Mandela Laid to Rest in State Funeral and Private Burial Ceremony

Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa and one of the world’s greatest political leaders was laid to rest on Sunday following a state funeral ceremony in accordance with Xhosa tradition, a culture of an indigenous ethnic group in the southeast part of South Africa. His body was taken to his family’s homestead in Qunu, Eastern Cape for burial. Mandela was buried next to the plots of three of his children.

Mourning period

The death of Mandela, stalwart anti-apartheid leader, was mourned all over the world for 10 days. In the funeral service held at a huge white marquee, some 4,500 mourners who were relatives, friends and colleagues were present. After 90 minutes of final viewing of his body by family members, military pallbearers carried his coffin to the dome. During the mourning period, his remains lay in state in Pretoria capital for three days and then taken to his home village amid military guards of honor and cannon salute.

Funeral ceremony

The funeral ceremony for Mandela started with the singing of an old Methodist song in Xhosa dialect with lyrics that meant, “Fulfill your dreams.” The national anthem of South Africa was sung in four of the country’s 11 national languages. Many mourners either raised their fists or placed them on their chests during the singing. Symbolic ceremonies followed the speeches with a tribal leader dressed in animal skin joining in the singing and dancing in honor of the late world icon. Mandela’s portrait stood over the crowd while at the back was a ramp of 95 burning candles, each candle depicting every year of his extraordinary life. During the testimonial service in his honor, his flag draped casket was conveyed on a gun carriage and placed on top of cow skin carpet while a lectern was erected above for speakers to deliver their eulogies.

In memoriam

The memorial that took place last week was attended by thousands of South African people and leaders all over the world. President Barack Obama of the United States gave his final tribute to Mandela, a Nobel Peace Price awardee in 1993 and South Africa’s 1st black president. Obama offered his respects and salute to the illustrious political figure who suffered in jail for 27 years because of his stand against apartheid or race segregation. Mandela is credited for working on reconciliation and peace between the blacks and whites after he was set free.

Private funeral

Present in Mandela’s funeral service were officials of South Africa, Prince Charles of Britain, businessman Richard Branson and Morgan Tsvangirai, former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. The final burial ceremony was done in private with his immediate family and close acquaintances. His widow Graca Machel and his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela joined the burial rites performed at the family estate.

Male members of the Mandela clan supervised the private burial ceremony. There was a slaughtering of an ox which is a ritual done to commemorate the significant events of a dead person’s life. The mourners donned customary Xhosa regalia accentuated by a headdress and necklace in blue and white beads. Mandela was called “Dalibhunga” during the ceremonies, his designated name when he turned 16 and instituted into adulthood.

Photo Credit: Kid lighting a candle at memorial outside Mandela Home