PATRICIA MOYO
NEWS REPORTER
Cemeteries are meant to be a place of peace, respect, and remembrance for the dead. However, in recent times, they have been subjected to various forms of disrespect and misconduct.
At the cemetery, loved ones can take time to be “with” their dearly departed, think back on what they shared on this life above ground and the fact that if one is a believer of after life, that they will be joined again in heaven.
It is, therefore, disheartening to see people engaging in activities like making out, getting frisky, or even playing loud music in cemeteries. Such behavior is not only insensitive to those who are grieving but also disrespectful to the dead.
What is worrisome is that many visitors to the graveyard are being mugged in broad daylight.
Yesteryear people used to visit the grave site with respect and honor, demonstrating some form of reverence.
Cultural norms and values used to be followed when visiting the cemetery, these included speaking in low tones, avoiding stepping on the grave, not sitting on the grave, not taking children to the graveyard (for some cultures), kneeling by the grave and several other norms depending on one’s background.
Nowadays, cemeteries have become pathways for passersby, they have become picnic spots, lovers’ paradise, weed smoking arenas, treasure hunting sites as well as mugging places.
Zim GBC News revisited Christopher Chinamora who was mugged sometime ago when he was walking along Westpark Cemetery in Bulawayo.
“As you may recall, I was coming from visiting my sick niece, she is now late, I was attacked by three young men walking along the rail line behind SOS school”. He reminded this publication.
“I fought them fiercely and they ran away, I targeted one whom I chased after with the help of Madzibaba who were praying on the opposite side.”
Asked on why such an incident would happen by the graveyard, he responded.
“Singasola ukuswelakala kwemisebenzi, or the present government, but abantu abasahloniphi. Abasawazi amasiko, abasazazi indawo ezizilayo. Before me, kwakutshaywe umfazi lendoda ababezofaka amaluba engcwabeni lomntanabo owayengcwatshe khonapho. Its simply lack of respect lokuhlanya.”
We may blame unemployment emanating from the present government but people have lost respect and no longer no sacred places, they are lost in cultural norms. Before i was mugged a husband and wife were beaten up and their valuables taken when they visited their late child’s grave. This is insanity.
It is important to remember that cemeteries are not just a physical space but a repository of history and culture. Every grave has a story, and every tombstone represents a life that was once lived. Therefore, it is society’s responsibility to ensure that cemeteries are respected and preserved for future generations.
But it is the current generation that has lost it as depicted in the video accompanying this story. (Video above).
This generation is the one that picnics by the graveyard, they walk or step on graves, play music, pass-by, shout at each other play hide and seek, mug mourners at the grave site.
Sacredness is ancient to this current generation.
Anything that is fostered as a taboo in many cultural aspects, is actually tried and experimented on.
Gogo MaSibanda complained bitterly on what is currently taking shape at our graveyards.
“Izinto zezantshintsha mntanami, liqiniso umhlaba uyaguquka. Wona amagodi ngokwawo awasela hlonzi. Akusela space esiwayehlukanisayo. Labagebhayo begebha angathi balima ingadi. Bayabebememezana, bedlala imusic esemafonini abo, bexoxa bezihlekela.“
Life has evolved indeed, even the size of the graves, there is no longer adequate space in between. Even the grave diggers, they play music from their cellphones, they shout at each other they converse and laugh in loud voices.
She went on to say that what disturbs her being is that people are normalising the abnormal. Lack of respect to the dead person is a serious taboo with serious cultural consequences. It is unfortunate that the results of behaving against cultural norms affects an individual and many may not know or realize that the insanity of a certain person would be a result of defecating, misbehaving and disrespect of the graveyard.
It is, therefore, crucial to understand and acknowledge the importance of cemeteries as a place of peace, respect, and remembrance. To prevent disrespect of cemeteries, we should conduct ourselves in a respectful manner by obeying cemetery rules, avoiding loud noises, and refraining from any activities that may disturb the peace and sanctity of the place. By doing so, we can preserve the history and culture that cemeteries represent and honor the memories of those who have passed away.
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