My First Funeral in Rwanda!

  Innocent's Dad's Uncle was a Priest.  

He died very suddenly after a brief time of illness brought on by a fever on Mon. evening. 

He was living in Burundi so they did services there first and then brought him to Rwanda for burial.  He was only 54 years old.

This is his picture and casket in front of the church. 

He had lived in Rwanda, Congo and Burundi.  And he must have been 

a well loved and respected man because there must have been 350-400 people at this funeral.  His name was Ignace Samulenzi.  In English we would say Samuel Ignatius.

Everyone here always gives you their last name first and 

then the name by which people address them.  

The other interesting thing about that is that not very many people (if any) have the same "last" or first name. There are no given family names so each person really 

has their own name!  

I believe that Samuel's "first" name, Ignace, is his priestly identification and is
 actually a Latin name.  

All of these priests assisted at the funeral.
I think they were representing all the places he had lived
and of course, Rwanda where he was born. 

  

 The choir was great and they sang many songs with many verses!
Some of them sounded bright and cheerful and 
when the congregation knew the song they all sang along.  
There were no song books.

In blue were Children from the school in Burundi.
They held a service there for Samuel and then they all came here to
honor his life and for his burial.  The service started at 10 and ended at 1:30.
Several people spoke, including Samuel's very aged Father.  He sounded 
very strong, but his body was very frail and he was in a wheelchair.  It was
very moving, even though i couldn't understand a word anyone said. 

 I had asked Innocent what i should wear and he said... 
probably something black or dark.
These women and many others were in white and some where in regal purple silks. Apparently, many family members dressed the same, as well.
These women and many others followed the casket out while carrying burning candles. 

 I don't know if these girls were family or assisting in some way.
But aren't they beautiful in these white dresses?

 All of the flowers were like this.. Instead of sprays for flowers they
were all designed like center pieces. walking

At the conclusion of the service the casket was taken out followed by the other priests and all those attending at the service.  We met up with Innocent's parents and his 3 aunts and gave them a ride to the cemetery.  Well, it wasn't really a cemetery.  The burial place was in a monastery like setting where only priests are buried.  As we are driving along...I notice all the people from the service are walking along the sidewalks. 
They were all going to the burial site!! There must have been at least 100 or more. And it was at least 1/4 of a mile from the church to the site.   People kept steaming in 
from everywhere. We parked and walked a long way through this park-like setting.

 This was about 1/3 of the people before all the rest arrived.

They just kept coming on all 4 sides.

 Innocent went inside the fenced area and took the next few pictures.
They did have 2 videographers there.

These are Samuel's parents.  It was this man that spoke
among 6 others at the service and he is speaking again here
at the burial site.  I don't know how he did it.  
And i never saw a tear in any one's eyes!   
That was amazing to me.  I think people are private with their grief here.

 I don't know what is happening here. But hand washing is
something traditional so either that is what this is or it is the 
holy water 

 These are all the flowers i was talking about.. They too, just
kept coming and people kept carrying them in. 

Right as the service was ending it started to rain.  Just a little at first
and then it started to pour and pour. 
What was supposed to happen after the burial was that
everyone goes to an area with many wash basins on the 
ground and everyone washes their hands. 
Then it is off to a large reception type room for a Fanta.

Due to this rain... or Downpour.. that didn't happen. 
We ended up driving Innocent's folks home after the service ended. 

Apparently the funeral process lasts about a week here with
most things happening in the home.  Family members continue
to help their loved ones cope and strive throughout that week.


I was hoping to get to got to a Rwanda Wedding, but hadn't thought about 
going to a funeral.  The Rwandans are such a patient people and I believe
quite methodical.  This week and service exemplifies that.  


Since i don't know the words from the service or the grave side i really 
can't tell you much about the content.  But i can tell you that from all the people 
present... the content of this man's life must have been incredible. 


love,
margie