TOMBSTONE UNVEILING

Often a tombstone is not finished and installed until long after a person has been buried. My host uncle passed away last year, in January. This year the tombstone was unveiled in a festive celebration, (in contrast to the more solemn occasion of the funeral).

This is the cemetery in my village. It lies just on the edge, and is used by many surrounding villages.

Here is the family surrounding the new tombstone.

A woman must cover here head and her arms in the cemetery, and men must cover their arms. This can be a challenge in 100 degree heat. Here my host niece is retying little Tshoga's head covering. We are at my host aunt's house, having completed the unveiling, so the dress code is dropped and you can take of your sweaters.

Here are some of the distinguished matrons of the community.

A cow was slaughtered for a celebratory feast.

Even a brass band was hired. They played on and off all day, lounging under trees to escape the heat in the interim. Every time they played-we danced!

Here we are dancing.

Here I am showing Tshoga my sweet moves.