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2016

Of Water and the Spirit Essay Questions

December 16,

1. Analyze the Grandfather Bakhyes mortuary (death) ritual. What type of ritual
is this and specifically how so? Apply the three stages of initiation to his
funeral. Provide 2-3 detailed examples of symbols that are present during the
liminal phase. Refer back to Initiation Rituals in Detail. How is Grandfather
Bakhye specifically neither here nor there during the liminal phase? How does
this funeral differ from your own experiences with funeral? Be specific with at
least two examples.
In the Dagara culture, if an individual dies outside of his territory/ land, he must walk
back for proper burial, even though he is in the after life. This was the case for
grandfather Bakhye, and this is how his ritual begins, with him walking back to his
house from the mission hill. The people must retrieve his body and prepare his corpse
by shaving his head and cleaning the body. His room was also prepared and cleaned so
that everything was in order and a meal was prepared in the mean time. His room was
cleaned by organizing the medicine and gourdes, while also preparing the upside down
kitchen for the last meal. In honor of his spirit, the prayer of the dead was recited and
the room was transformed to a kitchen. The reason why they prepared a meal and
turned the bed room into a kitchen, is due to the belief that grandfather Bakhye will be
on a journey and the community doesnt want him to arrive with the ancestors on an
empty stomach. So, just as the Egyptians bury their leaders with treasures for after
world wealth, the Dagara culture symbolizes good fortune to their deceased by making
sure their elders and leaders leave with a full stomach, so that their journey is more
pleasurable. This ideological ritualistic practice was only performed for people of great
importance in the community and contains three stages: identity change, the symbolism
of death, and ceremonial burial. The reason why this is an ideological ritual is due to the
fact that the ceremonies portray codes of proper behavior within the community and
promotes solidarity, while assisting the community through the crisis.

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During this period, grandfather Bakhye was neither in the ceremonies nor was he
not present, but was in-between the spirit and living worlds which allowed him to be
summoned for certain ritualistic practices during the ritual, by leaving his body,
grandfather Bakhye had escaped the laws of physicality (pg. 51). Grandfather Bakhye
was enabled to rejoin the living through the powers of the hyena tail, a symbol of great
power for the dead which allows them to interact with the living. The entire funeral
process spanned three days, while grieving usually takes up most of the first day,
progressively getting better as the funeral process goes on.
The Dagara funeral service was extended much longer than funerals I am use to.
Grandfather Bakhyes funeral ritual lasted for three days, whereas funerals I am
accustomed to last around maybe two to three hours. During these days, the Dagara
perform dances, mourn, interact with the person through summoning, eat hearty meals
and come together as a community. The Dagara also give off a festive vibe to the
situation, whereas funerals I am use to mourning and that is all, with the exceptions of a
few words and a brief service. The Dagara mourn the first day however, sing and play
songs with tambourines and xylophones throughout the ritual.

2. Compare and contrast the traditional education within Somes culture to the
seminary education he receives. Use at least 2-3 specific and detailed
examples to highlight any similarities or differences. Next: compare and
contrast (using 2-3 detailed examples) both of these forms of education to
your own education.
In Somes culture, the children are supposed to adopt their cultural ways from the
interactions with their grandfathers. Story telling from the grandfather in the Dagara
culture was a primary source of information for the grandchildren. Other than interacting

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and asking the grandfather questions, the only other source of information the children
retained was from physical acts. That is why the grandfather was so influential, all
knowledge and rituals were taught through the passing down of stories by the
grandfather to the child.
When Malidoma was brought to the seminary, he was expected to know French
for the sermons given at mission hill. He was also expected to memorize Latin Bible
quotes, for enrichment of the sermons. The education he received at the seminary was
far different than he was accustomed to in the Dagara community. Malidoma had to
learn about the geography of certain continents and introductory science and
mathematics was also taught. However, the thing that had to be the strangest to Some,
was the Christian reading and songs he had to proctor. Not only was he never
introduced to this God before, but he had never heard of most of the words he was
required to read and analyze, making his stay difficult and tedious compared to normal
school enrichment in his community requiring only a few technological comparisons
whereas majority of the information is passed down through word of mouth. The
comparisons to his traditional education to the seminarian education, is that in both of
the curriculums the children/ students are taught by an elder in the community. Where it
was the grandfather in the Dagara community, in the seminarian school it was elder
priest and preachers who had prior experience in the fields of study.
Compared to my education, however, I dont think I can really compare my
schooling in college to either the schooling in the seminary or the Dagar community. I
am a major in biology and chemistry, and am currently taking classes on organic
synthesis of alcohols from aprotic reagents to form ether oxides and epoxides. In my

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cell biology class, we are learning about the treatment of cancer cells in a human body
and in my insect class we are learning how the Bombykol molecule is responsible to the
sex characteristics of male silk worms. As you can tell, nothing I am currently learning
pertains to geography and or religious practices. I could compare my early childhood,
fifth and six grades, to the level of what Some thinks are difficult. However, this is
normal as in Somes culture, education isnt as heavily relied on as it is in America.
Education has always been my priority and I have always wanted to be a doctor.
Comparing my education to lead up to medical school versus Bakhyes medical
teachings probably has nothing in common. Bakhye was probably taught from his
grandfather how to use medicine and how to properly care for some one, as far as
techniques go. However, in my curriculum, I am first learning about the interconnecting
parts, such as what makes up the medicine that I will later in medical school learn to
use to treat patients. This is also why there are great cultural differences between us
and the Dagara, we simply place more importance on technology over family, this is
how we have progressed throughout time.
3. Why must Malidoma Patrice Some undergo initiation when he returns to his
birth village? What are the concerns of his elders? What type of initiation is
this? How so? Be specific. Analyze the initiation ritual in terms of the three
stages of initiation. Describe at least 2-3 events in detail which happen during
the liminal phase which best typify the womb=the tomb as well as any of the
liminal symbols we have discussed in class and present in the class
materials.
The villagers require Some to be re-initiated due to his lack to retain the customs
and language while apart from the Dagara community for the past 15 years, in hopes
that he will acquire all his old attributes and characteristics. All of the villagers and
elders believe that this is a concern due to the enrichment of cultural awareness in

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Malidoma from the white westerners. The elders do not believe that Some should be
half hearted in the white mans world and a half hearted in their world, causing cultural
confusion.
The initiation that Malidoma undergoes is considered to be revitalization ritual due to
the premise that cultural values are being restored and the members of the society are
trying to better construct the society by educating their old member once again in hopes
of a better constructed society through the revitalization. In the initiation ritual, there are
three stages: separation, liminality, and incorporation. The first stage of separation
requires the withdrawal of people from the current status while moving into an alternate
status. This begins by Malidoma finding his mission by crawling through a cave to
retrieve a shiny shell which tells of his meaning in life. Additionally, Some and the other
children were stripped naked and taken from the village and brought to the bush where
they spent weeks isolated from others, allowing for the spiritual connection to their
ancestors. The second step, liminality or transitional step, is the period between the two
states, where the individual is neither in the living or after life, but instead in-between
allowing for the moving of status. Malidoma was required to stare at a tree until he had
a revelation. Some saw completely nothing the first day of staring however the second
day, the tree lady appeared which he began to discuss life with. Some was also tested
when he was required to jump through the passage hole which was the text book
example of the liminality stage where Some felt as if he was between worlds, granting
him access to both. Malidoma also flew to a mountain while in the state and was asked
to find an oblong shaped cave to enter so that he could enter the Kontomble world. In
do so, he had to cross a river bridged by crocaidiles (symbolic to his ancestors and

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family). While in the world, he dreamed of being married and having children, which
broke the law in that community, causing the people to execute him, however just
before he is pushed off of an enormous cliff by his dreamed wife. He then wakes back
up in the Kontomble world. The last step, incorporation, is when the passage is
consummated and the rite has been completed allowing for the new identity of the
individual to be accepted. This is simply when all the children and Malidoma returned
back to the village from their spiritual journey. After the experience, Some was deemed
spiritual enough and was widely accepted back into his community.
4. Analyze the concept of destiny and naming in Somes culture. Use Malidoma
as an example. Has he met his destiny as far as you can tell? Provide 2-3
detailed examples to support your answer. How do ancestors and
reincarnation fit into this scheme of things? Provide at least one detailed
example to support you answer.
A persons name in the Dagar community has great deal of significance to it. A
name is a life program for its bearer (pg. 20). Nomenclature within the Dagara
community describes the role or tasks the name holder bears and is a constant
reminder to the children of their responsibilities and duties in lifer. Malidoma in his native
language translates to mean be friend with the enemy. After reading this book, I
believe that Malidoma is the proper name given to Some as he was able to conquer and
prosper in two distinct cultures. Some was able to learn the techniques and skills of both
cultures allowing him to be a bridge between the cultures while also allowing him to
provide his community with added knowledge. Malidoma has since visited the western
world and has learned important skills that he will continuously bring back to his people.
This is an accurate description of someone who befriends the enemy white people.
Everything in Malidomas life has lead up to him fulfilling his name. Even when he was

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brought to the seminary, he learned skills, and by earning his bachelors degree his
education allowed him to fulfill his destiny. The fears that Some conquered by attending
university and by flying is astronomical. If you think about it, he is from this miniscule
village where outside contact is rare, and is stolen away to learn about completely
different new things for 15 years, then returns, then leaves yet again to travel to France,
and finally begins touring the world learning new customs to bring back to his people!
This would all be shocking to me and would require some serious soul searching to be
able to leave my people for that long.
Ancestors and reincarnation weigh heavily on the newborn child. The ancestors
souls supposedly communicate to the mother, priests, and grandfather; through this
ritual, the ancestors are able to be heard by the living. The ancestors reveal the childs
true mission in life is and propose possible names for the possible destiny. The
ancestors help the children fulfill their destiny, while also guiding the children throughout
their lives, making sure the children stay on track and are safe in their ventures.