The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MOSLEM BURIAL

DURING WORLD WAR II THE AMERICANS FOUGHT THE GERMANS
AND ITALIANS IN NORTH AFRICA. THE MOSLEMS WERE CAPTURED
BY OUR ENEMIES AND MADE TO FIGHT US. THESE MOSLEMS HAD
A UNIQUE WAY OF BURYING THEIR DEAD: THEY DUG A HOLE
ABOUT FOUR FEET DEEP AND STOOD THE CORPSE UP ON ITS
FEET, THEN BURIED HIM COMPLETELY, LEAVING HIS CHEST
ON UP ABOVE THE GROUND LEVEL. THE REST OF THE CORPSE
WAS COVERED BY A MOUNT OF DIRT. WHEN IT RAINED VERY
HARD, THE GROUND WOULD WASH AWAY AND UPPER PART OF THE
CORPSES WERE VISIBLE, MAKING A VERY GORY SIGHT.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO ME AT OUR HOUSE.

Where learned: OHIO ; CANTON

Date learned: 11-26-1967