August 2009

The funeral of Albert Pepa

" For Grandpa ... I love you very much "

After 10 days of vigils and preparations, my stepfather was buried August 8 in his native village, NKOLMETET.
Here we are in Mbalmayo, the day before, a cult-bye to the chapel.

Peace to your soul

Pepa Do not be shocked, Cameroon, is photographed and filmed the funérails and shot them dead too!

my two step-sisters: Marie Claude (from Germany) and Sylvie

Adele White, the widow may choose to wear black or white, 1 year (in general)

In joy and in sorrow, songs and dances are featured

Damaris and Iman

Nelson tries to console his granny

old church

Soultine Kameron and his cousin, opened the procession

Iman in the arms of Chouchou

Kam and Soultine inseparable

smile is also to go through our Tiny Tots!

family

moms village

reunion

arrived in the village

the job superintendent and his young assistant

As Aunt Louise, you dig the grave behind the family home

installation of a water tower for the occasion (no running water in the village)

Franky and his older brother, Jonas

installation of tents for guests (2000 people expected!)

My stepfather was a personality and not least ... It was, among other things, a founder of the CRTV, the " CAMEROON RADIO TELEVISION "(national chain)

The pantry ... According to tradition, an ox was slaughtered the entire family is divided

The entrance to the house: the palm leaves are used both for weddings and for funerals

One of the 3 kitchens External ladies at work !

My step-sister Sylvie (yellow)

Jaret of the famous beef

guest facilities

's house Uncle AKOA, the older brother of Albert

Iman and Ernestine last baby, my niece

Kam Soultine Grandpa and carrying a big part of that famous beef! Again, do not be shocked! The meat is eaten cooked in Africa so there is no poisoning America!

stroll through the village before the big evening

Franky finds his "nanny" of childhood! Bursts of laughter as he recalls some anecdotes: I learned by example that my husband and child was a terrible villain: he saved all the time! So tired, this gentleman decided to attach it to his wrist with a rope so he could not escape him, even during his nap! (Apparently, he has done well see!)

three sisters of Albert

A team of CRTV has also mobilized to honor their former colleague (PA sites for facilitation of the evening)

Meanwhile, work is progressing with Nestor become specialist in spite of him digging graves (note the difference in practices across cultures: France, the coffin is buried in a hole bare ground and the focus is instead on the tombstone ...)

Here in Cameroon, the vault is tiled or decorated and then sealed with a concrete slab before being covered with earth.

In the family house: the living room is transformed into a mortuary ...

Traditionally, the widow and the deceased should not be left alone: the family take turns throughout the day and night to ensure the 2

Nelson, unflappable, takes a bath with outdoor Chouchou Iman and her two older sisters gagas!

The night is already there, the evening begins.

There we sing, we pray, we dance, we eat (drink ...), it shows ... overnight!

The next day, the funeral sequence emotion ...

Then it's a stately procession from the entrance to the village to the family home: first, the band

... followed by the deacons

... Then the elders of churches

and finally, Pastors

new procession open this time by the grandchildren, to where the cult funeral will be held

Welcome by Daniel Cousin direct Franky

worship

beautiful testimony of Jonah, surrounded by his brothers and sisters: Franky, and Marie-Chantal Claude

Testimony of Albert's older brother, uncle AKOA

My French family was represented Grenoble by our friends, Francoise, Christiane and Michel came to spend a few days holiday in Cameroon ... Of course, the funeral of my stepfather was not in their original program! I thank them for their warm presence again ...