The day the body arrived. (Most of these pictures are from Laurence because I was amongst the community shedding my own tears
The body was carried to the middle of the Mambis square.
All gather round the body to say their goodbyes
In the days that followed hundreds from many different tribes gathered in Mambis
Speeches were made and gifts like these cokes were given and redistributed
After 3 days of this there was a formal funeral (no pics were taken) and then we left to bury the body
It was a great processional
About half a mile down the road, we arrive at Sam’s land
It takes a bit of doing to cross the bridge (which was really only a log)
And up the hill (you can see me in the bottom right corner)
At the top of the hill the hole has been dug
The body is laid on small planks
Sam’s mother and wife kiss the box
Closest family and friends gather round
All wail and pull out bits of hair to show respect
Pastor Kambu offers a final blessing
Sam’s father Kungu gives instructions for burial
The body is buried, but the grief is not
Sam and Agus’s oldest son, Bower. One of their three children.
I don’t know what this woman was gesturing, but somehow it seems to bring me hope.