The Weird and scary African Rituals I Witnessed at a Funeral
They say they are making the spirits of the dead rest and not return to the living world to be used or haunt the living. But it's much darker than that.
I never wanted to admit this, but I can’t keep it to myself anymore. A few years ago, I attended a funeral in my hometown. I thought it would be normal — family, prayers, tears, the usual. But what I saw… changed how I look at funerals forever.
Apparently for the corpse to sleep at home on Friday when the funeral is the next day is because they want to perform rituals before the funeral. That's another reason why the corpse only comes in the evening. They perform rituals over night.
One of the rituals I've seen with my own eyes is when the deceased was rich and successful then they bath the corpse at night,then bath someone the family selects to carry the luck and success of the deceased.
After bathing the person with the same water the deceased was bathed with then,the successor sprinkles the wated around the yard using his mouth. He drinks and spil the water around the yard saying what is expected of the water to do.
Anyway let's go back to one of the most shocking day of my life.
It started after the coffin was lowered. People were whispering, moving in circles, holding small bottles and strange herbs. I asked an older woman what was happening. She just smiled and said, “It’s a ritual. Don’t worry, it’s for protection.” But deep down, I felt uneasy.
They brought out chickens — yes, live chickens. They were tied and brought close to the grave. Some people murmured chants while sprinkling powders over the birds and the soil. Later, they broke eggs near the grave and poured alcohol into small holes in the ground. I didn’t understand it at the time, but I learned these acts are believed to guide the spirit of the deceased, protect the family from bad luck, or even tie the spirit to the world of the living.
Then there was the mirror ritual. A small mirror was held under the coffin to “reflect the spirit back” so it wouldn’t wander and haunt anyone. Some people placed personal items of the deceased — small clothes, jewelry, even knives — into the grave, claiming it would help the spirit in its journey. Others sprinkled river water over the body, whispering words I couldn’t understand, saying it would cleanse the soul and keep enemies away.
I also witnessed something even stranger: a silent procession at night. Only a few people would carry lanterns and walk around the grave three times while chanting softly. I was told it was to confuse evil spirits and protect the family from misfortune. Some elders used animal sacrifices — a goat or a chicken — to “seal” the ritual. Watching it, I felt both fear and awe.
I left that day shaken. I couldn’t stop thinking about the chants, the powders, the animals, and the mirrors. Funerals aren’t just about mourning. In some villages, they are a mix of grief, power, and secret rituals — things outsiders rarely see.
I’m sharing this confession because people need to know: what happens at some funerals isn’t just tradition or superstition. It’s a world of secrets, fear, and power… and if you ever attend, watch closely. What you don’t see might change how you think about life… and death.
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