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Socio-Economic Transformation of Akan Funeral Rites in Ghana

The Changing Process

Bibliographic Data

ID13629912
AuthorsAlice Boateng (University of Nevada, Reno, corresponding author), Linda Anngela-Cole (University of Nevada, Reno)
Year2012
Volume65
Issue4
Pages281-309
Publication date2012-09-05
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueOMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2190/om.65.4.c
PMID23115893
OpenAlexW2175528910
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited12

Cultural traditions at the end of life solidify societal members. As the world becomes more globalized, socio-economic factors affect how traditional practices are expressed, and the role and toll they make on modern societies. This article examines the contemporary Akan funeral practices in Ghana. Akan lineage members, from birth through puberty, marriage, maturity, old age, go through various rites of passage that bond them culturally and spiritually to others in society. One such ritual is funeral celebration. Funeral celebration, an old practice, has always been at the heart of public social events of Akan people. However, the changes in Ghanaian Akan funerals over the past 4 decades, and their impact on the people, make this an important topic. The article describes the Akan belief of life after death, the respect accorded to the dead, the prestige associated with successful funeral celebrations, and socio-economic factors that continue to shape Akan funeral practices. Socio-economic impact and the resulting challenges are discussed

Ancient history · Funeral Rites · Maturity (psychological · Political science · Prestige · Sociology · Toll · Anthropological Studies and Insights · Diaspora, migration, transnational identity · Gender Studies · History · Law · Medicine · Migration and Labor Dynamics

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Unique citing works12
Citations per year1,2
Citation span2016 - 2026 (11)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 12
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