Have you ever Imagined losing your loved one to the painful jaws of death only to be later prohibited from taking part in their final send off rites due to traditions?
Well, such is the case of Gilbert Nanzushi, the husband to the now famous Kakamega quintuplets mother who lost her life following medical complications that resulted after she delivered her bundles of joy.
Yesterday saw Mr. Gilbert barred from taking part in the burial rites of his late wife. This, according to David Munyanya, from the Banyala sub-tribe who was conversant with the ceremonies conducted was to appease the spirits and cleanse the home.
Dressed in a black suit and white shirt, he sat in the family tent next to his four children and mother Melsa during the funeral service but did not eulogise or move closer to the casket bearing the remains of his wife. He was expected to go back home at dusk.
The elders explained that for the widower to survive, he was not supposed to move closer to his wife’s open grave lest he invites a curse.
Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and several leaders joined family, friends and relatives to bid Namukhula farewell. Oparanya expressed his condolences to the family saying it was a big loss to the county, terming the burial a ‘county funeral’.