Mende

Ancestral Spirits

The ancestral spirits refer to the spirits of departed family and community members. Ancestral spirits are the object of much care. Upon dying, and to access the ancestral world, a person must embark on a most critical journey that involves the successful crossing of a river. To assist the recently deceased individual, the living must perform certain rituals, known as tindyamei. Of particular [Page 422]relevance here is the sacrificing and offering of a chicken at the gravesite, 4 days after burial for a man, 3 days for a woman. Failure to perform tindyamei funerary rites properly or at all would have extremely dire consequences for the Dead, who would then be condemned to the unenviable fate of a wandering spirit, as well as for the living on whom it would assuredly take revenge.

The relationship between the living and their ancestors is a dynamic and reciprocal one. It is not uncommon, for example, for ancestral spirits to visit their living relatives, to whom they appear in dreams. Ancestral spirits might pay a visit out of care and protection, but also out of displeasure if they feel neglected or offended. When a person or a family experiences misfortunes (e.g., death, illness, or barrenness), the ancestors are immediately suspected of being responsible. Whatever offense or wrong was committed must be identified without delay and expiated to restore harmony and balance.

Ancestors are also frequently included in ceremonies at the beginning of harvest times. The first rice harvested (rice is the main staple of the Mende people) is prepared with palm oil by the medicine man or woman and offered collectively to the ancestors. The purpose of such offerings is to acknowledge the ancestors' critical role in bestowing blessings on the community of the living, such as plentiful crops.

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