ABSTRACT
When a man is ill, and all hope of recovery has been abandoned, his kinsmen are summoned to the kraal to await his death. When possible, every relative makes a point of attending the death-bed. After death, the medicine-man divines a site for the grave, generally indicating a place under the fence surrounding the cattle-kraal, or outside the kraal under the cover of bush or trees. The medicine-man also indicates which of the burial party is to be the first to touch the corpse. The parents of the deceased may attend the funeral, but may not touch the body or take an active part in the burial. Usually the mortuary rites are performed by the old relatives of the deceased. The mourning period continues until after the cause of death has been discovered and avenged.
