When people lack proper understanding of history and culture, they often rush to make careless statements just to gain attention. The best response to such myopic views is not noise, but clarity.
First, it is completely false to claim that people go to the Ebe Festival to dance and come back dead. No one dies as a result of participating in the festival itself. What may have occurred was an isolated incident on that particular night, not something tied to the tradition or purpose of the celebration.
Secondly, regarding the burial, it is important to understand that in our society, when someone dies, regardless of their level of religious observance, family and community often ensure that proper rites are performed. This is why Janaza, funeral prayer, may be observed, even for individuals who were not regular in Salat. That act reflects compassion, not contradiction.
As for the question, “why not Ohireba?” the real question should be where are those making such claims when context, history, and truth are being discussed? Where were they when many night custodians passed on and Muslim clerics still performed Janaza for them, despite the fact that some hardly observed Salat?
Many can also testify that among the night custodians, there was at least one who consistently observed Salat and even encouraged others to do the same, making it clear that practicing one’s religion does not in any way stop or diminish the culture.
It is easy to speak, but harder to speak with knowledge. Let us not reduce our traditions to misinformation, but instead preserve and discuss them with understanding and respect.
By
Respected Comrade Abdulj
elil Adabara