Twerking at a funeral? The bizarre world of burial rituals

AS THE saying goes “there is a time and a place for everything” and sometimes funerals are the best times for South Africans to fully express themselves.

This was the case recently when popular Pretoria stripper Mduduzi “Cardbury” Zwane – gunned down in Atteridgeville last week – was buried. Videos trended on social media, showing male and female exotic dancers dancing and gyrating in celebration of Zwane’s life.

Here we take a look at the more unusual world of SA’s funeral rituals.

Underworld bosses burials

It is not unusual for gangsters and underworld bosses to have gunshots being fired off when the coffin is being lowered into the grave.

In the Cape Flats, it’s common practice for the coffin to be paraded in the streets so the entire community can pay their respects.

A flashy hearse is always on standby but someone is sure to get behind the wheel of a car and take several spins around the hearse to the delight of the cheering crowds.

Fake mourners

Sometimes, people find themselves without mourners. There are now groups of professional mourners you can hire for the day. They will cry on cue throughout the funeral proceedings.

The funeral tour

One day is usually set aside to say goodbye to your loved one. With the coffin loaded into the hearse you can do a tour around the neighbourhood and arrange for every stop to have a different vibe – flowers thrown at the hearse or, at another spot, play upbeat music and dancing.

Funeral twerkers

A video featuring young women in skintight dresses twerking alongside a friend’s open grave in Soshanguve went viral. Loud music was blaring with attendees cheering them on. Whether this is a new trend, remains to be seen.