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COVID-19 pandemic, burial rituals and grief: perspectives from Africa and Europe 
Convenors:
Senzokuhle Doreen Setume (University of Botswana)
Philipp Öhlmann (University of Botswana)
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Chairs:
Senzokuhle Doreen Setume (University of Botswana)
Philipp Öhlmann (University of Botswana)
Discussant:
Victor Kolo (University of Ibadan, Nigeria)
Format :
Panel
Stream :
Images of the living and dead
Sessions:
Thursday 9 June, -
Time zone: Europe/Berlin

Short Abstract:

In March 2020, WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic, developed protocols to contain the virus. Funereal rites were significantly affected due to restrictions produced unprecedented social dynamics for Africa and Europe. The comparative niche allows for divergent narratives to emerge..

Long Abstract:

On the 11th of March 2020, the World health Organisation declared COVID-19 a pandemic, given its highly contagious nature from interfaces with infected animate and inanimate material. Consequently, protocols were developed to contain the spread of the virus through proper management of burial rituals. This led to more stringent burial rituals in the face of high mortality and morbidities emanating from COVID-19 infection. As a result, burial rituals and bereavement ceremonies were significantly affected by the pandemic. Arguably, funeral rites are important ways through which most societies deal with death and grief effectively. So, cultural prescriptions about the proper burial of the deceased are critical in helping people deal with bereavement. Any compromise on these important factors might have dire consequences for both the living and spirituality. Improper burial rites might have negative impact on people’s social relations, their spiritual and mental well-being. Limiting attendees at funerals gave rise to conflicts due to issues of inclusion and exclusion, and social distancing. Also, the inability to provide food at funerals and denying people the opportunity to view the body of the deceased complicated the process of grieving. These restrictions produced unprecedented social dynamics in funerals in Africa and Europe, as societies had to redefine the social constructs of death, dying and ways of dealing with grief. Therefore, effective counselling rooted on contextual knowledge, understanding and execution of the burial rituals among a people and culture is necessary. The comparative niche of narratives between Africa and Europe will allow for reciprocal, divergent and convergent narratives to play out in recreating notions of rituals and grief. This panel calls for papers that address the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic on burial rituals and grief. It will highlight the challenges to existing theories of ritual and grief as societies adjust in the new normal.

Accepted papers:

Session 1 Thursday 9 June, 2022, -