Paga death rites are a set of rituals and practices that are followed by the people of Paga, a town located in the Upper East Region of Ghana, during times of bereavement. These death rites are deeply rooted in the cultural and religious beliefs of the Paga community. When a person passes away in Paga, it is considered a significant event and the entire community comes together to mourn and pay their last respects. The death rites begin with the announcement of the death, usually done by a designated family member or a community elder. The news is then spread to the relatives, friends, and neighbors of the deceased. Traditional mourning practices such as wailing and crying are common during this time.
Depending on the family’s preferences, there may be a wake or reception after the funeral service. This may take the form of a traditional after-funeral reception, held in a private venue, restaurant or bar. There may be food and drink served.
Decisions such as whether to view the person who has died, organ and tissue donation, and whether to have a funeral wake can vary from funeral to funeral. It is defined by the Pagan Federation the closest you can get in Europe to an overarching authority on Paganism as A polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion.
Traditional mourning practices such as wailing and crying are common during this time. The family of the deceased may hire professional mourners, known as "dirge singers," to lead the mourning process. These dirge singers sing melancholic songs that reflect the grief of the community and add an emotional atmosphere to the mourning rituals.
Paga death rites
Pagan rituals usually start with spiritual support during the dying process. The dying person is caressed, sung to and allowed to discuss their fears and feelings about their passing. This is radically different from the way in which most modern Americans die, and is probably a lot closer to the way our ancestors dealt with death.
Most Pagans believe in reincarnation in some form, so that death is seen as a change of form, a “shedding of the skin”, rather than the end. For this reason the snake that sheds its skin is viewed as a symbol of rebirth rather than as a symbol of evil or death. Pagans see life and death as two sides of one coin; one leads into the other, unendingly. Many Wiccan traditions believe that the souls of the dead rest for a while in an Otherworld called the “Summerland” where they are healed of the traumas of their last life before being born again. Death is not considered a personal stroke of bad fate. Those who die are comforted in the arms of the Goddess and given another chance next time.
Paganism involves the spiritual but non-religious worshipping of people, animals, plants, energies and the earth. The elements of fire, water, earth and air are associated with pagan rites. Most pagan funeral rites are therefore held outdoors in a beautiful, natural setting.
Many Pagan traditions prepare a special feast for the dead and invite them to come back and eat with us, a practice very similar to the Day of The Dead as it is still celebrated in Mexico.
The rituals are guided by an experienced Pagan practitioner. In such rituals, we sit in circles, recite the names of the dead and talk about their lives, their deaths, and the way we felt about them. Many Pagans act as if the dead were literally present and talk to them directly, perhaps also taking the opportunity to tell them things that we did not have the opportunity to say while they were alive. There may be moments during which sadness, tears, tension, anger and laughter are exhibited, but connecting with others in this manner can be very healing.
The rituals include invocations, silence and handling of sacred objects and are conducted in a meaningful atmosphere including fires, music, chanting and dance.
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In some ways, the service may resemble a traditional funeral, including a eulogy, poetry readings, and prayers to the Goddess.
Following the announcement of the death, the body of the deceased is washed and prepared for burial. In Paga, the body is wrapped in a white cloth, symbolizing purity, and placed on a mat or a wooden plank. The body is usually kept in the family's compound, where it is surrounded by relatives and friends for a final farewell. Before the burial takes place, a funeral service is held, which involves prayers, religious recitations, and the sharing of memories and stories about the deceased. The funeral service is conducted by a religious leader, often from the Islamic or Christian faiths, depending on the religious affiliation of the deceased. After the funeral service, the body is taken to the cemetery for burial. In Paga, burials are typically done in family or communal gravesites. The grave is dug by family members and friends, with the guidance of an elder or a designated cemetery caretaker. Once the body is buried, prayers and rituals are performed to ensure the peaceful transition of the deceased's soul. In addition to the burial, Paga death rites also include a period of mourning and remembrance. The immediate family of the deceased usually observes a mourning period called "abudani," which lasts for several weeks or even months. During this time, the family refrains from participating in social activities and follows certain restrictions, such as not wearing colorful clothing or attending celebrations. Overall, Paga death rites are a significant part of the culture and traditions of the Paga community. These rites provide a way for the community to come together, mourn the loss of a loved one, and honor their memory. Through these rituals, the Paga people find solace and support during times of grieving, reaffirming the importance of community and cultural heritage..
Reviews for "The Influence of Paga Death Rites on Identity Formation"
1. John - 2 stars
I found "Paga death rites" to be quite boring and unengaging. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, with no clear direction. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked any sort of emotional impact. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I really disliked "Paga death rites". The story was slow-paced and uneventful, with long stretches of repetitive descriptions and unnecessary details. The dialogue was awkward and unnatural, making it hard to follow the conversations between the characters. The author also missed opportunities to build tension and suspense, leaving the story feeling flat and uninteresting. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging read.
3. Michael - 2 stars
"Paga death rites" was a letdown for me. The premise seemed promising, but the execution fell short. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow moments dragging on and important scenes feeling rushed. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with many unanswered questions about the setting and the magic system. The characters felt one-dimensional and their motivations were unclear. Overall, I felt disconnected from the story and would not recommend this book.