Running head: Defining Abnormality IN A Cultural Context

Comparing the Burial Rituals of the Yoruba tribe to American Practices

Olivia L. Snyder
PSY 366: Abnormal Psychology
Arizona State University

Defining Abnormality IN A Cultural Context

2
Part 1

My personal culture is centered mostly around the fact that I grew up in a middle class
family within a largely Western culture in the U.S., where things like language, religion, art,
beliefs, and social habits are all fairly diverse. Ive always felt extremely lucky to be exposed to,
and have the opportunity to learn about, others beliefs, habits, and art. Ultimately I feel like this
has made me a more educated, open, and well rounded person. In addition to that, I was raised by
the Iranian side of my family, however they werent overly religious, so I had the opportunity to
learn about and embrace my Iranian heritage and my familys beliefs, but was allowed to develop
my own identity that incorporated what I was raised to believe from my family and the largely
Western culture I grew up in.
Part 2
For this assignment, I decided to explore the culture of the Yoruba tribe, whose religion
focuses on multiple deities and uses various rituals for birth, marriage, and death to appease or
entertain them (Olupona, 1993). My interest in the Yoruba stems from reading the play Death
and the Kings Horseman in high school, the ritual portrayed in the story shocked me initially
and this assignment gives me the opportunity to discuss it more in depth. The play is written by
Wole Soyinka, a man who has roots with the Yoruba, and is supposedly based on true events that
occurred in Oyo, Nigeria in the late 1940s (Blanchard, 2006). This story focuses on the period
following the death of the tribes leader, or King, where the Kings horseman, Elesin, would
fulfill his duties to the King and the tribe by sacrificing himself in order to guide the King
peacefully into the afterlife. If he is not successful, balance between the world of the living, the
dead, and the unborn are thrown off balance (Soyinka, 1975). I have been unable to find
evidence of this specific ritual occurring outside of what is cited in the play, but rituals

Defining Abnormality IN A Cultural Context

surrounding death and burials of the average tribe member are very common among the Yoruba.
A persons death, depending on how they die, will be followed by an initial burial to put their
physical body to rest. At this point, family members begin planning an official burial/funeral
which will be held anywhere from one week to one year after their initial burial depending on
their extravagant nature and the social/political status of the deceased (Olupona, 1993). Portions
of the burial ritual are described and elaborated on in the play, the festivities illustrated by
Soyinka mirror the traditional Yoruba funeral, which can last up to a week, and consist of
community feasts, music, and dancing as the tribe encourages the deceaseds soul into the
afterlife, as well as initiates the process of their rebirth (Soyinka, 1975).
Part 3
The beliefs of the Yoruba differ greatly from my own, they are deeply spiritual and center
their lives around rituals designed to gain favor from those they worship, as well as ensure
balance (Olupona, 1993). In comparison, I live my life without religion or anything to worship,
and Im more selfish in my approach to life. I dont connect my actions with a greater, cosmic
balance. The rituals traditionally performed by the Yoruba, specifically rituals involving death
appear abnormal to me. In Western, as well as some Iranian, culture, celebrations following a
persons death are considered insulting and disrespectful. To show respect for the dead, and love
for the life lost, is to mourn in silence. Someone dancing, or singing at a funeral would be, for
lack of a better word, incredibly abnormal. The most extreme example of abnormal behavior is
depicted in Soyinkas play, where extravagant celebrations and feasts lead up to the moment the
Kings Horseman would follow his leader into the afterlife. He would indulge in food, music,
and dance before committing ritual suicide. This act seems violent, and barbaric considering how
negatively suicide is perceived in Western culture. If we are defining the behavior through

Defining Abnormality IN A Cultural Context

statistical analysis applied to Western culture, someone committing suicide in order to become a
spiritual guide is extremely rare, if not unheard of, so it would be considered an abnormal
behavior (Oltmanns, 1995). If I knew someone was planning to commit suicide, I might feel the
need to intervene because growing up, I was taught that there was never a justification for
suicide, and that our death is not something that we control. Looking at the maladaptive checklist covered in class, committing suicide would mean that the individual absolutely poses a
danger to themselves.
Part 4
When looking at the culture that performs these burial rituals, the idea of sacrifice or
celebrating during a funeral isnt abnormal at all, it is something the entire tribe will participate
in and is a consistent aspect of their lives. These celebrations are part of a ritual that keeps the
soul from wandering and allows them to rest peacefully, this is incredibly important to the
Yoruba because this maintains balance. The more extreme act of ritual suicide as is described in
Soyinkas play is seen as the Horsemans duty, his entire life is spent guiding the King, following
him into the afterlife is expected of him. This wouldnt cause any personal distress because it is
an honor, and something he has been prepared for his entire life (Soyinka, 1975). This behavior
isnt considered maladaptive because it has a purpose within the tribe, as well as a
cosmic/religious purpose. In addition, there is no reason to believe that the person who consents
to participating either in the celebrations, or in the ritual sacrifice wouldnt be considered legally
responsible for their actions. These are traditions that are embraced from a very young age, by
the entire tribe and are practiced throughout their history. Following these traditions brings a
sense of honor, peace, and balance to the tribe.

Defining Abnormality IN A Cultural Context

References
Blanchard, Jane. "Death and the King's Horseman." Death and the King's Horseman. The
Washington Times, 17 Feb. 2006. Web. 24 Aug. 2016.
Oltmanns, Thomas F., and Robert E. Emery. Abnormal Psychology. 8th ed. Englewood Cliffs,
NJ: Prentice Hall, 1995. Print.
Olupna, J. (1993). The Study of Yoruba Religious Tradition in Historical Perspective. Numen,
40(3), 240-273.
Soyinka, Wole. Death and the King's Horseman. New York: Norton, 1975. Print.

Defining Abnormality IN A Cultural Context