Gravediggers from Magena village in Kisii County on Monday had to endure a tough task of relocating a grave that they had dug in a ‘wrong’ place according to traditions of the Abagusii community.
The grave that had been dug in preparation of the burial of Ms Clara Onsare, who till her demise was unmarried, was dug in front of her parents’ house, contrary to the back of the houses as dictated by the traditions of the community.
According to Mzee Peter Osure, the young men who volunteered to dig the grave had not consulted experienced people and ordered a ritual to be performed to cleanse the place.
“They had to redo the job because they violated the traditions by digging it in front of the house instead of at the back. They should have waited for elders to supervise but there is no big deal because we have to sacrifice a lamb and cleanse the site,” he said.
He said that the Gusii community tradition dictates that a female should be buried behind her parents’ home to signify that she never belonged to the family since she could have gotten married at some point in life.
However, area youths led by Malachi Oiko condemned the ‘complicated traditions’ and urged the old guards to appreciate the fact that times and seasons were changing.
“Things change with time and time has come for us to desist from practising what is not relevant. The most important thing is that one is buried, period,” he said.