When the Dead Come Back to Say Adios.
When someone passes on, it is customary for the living to pay their last respects. But what if the dead also came back to say goodbye? In some parts of Kenya and Africa, such encounters are not uncommon, and each experience is unique.
Stories have been told around the world of spirits returning to bid farewell to the living. Beliefs vary, from the dead watching over their loved ones to spirits consuming food left on graves, or even engaging in intimate acts with their former spouses. Though these may sound like stori za jaba, those who have experienced them swear by their authenticity. In Kenya, some communities view such occurrences as normal and nothing to be feared.
James Andayi, an elder in the Abanyore community, recounts his experience with his departed brother. A high school teacher who passed away in April 2012, his brother was buried at their homestead in Bunyore. Just three days after the burial, Andayi narrates, his late brother made an unexpected return.
“Some people take longer while others come back shortly after they die. We didn’t expect his to be that soon. It was at night. My family had just finished eating dinner and we were chatting as we prepared to sleep. Suddenly, we heard a loud bang on the door and it flung open letting in a dash of strange wind,” says Andayi.
Before they could comprehend what was happening, they heard loud footsteps like those of a farmer in gumboots walking around the house. Andayi immediately recognized the sound as his brother’s, who was a passionate farmer known for wearing gumboots. The spirit moved through the house, bidding farewell to his earthly belongings before leaving.
According to Andayi, this ordeal only took around five minutes. Silence followed, after which they prayed for their brother’s soul to rest in peace. That was the last time they heard from the deceased. “It is very common in our community for departed souls to return, and it mostly happens a few days or weeks after they are buried. Usually, it is the spirit that comes back and not the body,” Andayi notes.
Vitalis Ougo, an African cultural expert, explains that many local communities believe in the return of the spirit to bid farewell to the family. Some communities believe that if their loved one does not come back, then he or she might not be resting in peace. Ougo notes that among the Luo community, the departed soul pays a visit to their wives to “release them,” allowing them to move on with life.
Such beliefs are a way for families to stay connected to their deceased loved ones or gain closure. Stacey Alugo, a certified psychologist, states that these traditions aid in processing loss and are not a psychological problem. “If it is something you’ve been told happens, then your mind is likely to believe it,” she says, adding that cultural practices offer a framework for grieving and maintaining a connection with the deceased.
In conclusion, the belief in the dead returning to bid farewell is deeply rooted in various Kenyan and African communities. These cultural practices offer comfort and closure to the bereaved, helping them process their grief and maintain a connection with their departed loved ones. While modernity and education may be diminishing the prevalence of these rituals, they continue to play a significant role in the lives of those who hold onto them. Whether viewed as folklore or profound spiritual experiences, these stories reflect the rich tapestry of human belief and the enduring bond between the living and the dead.
Article By Suzy Nyongesa.
