The funeral of the Zhuang

The Zhuang think that when a person dies it must go to another world, to the world of further away, to which one comes crossing the river of the Hell (Naihe) for the called Bridge of the river of the Hell. Since there it will realize another type of life, it is necessary him to provide with the necessary material elements, otherwise, if he feels uncomfortable, it will return to the world of the alive ones, which it will bother doing of bogey.

When a person dies he is placed on a mat in the soil and announces the news about his death to him. First three shots go off like a general announcement of his death, then the most nearby relatives go out to inform those who live further. One of his children is going to the river accompanied by a monk taoísta to bring water to wash the corpse. After washing him the eyes close him, saying to him "do not look behind at this world". Then the body is covered with the shroud and he is placed in a coffin, which will not close until there comes the maternal uncle of the children of the late one. Then the people cry before the corpse saying goodbye of his relative.

He is placed in the middle of the principal room, along with the tablet of the spirits, with white clothes hanging by the roof. The family remains of wakefulness in the night and day for three or five days, during which rites realize taoístas that must drive to the soul across the river of the Hell, and the condolences of the acquaintances are received.

His sons-in-law have to take a white role horse and other gifts, which are supposed the dead person will use to come to another world.

Spent three or five days of wakefulness, or more in some occasions, the burial is realized. In the coffin there is placed a series of articles about daily use, which the dead person will be able to use in another world. It is celebrated usually in the morning. A covey presided by a monk taoísta, which there follows the family and the guests behind, goes to the place where it will be buried.

Earlier the dead persons were hung on an abyss or on top of some big tree. But this practice has already disappeared long ago.

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