Death and Dying. A Study of the Mortuary Rites of the Frafra of Northern Ghana in the Light of the Christian Funeral Liturgy. An Attempt at Inculturation.

摘要

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTTABLE OF CONTENTSABBREVIATIONSBIBLIOGRAPHYGENERAL INTRODUCTIONCHAPTER ONE. PRELIMINARY CONSIBERATIONS. A BRIEF SURVEY OF THE FRAFRA WORLDVIEWINTRODUCTION1. THE FRAFRA PEOPLE, THEIR ORIGIN, PRESENT LOCATION, RELIGION AND LIFE PATTERN1.1. THE FRAFRA PEOPLE1.2. THE ORIGIN OF THE FRAFRA PEOPLE1.3. SOCIO-POLITICAL ORGANIZATION1.3.1. THE FAMILY1.3.2. THE CLAN1.3.3. POLITICO-RELIGIOUS ORGANISATION1.3.4. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES1.3.5. POPULATION1.3.6. RELIGION 1.3.6.1. The Supreme Being 1.3.6.2. Divinities 1.3.6.3. Ancestors 1.3.6.4. Other Spirits 1.3.6.5. Divination 1.3.6.6. Sacrifices and Offerings 1.3.6.7. Relationship between the Supreme Being, Divinities and Ancestors2. THE FRAFRA CONCEPT OF THE PERSON2.1. NERA/NERISAALA (PERSON/HUMAN BEING)2.2. INŊA (BODY)2.3. SIA (SOUL/SPIRIT)2.4. DENγRO (MYSTICAL DIRT)2.5. VO-OSUM (VITAL BREATH)3. THE FRAFRA CONCEPT OF DEATH3.1. CAUSES OF DEATH AMONG THE FRAFRA3.2. CATEGORISING DEATH AND FUNERALS3.2.1. NORMAL DEATHS3.2.2. ABNORMAL DEATHS3.2.3. BAD DEATHS4. SOCIO-RELIGIOUS DIMENSIONS OF FRAFRA DEATH AND FUNERALS4.1 SOCIAL DIMENSION4.1.1 THE COMMUNITARIAN CHARACTER OF THE FRAFRA4.1.2. RECONCILIATION4.1.3. INHERITANCE4.2. THE RELIGIOUS DIMENSION OF FRAFRA DEATH AND FUNERALS5. CARE FOR THE SICK AND DYING PERSON6. DEATH AND FUNERALS AS A RITE OF PASSAGE7. DEATH AND CONFLICT. THE SITUATION OF THE FRAFRA CHRISTIAN IN THE FACE OF DEATH. A STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM8. CONCLUSIONCHAPTER TWO. CELEBRATING FUNERALS. A FRAFRA APPROACHINTRODUCTION1. A DESCRIPTION OF THE FRAFRA FUNERAL RITUAL1.1. THE RITES OF THE WET FUNERAL. BURIAL RITES1.1.1. IMMEDIATE EVENTS AFTER DEATH1.1.2. THE RITE OF SHAVING AND BATHING1.1.3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEATH1.2. RITES PRECEDING BURIAL1.2.1. THE WAKE KEEPING CEREMONY 1.2.1.1. The Significance and Importance of the Wake Keeping 1.2.1.2. War Dance 1.2.1.3. The Funeral Dirges1.3. THE PARTING GIFT. THE RITE OF THE NAWOON1.4. THE RITE OF INTERROGATION1.5. BURIAL1.5.1. THE NATURE OF BURIAL1.5.2. THE GRAVE AS A HOUSE2. THE FINAL FUNERAL RITES – THE RITES OF THE DRY FUNERAL2.1. ITEMS REQUIRED2.2. DISPOSAL OF THE EFFIGY2.3. KULγGO/NOOSE FOBGA – THE RITE OF KILLING THE ANIMAL AND SMASHING THE FOWLS2.4. KYEA KA-ARE – “POURING THE MALT”2.5. BUγRO DAARE – THE DAY OF DIVINATION2.6. KUURE NYO-A – ‘BURNING THE FUNERAL’2.6.1. PREPARING THE LOKO (QUIVER) AND THE PILGO (SPECIAL POT)2.6.2. MIRA (KO-OM ZE-ELGO – PLACING THE WATER) 2.6.2.1. Ko-om Ze-elg - Placing the Water 2.6.2.2. Loko Da-a (Buying the quiver) 2.6.2.3. Rituals in the Room and ‘Burning’ the funeral 2.6.2.4. Pilgo Toa – Pounding the Pilgo – Ritual for Women2.6.3. ZAYUNRE PEERE (WASHING THE GATE) – CONCLUDING RITUALS – RITUALS OF RE-INTEGRATION2.6.4. THE RITES FOR THE ORPHANS 2.6.4.1. Shaving the Hair 2.6.4.2. The Do-oronŋo Ritual 2.6.4.3. Peeping Inside the Granary and Eating Row Millet 2.6.4.4. Gure – Ritual Dish for the Orphans2.6.5. WIDOWS/WIDOWERS AND THE WIDOWHOOD RITES 2.6.5.1. Reasons for the Widowhood Rites 2.6.5.1.1. Religious Factors 2.6.5.1.2. Social Factors 2.6.5.2. A Description of the Frafra Widowhood Ritual2.6.5.2.1. Setting the Widow/Widower Apart2.6.5.2.2. Holding the Calabash2.6.5.2.3. Sitting on Leaves2.6.5.2.4. Shaving and Bathing the Widow/Widower – The Rite of Purification2.6.5.2.5. Re-integrating the Widow/Widower3. CURRENT TRENDS. THE SITUATION OF FRAFRA FUNERALS TODAY3.1. THE EFFECTS OF EDUCATION AND EVANGELISATION ON FRAFRA FUNERALS3.2. EFFECTS OF CULTURAL INTERACTION AND CULTURAL BORROWING ON FRAFRA FUNERALS4. BELIEF IN LIFE AFTER DEATH AMONG THE FRAFRA4.1. DEATH IS NOT THE END OF LIFE4.2. LOCATION OF THE ANCESTRAL WORLD. THE PLACE OF THE ‘LIVING-DEAD’4.3. THE NATURE OF THE NEXT WORLD4.4. THE QUESTION OF DIVINE JUDGMENT4.5. THE LINK BETWEEN THE DEAD AND LIVING4.6. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FRAFRA BELIEF IN LIFE AFTER DEATH AND THEIR FUNERAL RITES5. A CRITICAL OBSERVATION. TOWARDS A RITUAL TRANSFORMATION6. CONCLUSIONCHAPTER THREE. THE DEVELOPMENT, CELEBRATION AND THEOLOGY OF CHRISTIAN FUENRAL LITURGYINTRODUCTION1. A BRIEF HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE CHRISTIAN FUNERAL RITUALS1.1. PRE-CHRISTIAN CULTURES AND THE CHRISTIAN PRACTICE1.2. A SURVEY OF THE STAGES OF THE INFLUENCE OF ‘PAGAN’ CULTURES AND THE REACTION OF THE CHURCH1.2.1. THE VIATICUM1.2.2. WASHING THE BODY1.2.3. ANOINTING/EMBALMING THE BODY1.2.4. CLOTHING THE DEAD1.2.5. WAKE KEEPING/VIGIL1.2.6. THE WAKE IN THE CHURCH1.2.7. MOURNING GARMENTS1.3. A BRIEF SURVEY OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN RITUALS OF DEATH1.3.1. THE RITUAL OF THE ANCIENT CHURCH. ORDO 491.3.2. RITUALS OF THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH 1.3.2.1. Monastic Rituals of Burial1.3.2.2. The Office for the Dead1.3.3. RITUALE ROMANUM OF 16141.3.4. THE ORDER OF FUNERALS. ORDO EXSEQUIARUM OF 19692. LITURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS2.1. SPECIFIC CONCERNS2.2. PROPOSED MODELS2.3. THE VIGIL AND RELATED RITES2.3.1. THE VIGIL FOR THE DECEASED2.3.2. STRUCTURE OF THE RITE2.3.3. THE VALUE OF THE VIGIL2.3.4. DEVOTIONAL PRAYERS AT THE WAKE2.4. RELATED RITES AND PRAYERS2.5. THE FUNERAL LITURGY2.5.1. THE FUNERAL LITURGY WITH MASS 2.5.1.1. Reception at the Church 2.5.1.2. The Liturgy of the Word 2.5.1.3. The Liturgy of the Eucharist2.5.2. THE FINAL COMMENDATION2.5.3. PROCESSION TO THE PLACE OF COMMITTAL2.5.4. THE RITE OF COMMITTAL2.5.5. THE FUNERAL LITURGY OUTSIDE MASS3. THEOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF CHRISTIAN DEATH3.1. A GENERAL CONSIDERATION3.2. CHRISTIAN DEATH AND THE PASCHAL MYSTERY3.2.1. CHRISTIAN DEATH IS DEATH WITH CHRIST3.2.2. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRISTIAN DEATH AND THE SACRAMENTS4.2.2.1. Baptism and Christian Death3.2.2.2. The Eucharist and Christian Death3.3. CHRISTIAN DEATH AND ESCHATOLOGY4. EVALUATION AND CRITICAL ANALYSES4.1. THE ANCIENT CHURCH4.2. THE MIDDLE AGES4.3. THE POST-TRIDENTINE RITUAL4.4. THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL5. CONCLUSIONCHAPTER FOUR. TOWARDS A COMPRATIVE ANANLYSES BETWEEN CHRISTIAN FUNERAL LITURGY AND FRAFRA FUNERAL RITESINTRODUCTION1. THE FUNERAL LITURGY AS A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION1.1. DEATH CALLS FOR THE GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY1.2. FUNERAL LITURGY AS A RITE OF CONSOLATION2. LITURGICAL ELEMENTS2.1.THE FUNERAL RITUAL2.1.1. RITES AT THE HOME2.1.2. THE RITE OF THE WAKE KEEPING2.1.3. THE RITE OF THE FINAL COMMENDATION AND FAREWELL2.1.4. THE BURIAL RITE2.1.4.1. Procession to Place of Burial2.1.4.2. Burial2.2. MEMORIALS AND POST-BURIAL CELEBRATIONS3. A THEOLOGICAL DIMENSION3.1. ESCHATOLOGY AND LIFE BEYOND DEATH3.2. THE PASCHAL MYSTERY3.3. THE THEOLOGY OF THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LIVING AND THE DEAD4. ASSESSMENT AND CONCLUSIONS4.1. A GENERAL OVERVIEW4.1.1. THE WAKE KEEPING4.1.2. THE COMMUNITY4.2. ABSENCE OF A POST-BURIAL RITUAL4.3. SOME CONCLUSIONS5. CONCLUSIONCHAPTER FIVE. TOWARDS AN INCULTURATED RITE OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS. THE SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONINTRODUCTION1. INCULTURATION. A TERMINOLOGY2. THE PRINCIPLES OF INCULTURATION2.1. A GENERAL OVERVIEW2.2. INCULTURATION ACCORDING TO SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM 37-402.2.1. SC 372.2.2. SC 38 & 392.2.3. SC 402.3. INSTRUCTIONS ON SC 37-402.4. ADAPTATIONS ENVISAGED IN SC 402.5. A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE DOCUMENTS2.6. BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL PARADIGMS OF INCULTURATION2.6.1. BIBLICAL PARADIGM OF INCULTURATION: ACTS 15:1-202.6.1.1. The Theology of Luke-Acts2.6.1.2. Peter and Cornelius at Caesarea. Acts 102.6.1.3. The Jerusalem Council. Acts 15:1-202.6.2. A THEOLOGICAL PARADIGM. INCARNATION AND THE PASCHAL MYSTERY2.7. INCULTURATION AND EVANGELISATION3. A WAY OUT OF THE CONFLICT BETWEEN CHURCH AND TRADITION3.1. NEED FOR A POST-BURIAL RITUAL3.2. DIALOGUE AS A TOOL FOR SUCCESS3.2.1. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE3.2.1.1. Challenges of Dialogue3.2.1.2. Fruits of Dialogue3.2.2. SOME PRACTICAL PASTORAL APPROACHES3.2.2.1. The Role of the Community3.2.2.2. Funerals Committee4. NEED FOR CATECHESIS4.1. LITURGY AND CATECHESIS4.2. CATECHESIS AND THE NEW RITUAL5. PROPOSING AN INCULTURATED RITE OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS5.1. FACING THE PANGS OF DEATH. THE ROLE OF ACCOMPANIMENT5.2. PRAYERS AFTER DEATHThe Concluding PrayerPrayer for the DeceasedPrayer for the MournersFinal Blessing5.3. OTHER RITUALS5.3.1. THE RITE OF WASHING THE BODY5.3.2. THE RITE OF CLOTHING THE BODYBlessing of the DressPrayer before Putting on the Dress5.3.3. THE RITE OF THE WAKE KEEPING/VIGILOpening Prayer (adapted)Concluding Prayer (adapted)5.3.4. THE FUNERAL MASSPrayers for the Widow(er) and Orphan(s)The Widow(er)Reception of the CrucifixPrayer over the Orphans5.3.5. THE FINAL COMMENDATION5.3.6. BURIAL AND THE GRAVEBlessing over the Spot for the Grave5.4. THE POST-BURIAL RITUAL5.4.1. NUMBER OF DAYS5.4.2. RITUAL SYMBOLS5.4.3. DAY ONE – KYEA KA-ARE – GATHERING THE MALT5.4.3.1. The Prayer ServiceScripture ReadingBlessing of the Foodstuffs and MaltPresentation of the Crucifix5.4.3.2. The Evening Activities5.4.4. DAY TWO – THE SERVICE OF THE WORDOrder of the ServiceOpening PrayerConcluding PrayerPrayer before the Shaving5.4.5. DAY THREE – KUURE NYU-A (BURNING THE FUNERAL)5.4.5.1. The Presidential Prayers of the MassOpening PrayerPrayer Over the GiftsPrayer after Communion5.4.5.2. Intercessory Prayers during the Mass5.4.5.3. Offertory Gifts5.4.6. DAY FOUR – BLESSING AND REDEDICATION OF THE HOUSEThe Rite of Removal of the CrucifixPrayer of RemovalRite of Blessing the HousePrayer of BlessingPrayer of Blessing for the Widow(er) and OrphansPrayer of Blessing over all the People PresentConcluding Rite5.4.7. LITURGICAL COLOURS6. CONCLUSIONGENERAL CONCLUSIONAPPENDIX 1. MAPSAPPENDIX 2. FRAFRA TRADITIONAL HOMEAPPENDIX 3. FUNERAL PICTURESAPPENDIX 4. GLOSSARYAPPENDIX 5. QUESTIONNAIRE AND ANALYSIS APPENDIX 6. FAREWELL SONG