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By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
It was a moment of pain and mourning for the children, family members and people of Unenurhie community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State as the late Mrs. Comfort Edjedi, nee Okpodoko was finally laid to rest on Saturday 6, November, 2021 at her husband’s family compound.
The funeral ceremony which was according to the traditions and customs of the Unenurhie people brought together children, family members, friends, community leaders and thousands of sympathizers from within and outside the community. It was a celebration of Urhobo traditional and cultural ways of life since the deceased was a core adherent of African traditional religion.
In a tribute to his late mother during the night of tributes and songs held at her residence, Mama’s eldest son, Mr. Vincent Edjedi, described his late mother as the best mother in the world.
Hear him: “No other mother like my late mother. This is a big vacuum that can’t be easily filled. She was a mother that took upon herself the burden of her children, no matter the situation or circumstance. She didn’t segregate anybody in the family. My mother was a truthful person. She always stood by the truth at all times.
“As a traditional medicine practitioner and a core adherent of the African traditional religion, my mother won’t do any evil against her children, family members or neighbours. My mother after her early life never went to church again. She practised the African traditional religion to her final days on earth. This is why, we the children, even though we are Christians decided to bury her in the traditional ways of burial of the Urhobo people.
“We refused to do as the practice of some children and families, knowing fully well that, their parents were pagans, but after death, would invite a pastor and a church to conduct a Christian burial for them. This is against Biblical teachings and also against the culture of the Urhobo people.”
Also during the night of tributes and songs, Mama’s eldest daughter, Mrs. Ruth Awhrudjakpor Young, said her mother was more than everything to her in life.
“Can I truly forget this great lost in my life? It will take me real good time to heal this wound in my heart. My mother died at the time I needed her most in my life. In fact, she was too young to die at this time. Truly, the legacies of my mother will continue to live on in our lives and in this community. She was my confidant apart from my husband. She was very helpful to me and my family. My late mother was my beacon of hope and my source of joy. How many of her good stories can I share here? I pray that her soul should find eternal rest with God.”
After the night of tributes and songs, the following day, the body was laid to rest according to the traditions and customs of the Unenurhie people. She was buried in her husband’s family compound.
Thereafter, a reception was put together by the children and family for guests and dignitaries at the Unenurhie Primary School playing field. Here it was truly the celebration of the dead as there were different music artistes, orators and DJs entertaining the teeming crowds of men, women, youths and children. This section ended with the presentation of gifts, including cash presentations to the children by guests.
The finale was the in-laws’ greeting to the children and the family led by the senior in-law, Prince Young Erhiurhoro. This event took place at the family compound. This was another show of Urhobo cultural burial practice, unlike modern day Christian burial where all the activities take place in just one day.
The in-laws’ greeting also coincided with the special mourning day by the community women. It was a double celebration that very day. The in-laws’ greeting ended with the presentation of gifts to the family and children. Seven in-laws went for the greetings.
The late Mrs. Comfort Edjedi, nee Okpodoko died after a brief sickness at the age of 75. She is survived by an aged mother, eight children, 25 grand children, 2 great grand children, two siblings and many family members.
