Black Spirituality Religion : Wearing Black to Funerals

[truetothecause]

I'm wondering if anyone can talk to me about the Spiritual or Ritualistic significance of wearing Black to funerals and during the "period" of mourning:?:



M.E.

 

[truetothecause]

Couple things I'm finding out...

"The color black and its relationship to funerals dates back to England. The color black in English history represented dignity, respect, and spiritual reflection. The relatively recent funeral of the Queen Mother in England was a reminder of the continued tradition in England of the country wearing black as a symbol of respect. During the Middle Ages, in the Christian religious tradition, the color black symbolized the earth through the biblical interpretation of the phrase "ashes to ashes and dust to dust"." (http://www.milso.com/about/about_pgs/funeral_serv_faq.html#Anchor-Why-56991)

Continental Europe
"Mourning dress" redirects here. For the daytime form of men's formal dress, see morning dress.

The custom of wearing unadorned black clothing for mourning dates back at least to the Roman Empire, when the Toga pulla made of dark-colored wool was worn during periods of mourning.

Through the Middle Ages and Renaissance, distinctive mourning was worn for general as well as personal loss; after the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre of Huguenots in France, Elizabeth I of England and her court are said to have dressed in full mourning to receive the French Ambassador.

Women in mourning and widows wore distinctive black caps and veils, generally in a conservative version of the current fashion.

In rural areas of Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece widows will wear black for the rest of their lives. The immediate family members of the deceased will wear black for an extended period of time. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mourning)

Having come to KNOW, that everything the E.D.(european descendants) people's "know", they obtained from US........the Blackness.....never say die.....keepa keep on!

I'm seeking information from OUR Cultural, Spiritual, MetaPhysical, Universal...way out there somewhere.....deeper....KNOWledge.....[/FONT]

Can you help me with that:?:


M.E.

 

[truetothecause]

Can you help me with that :?:

I suppose not


M.E.

 

[truetothecause]

I suppose not


M.E.

I have to wonder why:?:
This is something we've ALL participated in and shall continue to do.
It's a "Ritual"
Do ya'll all continue to practice the way we've been taught to do by white folk:?:
Oh yes...some Black Mama/Papa/Sista/Brother is crying this very moment...as a loved one just made their transition.

but...seems this topic is off limits....depressing....dark and dreary....sad....so let's not talk about it....


OR...

did I forget my "shower to shower" today:?:


M.E.

 

[Zulile]

Sister true

I have attended only one funeral outside of SA and the widow wore Black - other than that I havent really "seen" it, outside of TV. I have never worn Black as sign of mourning (or to a funeral) and most funerals that I have attended people mostly wear their "sunday clothes"

At funerals of ''prominant folk'', I often see the Shembe (oldest African Independent/Indigenous Church in South Africa) wearing white... and much traditional clothing representing the tribe of the deceased.

I simply havent ever given it much thought. Funerals are often 'festive' - celebrating the passing of a loved one to what we assume is a better place, and celebrating the time they shared with us, here. As a youngster there was no better free party to crash than a funeral bash. Sounds nuts, but true.

Anyway, clearly I cannot help you with the wearing of black significance..

I will, however, give it more thought now!