By Luana M. Graves Sellars
In Gullah culture, there are several burial traditions that have been practiced for generations and others that have been altered over time. The placement of Gullah cemeteries, usually in the proximity of the water’s edge, have headstones and the deceased’s feet facing east towards the sun, because it was thought to enable their spirit to cross the waters and return home to Africa. Seashells were also left at the graveside to connect the deceased to the powerful spirit of water and mark the place where the body is buried.
Years ago, the passing of an individual who had joined the ancestors, was announced by the sound of a drum. Oftentimes, the drum was struck only once, to mark the passing of an individual followed by a combination of beats would also signify the cause of death.
During slavery, funerals were seen as a time to reconnect with the ancestors. Burials could only be held at night and by candlelight, after all of the day’s work was completed.
Within the deceased home, mirrors are covered or turned, so that they can not reflect upon the spirit, while relatives would “sit up” all night with the body until burial, usually the next day. When it was time to remove the body from the house, it was taken out feet first, so that it would not return home.
Once the funeral party would arrive at the cemetery, prior to entering the area, they would wait at the gates to ask for permission to enter from the ancestors. During the service, the family would pass an infant over the coffin several times, to “confuse the spirit” and protect the child from being bothered by the deceased. A ring shout or spiritual shuffle around the deceased was also performed to keep the spirit away.
After the service, personal or favorite household items from the deceased are left behind to “dress the grave”, with personal items from the deceased so that the spirit would not come back home. In some cases, large items marked the gravesite in the absence of a headstone. Possessions left behind included the last plate that was used and other items, including coins, might be left behind to “pay off” the spirit from bothering you if you had not paid off your debts to the individual.
