The Sunday Mail
Tendai Chara
In the much-loved ballad “Living Years”, English musician Mike Rutherford expresses his regrets after his father’s death.
Rutherford’s message is crystal clear — people must resolve their differences whilst they are still alive.
If the current trend in which an increasing number of people are living in or near cemeteries is anything to go by, then Rutherford’s lyrics might, to an extent, be proven wrong.
Over the years, there has been an increase in the number of people whose houses are built close to cemeteries.
On a daily basis, those that live near graveyards pass through them, during their daily routines, resulting in claims of ghost sightings as well as the problem of desecration of tombstones.
The living are seemingly engaged in a tussle for land with the deceased.
In Harare, Chitungwiza and Kadoma, among other areas, people have erected structures around cemeteries, resulting in them literally living among the dead.
Harare’s Granville Cemetery, popularly known as Kumbudzi, is surrounded by illegal settlements. Some residents of Hopley and Amsterdam suburbs are also living with the dead as their houses are a few metres from the cemetery.
While many still regard cemeteries as creepy places, that is not so for Mrs Phoebe Marimo of Amsterdam on the southern outskirts of Harare.
Her house is less than 20m from Granville Cemetery and she insists she is perfectly OK with the set-up.
“For me it normal to live near or even among the dead. There is nothing to be afraid of. Remember, I am not in any way related to the people buried here. I have nothing whatsoever to do with their deaths. There is nothing to be afraid of,” Mrs Marimo said.
Her roadside tuckshop is less than 5m from graves and her children have the graveyard as their playground.
“At first I was afraid but we are now used to it. I have heard from my neighbours a number of ghost stories but I have never encountered a ghost in my life. God protects my family. After all, the Bible says the dead do not know anything,” Mrs Marimo said.
She said she knew colleagues who carry lucky charms and marijuana, which are claimed to be able to ward of ghosts.
Criminals hide among the tombstones, pouncing on anyone unfortunate enough to wander by at night and then fleeing into the cemeteries.
Pastor Winston Fundira of the Jehovah Sharma Ministries said it was improper to live among the dead.
“Legion, who was inflicted by demons, lived in a cemetery. Cemeteries are associated with evil things. Given a choice, no sane person would want to live in a graveyard. People are being forced by despair to live near cemeteries,” Pr Fundira said.
Since children cannot play in the middle of the road, they have resorted to playing in the graveyard
Mr George Kandiyero, the president of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association, concurred.
“In Zimbabwe, for example, we have people from certain parts of the country who bury their dear departed near their homes. This is, however, different with what is happening now. Those that are buried at Kumbudzi, for example, might not be related to those people whose houses are just behind the graves,” Mr Kandiyero said. He said traditionally, graves were located at secluded places.
“What we see today is a clear sign of culture erosion. We see people selling all types of goods during burials and some people even have the guts to play loud music during burial. This is a lack of respect for the dead. My biggest concern is that we are losing our morals,” added Mr Kandiyero.
Mbuya Machaka, a traditional healer, weighed in saying: “There are wandering spirits at cemeteries. Some of the deceased would have been murdered and, therefore, their spirits are restless. We have black spots where accidents are prevalent and these are caused by restless spirits. Cemeteries must be avoided at all cost.”
The sprouting of settlements near cemeteries can be attributed to unscrupulous operators who illegally parcel out land earmarked for graves.
In Chitungwiza’s Unit L, some residents live on the edge of a cemetery. The sprouting settlement, which the Chitungwiza Town Council maintains is illegal, is known as “New Cemetery”.
The Harare City Council has said it will remove illegal settlers who have invaded Granville Cemetery.
City spokesperson Mr Michael Chideme said, “The land that has been invaded is reserved for burial space. The invaders have to move out.”
Cemeteries are, however, not always associated with gloom. Some people actually prefer to live near them.
Mr Marlon Ngilazi’s house in Hopley Zone Six is just behind Granville Cemetery and he “enjoys” being where he is.
“It is quiet and peaceful here. Where it not for the tall grass, the cemetery could have been picturesque,” Mr Ngilazi said.
Online sources indicate that in the United States and many other parts of the world, houses that are located near cemeteries are sometimes on high demand.
The sources say Atlanta in the US has “beautiful and historic cemeteries” that are tourist attractions.
According to the sources, homes that border Decatur Cemetery fetch a high price due to schools and a location that is within walking distance to restaurants, shopping centres and entertainment.
