to the traditions of the Thembu community, Mandela’s clan. Local villagers will be also be allowed to gather outside the house to pay their respects.
This morning, a private family prayer service will be held, with the funeral taking place in the large white dome-shaped marquee set up at the family farm. Apart from roughly 5000 guests, including local and foreign dignitaries, President Zuma and Cabinet members, Britain’s Prince Charles, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfey and are among the big names expected.
Family prayer service
After a private family prayer service this morning at Mandela’s home, the funeral will be held in a huge white tent set up at the family farm. The military will again drape Mandela’s coffin with the South African flag, the military will salute him and the national anthem will be played.
However, the final burial will be closed to most but the 430 family and close friends who will escort the body to the grave site to bid their final farewells.
At about 2pm, Mandela will be laid to rest in the moist earth of his childhood home, alongside members of his family and his children. Surrounded by hardy, drought-resistant orange aloes, Mandela’s final resting place is particularly fitting for a man with such tenacity of spirit that he survived horrors most of us cannot imagine, yet was still able to find forgiveness.
— Melissa Andrews is a freelance writer in South Africa
