Mourning ceremony with the Punu women: The Mourners

The following video illustrates mourning as a social expression. The chant performed by the Punu women on this occasion expresses grief and perplexity facing the death of a loved one.

The deceased is called upon by the one he has left: under the burden of his absence, she says she’s ready to “follow” him and begs him to return among the living.

All women unite on this occasion to support the one facing loss of her beloved: grief becomes collective, and female cohesion finds its full expression.

The Punu mourners

Linguist : Jean-Marie Hombert

Image and sound : Luc-Henri Fage

Editing : Caroline Laurent