AR leader Amupanda says ‘chief mourner’ is a foreign concept

Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda says the introduction of foreign concepts such as chief mourners has caused confusion and cultural dissonance in society.

An example of a chief mourner was former president Nangolo Mbumba during the two state funerals of Namibia’s third president, Hage Geingob, and founding president Sam Nujoma.

Amupanda tabled a motion in the National Assembly on Tuesday proposing to consider the “confusing foreign concept” of chief mourners and the appropriation of African burial practices.

“From whose cultural tradition does the concept of a chief mourner originate? Beyond chief mourners, there are concerns with how the state conducts burials in a manner
that disregards indigenous customs,” Amupanda said.

He said cemeteries are not merely disposal sites; they serve as cultural compasses.

Growing up, Amupanda said he was advised that if one was lost, one could find one’s way by observing the orientation of grave stones that are traditionally placed facing the setting sun.

In the Zambezi region, for instance, Amupanda said burial customs dictate that women and men are laid to rest according to different orientations.

He said it is required that someone be present inside the grave to receive the coffin or body.

Specific rituals and taboos must be observed, he said, as failure to do so could have spiritual consequences.

The current “theatrics” surrounding chief mourners and state-organised funerals, Amupanda said, pay little attention to these rooted traditions, raising a fundamental question: Are our dead truly resting in peace?

When someone dies in Africa, he said the roles and responsibilities of all are clearly defined and understood.

It is known who must light the fire and who must remove the ashes.

“There is no place for a chief mourner in these customs. The imposition of this foreign title
has led to awkward translations and cultural misunderstandings, ” he said.

Amupanda said this creates a hierarchy of mourning unknown to traditions.

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