adminArron Nyamayaro recently in Masembura
Mbuya Stella Chiweshe’s unique burial left Masembura villagers amazed and disappointed at the same time as they were not allowed to witness her body wrapped in a cloth and reed mat being placed in the grave.
A number of villagers waited for hours hoping to witness the actual burial, but they were not allowed to witness the private burial.
An announcement had been made that only close family members would be allowed to witness the burial.
One villager told H-Metro that he was shocked by the size of the grave, as it looked small for a coffin to fit.
“I was among the people digging the grave and I questioned family members if the coffin was going to fit. To be honest, I suspected weird things looking at the grave size we were asked to prepare.
“Unomhanyisa pfungwa nekufungira zvisirizvo saka pandazonzwa neguhwa kuti varikubvisa mutumbi voradzikwa pasina coffin ndipo ndazonyevenuka,” he said.
The villager also said such a burial has never happened before in their village.
“We have never witnessed such a burial.
“We read and heard about it, and I wanted to see how they would do it.
“If the body was not in a coffin, I have no questions about it.
“We respect the family for sticking to what was requested by Ambuya Chiweshe.”
Several calls for non-family members and the media to excuse them for a private burial were made, but the villagers did not leave.
A family meeting was conducted while villagers waited for the outcome.
Ambuya Stella Chiweshe’s daughter, Virginia Mukwesha, 57, had to address the mourners.
“An announcement has been made several times about our intention to lay my mother to rest privately.
“Let me clarify for the last time that my mother wanted a secret burial.
“Only family members only will witness the burial, and she did not want her body to be viewed by children as well as non-relatives,” said Virginia.
Online Reporter