Dagaba Funeral Rites in African Popular Culture
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Questions and Answers

According to Dagaba customs, what is the implication of a man dying lying down?

  • He is considered a respected elder in the community
  • He is believed to have committed a sin against the earth
  • He is considered a slave who had no one to care for him (correct)
  • He is thought to have died a good death

    • What marks the moment of death according to Dagaba customs?

  • Announcement by the Tendaana
  • Playing of xylophones
  • Loud wailing of women (correct)
  • Lightning striking the ground

    • How is the news of a death spread in Dagaba culture?

  • Through an announcement by the Tendaana
  • Through messengers to distant kinsmen
  • By playing specific tunes on xylophones (correct)
  • Through a public speech by the Earthpriest

    • What determines the range of attendance at a funeral in Dagaba culture?

    <p>The distance that the sound of the xylophones carries</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Dagaba culture, who is responsible for arranging the bathing of the corpse?

    <p>Classificatory 'wives' and sisters of the deceased</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, who is responsible for the funeral rites of any member of the Dagaba lineage/clan/family?

    <p>The paternal relations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the sick man’s sisters and their sons during his last hours?

    <p>To attend to the dying man during his last hours</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which region of Ghana are the Dagaba people located in?

    <p>Upper West Region</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During the dry season, where do the Dagaba people migrate to find work?

    <p>Southern Ghana</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In terms of inheritance, what lineage is responsible for the funeral rites of a Dagaba family member?

    <p>Patrilineal lineage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Dagaba culture, who is responsible for informing family members living away from the settlement when a member of the family is ill and thought to be on the point of death?

    <p>The paternal relations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the sick man’s sisters and their sons together with the dying man’s wife/wives during his last hours in Dagaba culture?

    <p>They attend to the dying man during his last hours</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Dagaba customs, what marks the moment of death?

    <p>The last breath of the dying person</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is ultimately responsible for seeing that the funeral ceremony is properly performed in Dagaba culture?

    <p>The senior mourner</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During the dry season, where do the Dagaba people migrate to find work?

    <p>Southern Ghana</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of a man dying lying down according to the Dagaba culture?

    <p>It implies that the man was a slave who had no one to care for him.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the playing of xylophones after a person's death in Dagaba culture?

    <p>It signifies the gender of the deceased and spreads the news of death to the whole settlement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What determines the range of attendance at a funeral in Dagaba culture?

    <p>The status of the deceased and distance that the sound of the xylophones carries.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes between evil/bad death and good death in Dagaba culture?

    <p>Whether the death was caused by natural disasters or epidemics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the condition for a woman to be taken back to her husband’s house after her death according to Dagaba customs?

    <p>The bride wealth must have been paid in full to the husband's family.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Death Customs in Dagaba Culture

    • A man dying lying down signifies an evil or bad death, reflecting negatively on the lineage and its future.
    • The moment of death is marked by a pronounced sound or event, typically the playing of xylophones, which signifies the transition and significance of the event.

    Communication of Death

    • News of a death is communicated through personal visits or messengers to inform family and community members.
    • Attendance at a funeral is influenced by the deceased’s social status, family connections, and the nature of the death.

    Funeral Arrangements

    • The bathing of the corpse is arranged by the deceased's immediate family, typically involving close relatives who follow cultural protocols.
    • The funeral rites are the responsibility of the men within the Dagaba lineage, ensuring adherence to traditions and honors.

    Family Roles During Illness

    • During the last hours of a sick man, his sisters and their sons play a supportive role, preparing for post-death customs and arrangements alongside the man's wife or wives.
    • Immediate family members are tasked with informing relatives living away about the illness and potential death of a family member.

    Geographic and Economic Context

    • The Dagaba people are predominantly located in the Upper West Region of Ghana.
    • During the dry season, they migrate to cities like Accra for work opportunities, often in labor-intensive jobs.

    Inheritance Practices

    • Inheritance practices dictate that the male lineage is responsible for funeral rites, reinforcing continuity of lineage and societal roles.
    • A woman may only return to her husband’s house after death if certain conditions regarding children and family relationships are fulfilled.

    Good vs. Bad Death Distinction

    • The community differentiates between a good death, which brings honor, and a bad death, characterized by perceived wrongdoing or shame, impacting the deceased’s legacy.

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    Description

    Explore the funeral rites of the Dagaba (LoDagaa) people in the Upper West Region of Ghana, including their cultural practices and traditions. Learn about their migration patterns and livelihoods in southern Ghana during the dry season.

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