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 "KUGĀNDŪKA"

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