"Igba Mkpe" or Traditional Mourning

                                "Igba Mkpe" or Traditional Mourning

Igba Mkpe”, means the observation of period of mourning. At this period, the putting on of mourning cloth is very important. The picture below is a replica of Igbo Traditional Igba Mkpe, which starts on the burial day.
In the tradition of  Ndi Igbo, “Izu asaa” (seven Market days) should pass before a husband or wife starts going out for public gatherings.

 During this period, the mourner is not expected to wake up too early to visit people outside their home. This can also be observed by the relations especially by the children of a deceased man or the husband and children of the deceased woman.
 It is compulsory that the hair of a woman be cut by her fellow women after the corpse of her husband is buried. Also a man whose wife’s corpse is buried should cut his hair as a respect for his wife. This cultural observance is a mark of respect to the dead and its spiritual significance cannot be over emphasized. Ndi Igbo who do not observe “Igba Mkpe” (Period of mourning) of their late relations are attracting unwanted troubles to themselves.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Some Words Used to Descibe Gone So Soon

In Dike Anaa – Gone so soon, I try to buttress some points concerning the inescapable traditions that every Igbo person should know and note, that the   “Ọnwụeruighịeru”,meaning, “ sudden death”   or “early exit” from the planet earth, going rampantly round Igbo land can be curbed in our holy land. “Gone so soon”, in Igbo language means,   "Ila n'oke   oge", fully interpreted as” Onwu erughi eru”. This is the slogan used to describe people who die young and suddenly. This experience is increasing daily.  The funeral homes in Igbo land have become a fast growing businesses, making lots of money from selling of caskets and other ancillary services. In some communities, weekly there are more than three to four burials.  It really saddens the heart to witness young men and women being thrown into the ground as a result of ignorance of the traditional values of Igbo land.    The most dreaded traditional rite that really levels young people is t...
Read more

The Traditional Rite of Goodbye is Strictly Observed

Image
                               The Traditional Rite of Goodbye is Strictly Observed For a deceased man, his immediate village people and maternal home people should be fed according to their traditional requirements and not just whatever pleases the chief mourner. After that, He will give the maternal home people the following; 1 matured goat, 4 big tubers of yam, 1 cock, 1 bottle of hot drink etc. There may be differences in localities. The gift of a cow to the maternal people is optional . For a deceased woman, her maiden home people and matrimonial home people should be fed according to their traditional requirements and not just whatever pleases the chief mourner. After that, the chief mourner will give the maiden home people the following; 1 matured goat, big tubers of yam. There may be differences in localities. The gift of a cow to the maiden people is optional. The age of t...
Read more

Dike Anaa – Gone so soon !. Introduction to A Guide to the DON'TS OF IGBO TRADITION AND CULTURE

Image
                               Dike Anaa – Gone so soon . SAY NO TO THE UNTIMELY DEATHS IN IGBO LAND   A guide to The DON’TS of Igbo tradition and culture I welcome you to igbotradition.blogspot.com    A Blog that discusses the issues that lead to untimely deaths in Igbo Land. You are free to make your comments and contribute as it touches you and your area. The aim of this blog is to kick-start discussions on our rich traditional beliefs and how to stop the raging trend of Dike Anaa – Gone so soon in Ala Igbo. I welcome you with these kola nuts                                AND WISH THAT YOU DISCUSS OUR IGBO MATTERS WITH OPEN MINDS. The matters discussed in “ Dike Anaa – Gone so soon ”, a...
Read more