Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Did you know?

1. No African country names begin with the letters F, H, I, J, O, P, Q, V, W, X, or Y.

2. Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent.

3. The Republic of the Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa.

Natural Burials in Africa

Natural burial practices in Africa are sustainable and eco-friendly options and have been practiced for thousands of years. 

Natural burial is a type of burial that seeks to minimize the environmental impact of traditional burial practices. 

Natural death

It involves burying the body without embalming fluids, in a biodegradable casket or shroud, in a location that allows for natural decomposition of the body. 

In Africa, natural burial practices have been a part of many African tribes and cultures for centuries. Traditional African burial customs often involve returning the body to the earth in a way that allows for natural decomposition. 

This may involve burying the body in a shallow grave or wrapping the body in a shroud and placing it on a raised platform, allowing it to decompose and return to the earth. 

In recent years, there has been a growing renewed interest in natural burial practices in Africa and around the world, as people seek more sustainable and eco-friendly options for burying their loved ones. 

Some communities in Africa have established natural burial grounds or green cemeteries, which provide a space for natural burial and promote conservation and biodiversity.

Natural burial in Africa is also closely tied to cultural and religious traditions. 

For example, in many African cultures, burial is seen as a sacred and important ritual that honors the deceased and brings comfort to the bereaved. 

Natural burial practices can be seen as a way to uphold these cultural and religious traditions while also caring for the environment. 

Natural burials in Africa reflects the rich diversity of cultural and environmental practices found on the continent, and offers a sustainable and meaningful way to honor the deceased and care for the earth.

There are many types of natural burials, which all share the common goal of minimizing the environmental impact of traditional burial practices. 
Widow maker



Five natural burials.

Green burials.
This type of burial involves burying the body in a biodegradable casket or shroud without embalming fluids. 
The burial site may also be designed to promote ecological conservation and restoration, such as by using native plants and avoiding the use of pesticides. 

Water burials.
This type of burial involves placing the body in a biodegradable casket or shroud and lowering it into a body of water, such as a river or ocean. The body decomposes naturally and becomes part of the aquatic ecosystem. 

Tree burials.
This type of burial involves burying the body in a biodegradable casket or shroud at the base of a tree. As the body decomposes, it provides nutrients to the tree and helps it grow. 

Natural cemetery burials.
This type of burial involves burying the body in a designated natural cemetery or green burial ground. These cemeteries are often designed to be ecologically sustainable and promote conservation, such as by using native plants and avoiding the use of embalming fluids and concrete vaults. 

Home funerals.
This type of burial involves caring for the deceased at home and preparing the body for burial without the use of embalming fluids. The body is then buried in a biodegradable casket or shroud in a location that allows for natural decomposition. Home funerals can be a more intimate and personal way to honor the deceased, and can also reduce the environmental impact of traditional funeral practices.

Africa is surrounded by water but is not an island, here are a few African Island facts.

Madagascar is the 4th large island in the world and is located in the Indian Ocean supporting a unique biology, about 90% of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on earth.

Composed of 155 islands, Seychelles is Africa's smallest country. By far the largest island is Mahe, home to about 90% of the population and the site of its capital city of Victoria.

Cabo Verde has a strategic location 310 miles or 500 km from the west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site.

Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent. Continents can not be considered islands because of their size and also by historic definition since many people who study geography define islands and continents as two different things.

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Being African in America I have grown up learning about different ethnic cultures. My father and mother are historians of African culture and history and their influence expanded my activities to several best-selling cookbooks, magazine columns, self-branded products, and a popular African culture and food blog.

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