The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred, has explained why the Onitsha traditional council decided to shorten the traditional burial rites from three days to one day.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s
‘Morning Brief’ on Wednesday, the monarch said the decision is to save cost on
the side of the bereaved families.
He, however, said there was resistance, especially from the women’s group, stating that they set up a committee, spoke to the women's group leaders, and convinced them that it is the right way to go.
“Yes, in some cases, there are push-backs, particularly some
elements of our culture and tradition that have been on for a long time.
“When I came onto the throne, our traditional burial, which
even the Church has also emulated, is that you have a wake-keep, which is an
all-night affair, and then the next day is interment, which is a big ceremony.
“Thanksgiving service to bury somebody was three days of
spending money. So, the traditional Council under me decided that we can cut it
down to one day, 6am to 6pm. No wake up, no day after.
“We knew that there would be resistance, the women’s group
and all. So we then set up a consultation committee and spoke to the leaders of
the women's group and convinced them that it is the right way to go, and there’s
nothing about our culture and tradition that is going to be set aside because
everything can be done in 12 hours. They accepted it.
“Initially, they were grumbling, and some pushed back, but
today, everybody said it’s the best decision that we’ve made in the past
several years. And the church also has adopted it,” he said.
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