Dancing and Stones

Well what do the living leave for the dead? Really what do different cultures leave for the dead as commemoration, or a gift?  I wanted to also find out which of these offerings may or may not survive in the archaeological record.  So I looked at Jewish contrasted with Malagasy traditions. 

So to begin with I chose the example of the Jewish tradition of leaving stones on a grave, this to me is a familiar one, and one I have experienced a fair amount myself in the last four years.   The reason for the stones being left on the grave is for two different purposes.  One because in the ancient times, many times there were no grave stones to mark where the deceased were buried, the stones themselves became the markers to remember where loved ones where laid to rest.

 The second reason came later in Jewish history, and this pertains to remembering the destruction of the two temples around 70 CE and a little earlier.   I would like to add a third reason that I have heard talked about recently, a modern concept that the stones may be considered more environmentaly friendly, and as part of Tikun Olam (helping the world) in modern Jewish faith is present, this is a very good possibility.  As to whether these would survive within the archaeological context, I think that they would do very well, however they may not be recognized for their exact meaning if there is no explanation of Jewish memorial customs present. 

The opposite example I came across was dancing with the dead and rewrapping them in a new shroud as they decompose.  This is a custom given to the dead of the Malagasy people in Madagascar it is called Famadhana.  This is now frowned upon as predominant Christian religion, dancing a jig with the bones of a relative is usually not accepted in the Christian burial traditions.   This tradition is fairly new to Madagascar, and the use of shrouds has been on the decline due to price of silk in the last while.   The dancing is thought to be similar to traditions in Southeast Asia where it is believed that the soul can’t leave the body until the body is decomposed completely, the dancing is told to be to celebrate the kinship.  This quote from a Malagasy man to BBC should sum it up “It's important because it's our way of respecting the dead. It is also a chance for the whole family, from across the country, to come together.”

As to whether this would all carry on and be foreseeable in the archaeological record years from now, that is debatable.  The shrouds and cloth if it is not too far into the future may be noticeable in the archaeological record.  The dancing however will only be seen if stories are taken in as evidence of burial ritual, and/or people are present that are still keeping up the traditions.

So to leave this entry with a question, I want you, the reader, to ponder what you give to the dead? Do you give anything back to the dead?

Jewish Grave Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/catsplay/3368908766/

Famadhana Photo and info: http://www.weirdworm.com/7-strange-funeral-customs/2/