The Death of Lewanika
by Sibimbi Maibiba
"All next day, as the news of Lewanika's death spread quickly through the country, groups of natives were to be seen wending their way to the capital for the funeral ceremonies. By Sunday, February 6th, the late king's sisters had arrived at Lealui; so there was no further delay. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="431"]
Last funeral voyage of King Lewanika, Lialui to Nanikelako, 1916. All rights reserved Paris Mission Society[/caption]
Following native custom, the body must be transported to the burial-place in the large canoe by which the deceased was wont to travel. This was done. The body was solemnly transferred to the canoe and placed there, with the face toward the east. The water being too low to float the canoe, the whole was carried by willing hands as far as the canal, where it was lined up to lead the procession stern first.
How unique is the symbolism of reversing the canoe when-ever it serves as a funeral bier! All the dead among the Barotse travel this way, if borne in a canoe. "It is a last regret," says the missionary Ellenberger, "a last struggle; the man, borne down, as it were, and vanquished, yet stays himself in one last effort of resistance; forced to advance, but doing so backwards lest he should see that great Victor, dreaded by heathenism, that Victor whom we call death".
Source: Journal of the Royal African Society, Vol. 16, No. 62 (Jan., 1917), pp. 149-154
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