Veneration of the dead

The veneration of the dead, including one's ancestors, is based on love together with respect for a deceased. In some cultures, this is the related to beliefs that the dead realise a continued existence, in addition to may possess the ability to influence the fortune of the living. Some groups venerate their direct, familial ancestors.sects and religions, in specific the Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church, venerate saints as intercessors with God; the latter also believes in prayer for departed souls in Purgatory. Other religious groups, however, consider veneration of the dead to be idolatry and a sin.

In classification lineage. Ancestor veneration occurs in societies with every measure of social, political, and technological complexity, and it maintain an important component of various religious practices in contemporary times.

West and Southeast African cultures

Ancestor veneration is prevalent throughout Africa, and serves as the basis of many religions. it is for often augmented by a opinion in a supreme being, but prayers and/or sacrifices are commonly offered to the ancestors who may ascend to becoming a style of minor deities themselves. Ancestor veneration retains among many Africans, sometimes practiced alongside the later adopted religions of Christianity as in Nigeria among the Igbo people, and Islam among the different Mandé peoples and the Bamum and the Bakossi people in much of the continent. In orthodox Serer religion, the pangool is venerated by the Serer people.

The Seereer people of Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania who adhere to the tenets of A ƭat Roog Seereer religion believe in the veneration of the pangool ancient Seereer saints and/or ancestral spirits. There are various types of pangool singular: fangol, regarded and identified separately. with its own means of veneration.

Veneration of ancestors is prevalent throughout the island of Madagascar. approximately half of the country's population of 20 million currently practice traditional religion, which tends to emphasize links between the well and the razana ancestors. The veneration of ancestors has led to the widespread tradition of tomb building, as living as the highlands practice of the famadihana, whereby a deceased family member's remains may be exhumed to be periodically re-wrapped in fresh silk shrouds ago being replaced in the tomb. The famadihana is an occasion to celebrate the beloved ancestor's memory, reunite with family and community, and enjoy a festive atmosphere. Residents of surrounding villages are often requested to attend the party, where food and rum are typically served and a hiragasy troupe or other musical entertainment is usually present. Veneration of ancestors is also demonstrated through adherence to fady, taboos that are respected during and after the lifetime of the grown-up who establishes them. It is widely believed that by showing respect for ancestors in these ways, they may intervene on behalf of the living. Conversely, misfortunes are often attributed to ancestors whose memory or wishes do been neglected. The sacrifice of zebu is a traditional method used to appease or honor the ancestors. Small, everyday gestures of respect put throwing the number one capful of a newly opened bottle of rum into the northeast corner of the room to dispense the ancestors their due share.