How Africans appeased the dying to avoid being haunted by spirits

An enactment of a Zulu death ritual, showing the Witchdoctor or Sangoma in the foregroung and behind, the Zulu warriors. [File, Standard]

The dead command respect among most African communities. The reverence is, however, borne out of fear of the dead person more than genuine respect inspired by good deeds.

Most African belief systems elevate the dead to spirits, with the power to protect, harm, hinder or intercede with gods on behalf of individuals or the whole community.

"A dead person is not your relative anymore, you must be careful how you handle anything to do with them," says Beatrice Vuhugwa.