Funerary posts of the Sara people of Chad / Nii O. Quarcoopome and Celestin Clamra

Object Details

Author

Quarcoopome, Nii O..

Clamra, Célestin

Smithsonian Libraries African Art Index Project DSI

Color illustrations, map.

Since 2002, Clamra has been conducting field research under the direction of Quarcoopome on Sara funerary posts, which are abstract wood sculptures. Most Sara people today retain their indigenous African religion, a central belief of which is that the dead become spirits. Before they do, however, they have to be appeased by proper rituals culminating in the erection of one or more carved wooden memorial posts placed on the deceased's grave. Grave posts symbolize the presence of the dead in the living world.

There are two Sara funerals a year apart. During the second one, the grave posts are erected. This second ceremony, with prayers, incantations, animal sacrifices, dancing, eating and drinking, is repeated in the following two years. Only then will the wandering spirit be transferred to the world of the dead. Grave posts last 50-80 years then collapse and cease to have value. The Sara language is included in the Madi and Mangbetu clusters of Central Sudanic languages. The Mangbetu are known for their art. The Sara cluster, however, had been little researched, although the Sara are known for their abstract iron throwing knives. According to Sara oral tradition, they came from an unknown location in the Nile Valley. The stylistic affinities between Sara grave posts and those of Sudan and Ethiopia attest to their historical and linguistic ties. The authors also note that they may be a connection between Madagascar and East African coast grave posts and those of the Sara, but the Sara's tend to be much more abstract.

AFAINDEX5

2006

Call number

N5310.7 .W927

Type

Articles

Place

Chad

Africa

Smithsonian Libraries

Topic

Sara (African people)--Funeral customs and rites

Sara grave posts

Grave posts

Sculpture, Sara

Record ID

siris_sil_913913

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0