A funeral

Here are some photos of a funeral I went to a while ago. I’m close with the deceased woman’s son, so this is the first time I’ve been able to take photos of each stage of a Beninese funeral.

An old man speaking at the first part of the funeral, outside the family's house.

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Children watching the funeral, and one watching me.

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A little girl named Rosaline. The funeral is for her grandmother.

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Everyone moves from the family's house to the graveyard.

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The graveside ceremony.

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Two of the dead woman's sons.

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The funeral reception.

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At the reception.

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A boy selling tchoukoutou, millet beer brewed in-village, at the reception. You drink it out of the gourd shells in the foreground.

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A drummer. He pulls the leather cords to tighten the drumhead and change the drum's pitch.

Another drummer showing his son how to play.

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An old man dancing.

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Two young men dancing after dark, with a crowd gathered round.

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