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The writer, who is lecturer in African Life at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, observes: “While undertaking field research into African life in the city of Johannesburg during the last few years, it was everywhere apparent to me that the institutions of marriage and the family among urban Africans are suffering severe dislocation under the impact of industrialisation and urbanisation. Some discussion on the causes and their effects are given below.”

These burial customs relate to the Bapedi of olden times who are found to-day in what is known as Sekukuniland, a large area in the central and northern Transvaal. Preparations for burial and disposing of the body are discussed giving varying details for the burials of commoners and chiefs. A chief is always buried with at least two of his councillors, but his death is kept a secret for many months after burial. The customs observed by widows and the feasts prepared at times of death and the various ritual precautions taken to remove the harmful effects of death are also described.

The writer, who is lecturer in African Life at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, observes: “While undertaking field research into African life in the city of Johannesburg during the last few years, it was everywhere apparent to me that the institutions of marriage and the family among urban Africans are suffering severe dislocation under the impact of industrialisation and urbanisation. Some discussion on the causes and their effects are given below.”