The Vigil

The day of Mary’s funeral, people arrived by foot, in the backs of trucks, in mini-buses, and even one large old Greyhound-type bus (think 25 years old and well used). 

Women gathered outside the church singing and dancing as they remembered Mary. 

After the casket arrived and was taken to the front of the church (carried by women, of course), six of Mary’s friends, wearing white turban head scarves and white blouses, encircled the casket. 

Holding white candles they kept vigil throughout the service.  Every fifteen minutes or so, new women stepped up, took the candle, and assumed the watch.  The church was filled with over 100 people standing outside the doors and windows. 

Nearly everyone went to the cemetery where another short service was held and special guests were invited to “plant” a long-stemmed rose on the grave.  Immediately following the burial, several hundred guests were invited back to the Chifumbe house for dinner where women had been cooking nshima and chicken for hours.  What a celebration of life!