It takes a village to raise a child African proverb
The village, or neighborhood in which I was raised included my grandmother, uncles, aunts, grandaunts and granduncles, older women and men who were friends of my grandparents so they may as well have been grandparents, first, second, and third cousins (including adopted cousins), and members of local churches. Children, because the watchful eyes in the neighborhood, rarely got away with misbehaving. And, if a child misbehaved away from home, more than likely, an adult would make verbal correction with the warning "I am going to tell your grandmother..." It seems, we have gotten away from doing things the "old fashioned" way but I believe, the old fashion way of doing things still work.
Now, my maternal grandfather, very early in my life, was a part of my village. My grandfather passed on when I was about 7 months old and I have been told I was passed over his grave. The passing of a child over the grave of a deceased family member is an African burial practice. My grandmother was born and raised in the Lowcountry of South Carolina so presently, I understand why I was passed over my grandfather's grave. As a child, however, when I was told this happened, I did not understand why and no one in my family could or would tell me why. All I was told was: That's what mama wanted done. Back then, elders were not questioned about anything. You did as you were told and that was that. I found some interesting information regarding African burial practices. Check it out.
DEATH AND DYING AMONG THE GULLAH by Joseph E. Holloway can be found here: http://www.slaverebellion.org/index.php?page=death-and-dying-among-the-gullah
Peace! and Love
until next time
