Thursday, August 7, 2025

A GIFT OF HONOR AND LOVE: UNDERSTANDING THE END-OF-MOURNING CEREMONY IN BURUNDI By Dr. Josimar Salum

 


A GIFT OF HONOR AND LOVE: UNDERSTANDING THE END-OF-MOURNING CEREMONY IN BURUNDI


By Dr. Josimar Salum

August 7th, 2025


We love Burundi.


Though we do not live in the country, it has been one of the greatest gifts from God to walk alongside the Burundian people in moments of worship, teaching, fellowship, and service. Every visit is more than a journey — it is a holy opportunity to witness the beauty, strength, and grace of a people destined for transformation through the Kingdom of God.


Our desire has always been to see the Gospel of the Kingdom shape every sphere of Burundian society — not just the churches, but also the families, education, government, agriculture, and community life. We see Burundi as one nation under God, indivisible — Hutus, Tutsis, and Twas — living AS ONE, all created in the image of God, all called to reflect His glory together.


As a Brazilian by birth, naturalized American, and descendant of Lebanese roots — and having been shaped profoundly by the biblical culture of Israel — I have made many mistakes in the pursuit of understanding and serving this nation alongside my friend Dr. Paul Lee Taylor. The learning curve has not been easy. But our hearts have been and continue to be teachable, because our desire is not to impose, but to bless.


We have been especially honored to walk closely with the young people — the backbone of the nation — who are actively shaping the future today. Their strength, passion, and hunger for truth are already transforming Burundi. At the same time, we remain deeply respectful of the elders, who carry the wisdom, dignity, and traditions of generations.


One of the most humbling aspects of this journey has been learning and embracing Burundian cultural practices, especially those surrounding grief, remembrance, and healing.


The Ceremony of “Ending Mourning” — A National Cultural Tradition


Recently, I received a touching invitation from our dear brother Innocent, on behalf of his wife Feniste, whose mother passed away some time ago. The family is now holding what is known in Kirundi as “Gusohoza Ikiriyo” — the ceremony to end the mourning period.


What we have learned, this event is profoundly meaningful in Burundian culture. It typically takes place about a year after the passing of a loved one and serves several purposes:


It marks the official closure of mourning for the deceased.


It provides space for prayers, tributes, and a communal meal.


It allows the family to rebuild their lives, with the support and presence of the community.


It also includes the resolution of any debts or unresolved matters the deceased may have left behind — not only financial, but also relational or social.


This ceremony is not limited to one ethnic group or religion. It is observed across Burundi, among Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa families, and by believers in Christ, Muslims, and those of traditional beliefs. It reflects a national culture of honor, remembrance, and community healing.



As Believers in Christ , What Does This Mean?


Among believers in Christ, this ceremony is usually rooted in prayer, worship, and thanksgiving to God for the life of the one who passed. It may include:

Scripture readings

Words of comfort

Songs of hope

And encouragement for the family to move forward in Christ


For Bible-based believers, there is no invocation of spirits, no communication with the dead, and no ancestor worship. All prayer is directed only to God through Jesus Christ.


However, in some rural or traditional settings, there may be symbolic gestures or cultural elements that reflect ancestral beliefs. Discernment is always important. But in our experience, many Believers in Burundi are faithfully seeking to live out their cultural identity in light of the Gospel, without compromising the truth of Scripture.


What Is Expected From Those Invited?


In Burundian culture, being invited to such a ceremony is a gesture of great honor and inclusion. It means you are considered part of the extended family or spiritual community.


If one cannot attend personally, it is appropriate — and deeply appreciated — to:


Send a message of blessing, comfort, and support.


Send a monetary gift, even a small one, to show solidarity with the family.


Continuing to Learn, Serve, and Walk AS ONE


We remain students of Burundian life and culture. Every ceremony, every conversation, every invitation is a moment of learning — and every mistake is an opportunity to grow in humility and grace. We will continue to serve with love as long as the Lord guides us, to walk with the people, and to honor Burundi as a precious part of God’s Kingdom purpose on the earth.


We love Burundi. We love its people — the youth who are shaping the present, and the elders who carry the foundation. And we pray that the knowledge of the Lord will fill this land like the waters cover the sea.


May the King of glory, Jesus Christ, reign over Burundi — from the hills of Bubanza to the lakes of Bujumbura, from the elders in the villages to the youth in the cities and in the rural parts. One nation, under God, indivisible, walking AS ONE, healed and whole.


*NOTE FROM A SON: REVERIEN BUKURU*


If I am asked to translate "END-OF-MOURNING CEREMONY, I would do : 


KUGANDUKA (That's how the ceremony held at the end of the mourning period called in Kirundi) 


Gusohoza ikiriyo is a combination of gusohoza (a Kinyarwanda word which means to fulfill and would be  transleteb as "Kushitsa" in Kirundi ) and ikiriyo (which is a Swahili word originally _"Kiriyo"_ which is translated as "mourning"  in English and "Kugandara" in Kirundi).


Therefore, GUSOHOZA IKIRIYO is not known as referring to the ceremony held after the death of our beloved ones in Burundi. The widely known and  official name  is "KUGĀNDĆȘKA"


I am so happy you learned and have been able to understand this culture of ours 😍. 


We actually have a lot of people, Burundians if you want,  who cannot explain is as good as you just did.


#ASONE

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

AVIVAMENTO TSUNAMI DE TRANSFORMAÇÃO E REFORMA ESTA VARRENDO O IRÃ. Josimar Salum


 AVIVAMENTO TSUNAMI DE TRANSFORMAÇÃO E REFORMA ESTA VARRENDO O IRÃ.

Josimar Salum 

11/6/25

"IrĂŁ inaugura parque temĂĄtico do inferno para tornar as pessoas mais religiosas e temerosas de ir para o inferno.

O regime islĂąmico estĂĄ desesperado. Mesquitas em todo o paĂ­s estĂŁo vazias e estima-se que 70% da população tenha abandonado o islamismo." X @realmaalouf 

MilhĂ”es de BĂ­blias foram contrabandeadas para o IrĂŁ nos Ășltimos anos. Um amigo que participou destes esforços com outros de uma organização missionĂĄria confirmou estes dados. 

MilhĂ”es de pessoas estĂŁo se convertendo a Jesus Cristo, dentre elas milhares e milhares de jovens. 

Quando batizei uma jovenzinha iraniana em 1993 de nome Golnaz foi quando fui despertado a interceder pelo

povo persa. Para mim este primeiro fruto foi um sinal do que com grande alegria hoje estou presenciando e assistindo.  

Estas conversĂ”es sĂŁo um prenĂșncio gigantesco do que estarĂĄ acontecendo nos paĂ­ses ĂĄrabes e nas comunidades e naçÔes muçulmanas em todo o mundo. 

Estas conversĂ”es livres da pregação religiosa, de um evangelho de salvação perneta, anuncia ao mundo que o Evangelho do Reino estĂĄ avançando. E quem estĂĄ vencendo e vencendo vem, Jesus Cristo, o Rei dos Reis. 

Sua Ekklesia (Igreja) estĂĄ sendo edificada em toda a Terra e as portas do inferno nĂŁo estĂŁo prevalecendo contra ela. 

“Eu, Jesus, enviei o meu anjo, para vos testificar estas coisas nas igrejas. 

Eu sou a Raiz e a Geração de Davi, a resplandecente Estrela da manhĂŁ. 

"E o EspĂ­rito e a esposa dizem: Vem! E quem ouve diga: Vem! E quem tem sede venha; e quem quiser tome de graça da ĂĄgua da vida. 

Aquele que testifica estas coisas diz: Certamente, cedo venho. AmĂ©m! Ora, vem, Senhor Jesus" Apocalipse‬ ‭22‬:‭16‬-‭17‬, ‭20

#ASONE

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Following our Lamb!

 

Following our Lamb!

   I remembered something right after we arrived in Burundi. 

   On 12/4/1978, I left Cisneiros, my home town in Brazil, to move to Belo Horizonte to study and work. 

   46 years later, yesterday, I made this trip on 12/4/2024, leaving for Burundi, East Africa from our home.

   I was intrigued by this memory, out of the blue. It is as if the Lord was telling me that our life purpose is built by steps throughout the long years of our lives. And that it culminates from time to time in new seasons. 

   In fact, what we really pursue is this greater mission of preaching the Gospel and making disciples of all nations around the world. 

   Deivison Fonseca, who I have had as an alliance since he was 18 years old, and Paul Taylor, a alliance as well since 2000 with The Call New England and The Call Brazil are very precious brothers and we are together to my honor and great joy. I could not have more precious companions than them. 

   And I am enormously grateful to you for being able to share this reminiscence and counting on your prayers. 

   Proclaiming the Gospel without religion without legalism and making disciples of the Kingdom is our greatest joy and our greatest privilege.

   Josimar Salum




Friday, November 29, 2024

NATAL COM JESUS PARA CRIANÇAS DO BURUNDI

 


*NATAL COM JESUS PARA CRIANÇAS DO BURUNDI.*

ESTAMOS VIAJANDO NESTA PRÓXIMA QUARTA FEIRA, 4/12/24, PARA BURUNDI, ÁFRICA, COM PAUL TAYLOR E DEIVISON FONSECA.

Nossos filhos Bernard Mungai Ngugi  e Jane Wanja Kamau, quenianos, missionĂĄrios em Burundi, todos os anos fazem uma festa de Natal para crianças e jovens vulnerĂĄveis. 

Se vocĂȘ quiser visitar o perfil de Jane Wanja Kamau no Facebook poderĂĄ ter uma ideia do trabalho que eles fazem no paĂ­s no campo da oração, assistĂȘncia a famĂ­lias e alcance de crianças, adolescentes e jovens. 

*Nosso alvo este ano é alcançar no mínimo 700 crianças.*

Com apenas $1 dĂłlar por criança conseguimos alimentĂĄ-la com mingau, frutas e snacks. 

Senti em meu coração em oferecer esta oportunidade para vocĂȘ nos ajudar, jĂĄ que estamos investindo em muitos outros projetos durante esta viagem. Se enviar tua oferta atĂ© este domingo dia 1/12/14 conseguiremos disponibilizar os fundos para entregarmos nesta viagem. 

*Nosso Zelle Ă© 774-696-3714., Youseph and Daniel*

Enviaremos depois um relatório com fotografias deste NATAL COM JESUS PARA CRIANÇAS DO BURUNDI.

“Porque tive fome, e destes-me de comer; tive sede, e destes-me de beber; era estrangeiro, e hospedastes-me;” Mateus‬ ‭25‬:‭35‬ 

Deus te recompense. 

Josimar Salum 

#ASONE
















Thursday, May 11, 2023

NOSSA VIAGEM A GITEGA NA COMUNIDADE BATWA (pigmeus) DE ZEGE

Temos o prazer de anunciar que nossa viagem a Gitega na comunidade Batwa (pigmeus) de Zege, onde temos nos concentrado como nossa ĂĄrea de projeto, foi um sucesso.

Certificamos 15 pessoas. 7 homens formados em alvenaria e 8 mulheres formadas em costura.

Tivemos a oportunidade de incentivĂĄ-los a trazer os filhos para a escola, incentivĂĄ-los a criar pequenos negĂłcios para colocar na mesa sem depender apenas da olaria ou da mendicĂąncia. Compartilhamos com eles o ensino de cinco linguagens do amor para fortalecer as famĂ­lias.








Jeremie Manirakiza 

#ASONE


Sunday, April 9, 2023

A LETTER REGARDING THE KINGDOM MINDSET. Dr Josimar Salum & Dr Paul Taylor

A LETTER REGARDING THE KINGDOM MINDSET. Dr Josimar Salum & Dr Paul Taylor

Since Dr Paul Taylor and I embraced the people of Burundi we have been speaking against the religious mindset, against the NGO’s system and have been incessantly sharing the Word of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is a message that many Christians may have never heard before, a message that has transformed minds and transformed many people around the world, and many people in Burundi.

We have been pouring out our hearts talking about the burden we carry for Burundi, our vision to see sustainable transformation in Burundi.

 Yes, it is true that Burundi has been through many wars throughout the years, but it is not a reason for Burundians to keep having an attitude of dependency. 

There is something that we see in many countries that always shocks us, it is a heavy burden in our hearts, and we always pray for it. It is the fact that we see a begging mindset in many Burundians, Brazilians, Haitians, and even in many people that live in America. 

Imagine how many billions of dollars countries have been receiving in Africa, South America, Asia and specifically Burundi, ever since the end of the war in 2000. If that money had been totally invested, especially in education in the country, it could have improved much more of what we see today, and the number of people without jobs could have been reduced. But many nations consumed all that money and kept expecting to receive the same donations forever. So, now that the international community has put sanctions over the government, the economy of the country keeps collapsing. Now imagine that some of these countries like Niger, Haiti, Burundi are some of the poorest countries in the world! We shall see this changed. 

We are asking ourselves why we don’t see a begging mindset in many Americans and believers of many other countries. Everyone is busy with business. 

The change must start. The change must continue. It is the change of mindset and an unquenchable desire to grow. 

Working with ONE is our passion, and one day we will reach our objective with totality. We dream of seeing self sustainability.

We have supported many Burundians in their studies. There are some that are studying entrepreneurship and it is a very interesting course. We praise God for this experience, and we believe many of you will help many people as well. We encourage these students to start small businesses. 

We really appreciate those of you that have shared your testimonies. You are hardworking people, men and women who have come from far, who started from zero and who come from a poor family, but your success is incredible, an inspiration and an encouragement. When we see you, we hope that one day others shall be successful as well. 

Another thing is that there are many requests from different people, and others have a vision they are pursuing. We are sure that we are not going to satisfy all the needs and wants of people. So we are focusing on pursuing our vision and doing what we can. And what we can not do, we simply don't. 

We give all the praise to Jesus and are so thankful that many have embraced the Kingdom mindset. It is the mindset that believes all things are possible with Jesus living in us, here now, on earth.  

It is the mindset that we are not poor nor rich, we are not white nor black, we are not Tutsis, Hutus, Twas, or foreigners. WE ARE ALL ONE.  

It is being ONE with Jesus that enables us to create a different life for our families. It is being ONE that destines us to see transformation in all aspects of life. It is being ONE that makes us be like God is. It is being ONE that allows us to see God’s Kingdom come, His will done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Remember, as a man thinks, so he is.  If we think we are poor, we will always be poor.  If we think we can make a difference, then we will make a difference in the world around us.  

We are so proud of you and for all you are doing. It is your faith and attitude that separates you from others. You are amazing men and women of God.  

May the Lord bless you greatly as you celebrate the risen Christ in this season and every day, for because He lives, we live forevermore. Be encouraged. You will accomplish all that the Lord has placed in your heart. 

#ASONE

9/4/2023

BRIGHT STARS, GROUP OF BURUNDIAN YOUTH, EXACTLY AT MARAMVYA, SPREAD LOVE PROGRAM.

It's my great pleasure to share with you these amazing news of what God has done this Saturday, 8th of April 2023.

BRIGHT STARS 🌟 GROUP OF BURUNDIAN YOUTH, EXACTLY AT MARAMVYA, SPREAD LOVE PROGRAM. 

We went out on this SPREAD LOVE CAMPAIGN where we saw God working miraculously.

We wanted to wish people a Happy Passover .

We went in a refugee camp which is located in Maramvya. People are living a miserable life in tents very far away from their families and relatives with no farms to cultivate. For sure, life doesn't look easy to them.

As we were praying they asked us to pray for people who were sick

Those young people are CĂ©drick and Onesime, they are the promoters of this work. They are also members of Dream House and I have  taught them the Gospel of Kingdom of God












Jackson Ndihokubwayo 

#ASONE