By Baraka John
The Azande Kingdom, Western Equatoria State Government and religious leaders have signed a new bylaw aimed at regulating funeral and mourning practices and preserving traditional customs amid growing concerns over the influence of modern entertainment and changing social behaviors.
The bylaw was signed on Monday at St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Parish in Yambio by representatives of the government, the Azande Kingdom, the Inter-Church Committee and interfaith leaders.
The initiative, spearheaded by His Majesty King Atoroba Peni, seeks to restore dignity and respect to funeral ceremonies while safeguarding cultural practices that leaders fear are gradually disappearing.
King Atoroba said the bylaw will provide a framework for chiefs, the Kingdom, government and churches to work together in regulating mourning practices and protecting the cultural heritage of the Azande people.
He expressed concern over the growing use of large sound systems, modern musical instruments and what he described as immoral songs during funeral gatherings.
According to the King, such practices are increasingly being adopted by younger generations and are undermining traditional ways of mourning and showing respect to the deceased.
“This bylaw will help the chiefs, the Kingdom, government and Church regulate mourning practices. If we do not act now, our traditional way of mourning may disappear. The use of modern musical instruments, large sound systems and immoral songs at funerals is undermining respect for the deceased, and our children are increasingly adopting these practices.” King Atoroba Peni said.
The Church has welcomed the initiative, with Archbishop Enosa Samuel of the Internal Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan in Western Equatoria saying religious leaders stand united in support of efforts to preserve cultural values and ensure that deceased persons receive appropriate respect.
He commended the Kingdom, government and churches for coming together to address what he described as an imported culture of mourning involving modern sound systems and inappropriate songs.
Archbishop Enosa said the cooperation between the government, Kingdom and Church demonstrates a shared commitment to protecting the community’s cultural identity.
“As a Church, we stand together in support of this bylaw. We must respect the deceased according to our culture. I commend the Kingdom, government and Church for uniting to regulate mourning practices and address the influence of modern sound systems and inappropriate songs at funerals.” He said.
During the gathering, Governor Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa emphasized the importance of establishing a respectful and culturally appropriate way of mourning and burying community members.
“We have gathered to make an important decision: to restore a customary and respectful way of burying our people and to discourage modern practices that are eroding our traditional ways of mourning and burying our loved ones with dignity.”
The discussions highlighted concerns over the increasing practice of playing loud music and dancing during funerals, including the use of DJs before or after burials.
King Atoroba and other leaders said such practices are inconsistent with traditional mourning customs and diminish the dignity traditionally associated with paying final respects to the deceased.
They attributed the gradual erosion of traditional funeral practices to globalization, modern technology and changing social behaviors, particularly among young people.
The newly signed bylaw is expected to guide funeral ceremonies, mourning periods, community responsibilities and social conduct, while promoting harmony between cultural and religious values.
The signing marks a joint commitment by the Western Equatoria State Government, Azande Kingdom, Inter-Church Committee and interfaith leaders to work together in promoting dignity, respect and communal responsibility during periods of mourning.