An Appraisal of the Burial Rituals and Mourning Practices in Mzinti Area, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

The aim of the study was to explore the burial rituals and mourning practices of the Swati people. Death is an unexpected and inevitable event. In the African tradition, when death occurs, the community is a source of support and strength to the family that has lost a loved one. The support from the community is crucial to the healing process of the bereaved as it supresses feelings of loneliness, depression and vulnerability. In most ethnic groups, the bereaved members of the family are believed to be shadowed by a dark cloud, hence the society has a tendency of isolating the bereaved because of the belief that such carry misfortune with them. The study used qualitative research design and data was collected using interviews, observations and focus group interviews. The findings unearthed that burials are not conducted in the same way, they differ according to age, clans as well as ordinary people and those from royalty. Importantly is the oppression of women under the veil of cultural practice. The study recommends the development of sub-institutions that advocate for women's rights, specifically targeting gross human rights violation for mourning women. Also, the traditional leadership should uphold ways of restoring the indigenous practices which are consistent with the constitutional imperatives.