DEATH FESTIVAL

DURING THE DEATH FESTIVAL IN LIBERIA THE DRUMMERS
ARE AT THEIR BEST. ONE CAN DISTINQUISH THE TRIBE
WHO IS CELEBRATING A DEATH BY THE DRUM TUNES.
THE KRU TRIBE OF WHICH I AM A MEMBER USE A KEROSENE
DRUM WHICH PRODUCES A VERY ANNOYING SOUND TO HEAR.
IT SOUNDS LIKE TEN BABIES SCREAMING TOGETHER.
THE VAI TRIBE USES A GROUND HAND DRUM WHICH IS PITCHED
VERY HIGH. THE BASSA AND KPELLE PEOPLE USE A BIG BASS
UPON WHICH LEATHERED COVERED STICKS ARE USED. ALONG WITH
THE DRUMMERS COMES THE DANCERS. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DRUMMERS
DEPENDS ON HOW IMPORTANT THE DECEASED WAS IN THE VILLAGE
OR THE COMMUNITY. A LOT OF LIQUOR IS THEN CONSUMED AND A
GIGANTIC FEAST IS PROVIDED AT THE EXPENSE
OF THE DECEASED'S RELATIVES AND CLOSE FRIENDS. AT THE BURIAL
AND AGAIN, DEPENDING ON HIS IMPORTANCE IN THE VILLAGE
AND COMMUNITY, THE DECEASED'S VALUABLE BELONGINGS WILL
BE PLACED IN HIS GRAVE. THE BELONGINGS USUALLY
CONSISTS OF CLOTHING, JEWELRIES AND FOOT WEAR. PALM OIL AND
PUSSAVA ARE PLACED ON THE THE DECEASED'S GRAVE BI- MONTHLY
TO APPEASE THE SPIRIT OF THE DEAD.

Submitter comment: DEATH IS CELEBRATED BECAUSE THE KRU, BASSA , KPELLE AND
OTHER TRIBAL PEOPLE IN LIBERIA BELIEVE THAT THE DECEASED'S
TROUBLES ON EARTH HAS FINISHED.
THERE SHOULD BE SADNESS AT BIRTH AND CELEBRATION AT DEATH.

Where learned: LIBERIA ; MONROVIA