Balatchi people no longer allowed to keep corpses in morgues
The order is from Fon Fouo Kenfack Tanga Foutsop II. Signed this August 11th 2022, the Fon has prohibited the depositing of corpses of sons and daughters of Balatchi in mortuaries except in extreme cases. Henceforth, all deceased persons from this village must be brought back immediately for burial.
The 2 page document contains 9 articles clearly stating the rules and regulations for burial and funerals in the village situated in Mbouda sub division in the Bamboutos division of the West region.
“Funerals will be done without festivities and burial homes will be reduced to one except in extreme cases.”
Fouo Kenfack Tanga Foutsop II also says that during burials, just one hour will be given for prayer sessions. In addition, families are no longer allowed to ask sons and daughters in-law to supply items according to their personal wishes. From now on, they will only be expected to give wrappers, blankets, a crate of beer, F CFA 20.000 for a coffin, 10 litres of palm wine and a hen/cock just like it was the case back in the days.
Also, during this period, only close relatives of the bereaved will be authorized to wear specific clothes: all others attending the said burial must be in black.
All these burial rights and funeral must be performed within an 8 day period and violations will be punished according to tradition.
