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Washing of Dead Bodies in Sierra Leone

By Ezekiel Nabieu

The greatest desideratum in attitude change in this country as at now is for our compatriots to cease from the ancient practice of washing and dressing up their dead against all prohibitions. A recent survey confirmed what I had said earlier that it is the half-baked that are more responsible for the doubts that Ebola is real. Which is why Freetown that hosts most of the semi-literate citizens topped the list of denials. This reminds me of the Arabic quotation that says in part “He who knows not and knows not he knows not, he is a fool-shun him…” Let me also state “A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep or taste not the  Pierian Spring…” says Alexander Pope. These quotations put all those charlatans in their proper places. This should point out to the government the value of good education.

Sometimes some Christians are misled by sticking to literal interpretations of the Bible out of context. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15 it is written “So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.” A tradition is a generational concept coming from the Latin word trado meaning “I'll hand over.” This does not in any way argue that there are no bad traditions. There are indications in the Bible when people were advised to be quarantined to save them from the spread of the pestilences. It should be realized that certain traditions have a great retarding force and the tradition of washing dead bodies has proved not only to be retarding but also to be deleterious. Jesus said, inter alia, “You leave the commandments of God and hold fast the traditions of men.” Mark 7:8

Safe Burials Save Lives

This is the new slogan found in the media with a virus S added to the word Save. Safe burials have to do with the safety of the living rather than the safety of the dead. The focus of the mourners is usually due to superstition arising from the weakness of the human mind. The feeling that the in-dwelling of the spirit even in the dead body is ever present.

In this regard there is a wrong concept of the extension of love to the dead because of this. In spite of the numerous accounts of deaths in the Bible washing of the dead has not been highlighted. Angels have nothing to do with dead bodies which return to the dust and ashes from whence they come. Washing of dead bodies is therefore a useless exercise in futility to satisfy the vanity of the living.

QUESTION TIME

The Bible in Mathew 12:25 states: knowing their thoughts, he said to them “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”

1 (a) Similarly can a sports ministry divided against itself fielding two coaches for a single match stand?

(b) When will SLFA stop having a drubbing?

2 (a) For whom are the proposed translations of the 1991 constitution being prepared?

(b) Will the translators not find something useful to do?

© Is it not known that even Krio translations are not read by most people who can read in English?

3 (a) What is sycophancy?

(b) Is the lyric thanking Pa Ernest for his “efforts” in the fight against Ebola not the height of sycophancy?

© Can a Sierra Leone Mandela seek for a third term when Mandela himself did not seek even for a second term with all the positive chances he had of winning?

4 (a) What is the historic link between Secretary of States John Kerry and Kerry Town of Treatment Centre prominence?

(b) Can the United States Embassy --- an answer?

© Politico 19/11/14

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