Tag Archives: South Africa

The Evolution of After-Tears Parties in South Africa

More young people are bucking tradition and mourning loved ones in their own way

Traditions aren’t static. They constantly warp and evolve with every new generation. This is especially true in South Africa, as younger generations living in urban areas have adopted a brand new burial tradition: after-tears parties. An after-tears party is a time … Continue reading

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Bringing the Spirit Home in Xhosa Burial Rituals

How the funeral rites of the Xhosa people of South Africa can transform a spirit into an ancestral guide

For most people, the culture, traditions, and even the existence of the Xhosa people would have remained unknown were it not for the death of anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela. Although the world will mourn his loss for years to come, with … Continue reading

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He did What? Barack Obama’s Funeral Selfie

A recent image has us wondering: did Obama really take a selfie at the funeral of Nelson Mandela?

Last Thursday, we said a bittersweet farewell to anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela. The South African leader’s funeral was packed to the brim with admirers and friends from all corners of the globe, including our own President Obama. And as a … Continue reading

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Green Burial Makes its Way to South Africa

The country opens its first eco-cemetery.

Last month, South Africa opened the country’s first green cemetery. Weisenhof Legacy Park was created within the oldest privately-owned nature reserve in the country. The park set aside a portion of its space for burial and memorial sites. It will … Continue reading

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