One of Africa's strangest customs: hiring someone to weep bitterly for the dead in Kenya.

Written by: Ayman Ragab

How can you ensure a good turnout at the funeral?

In Kenya, some families resort to hiring professional mourners to give their loved ones a proper send-off.

In the lakeside town of Rapor in Kisumu, mourners take a final look at their departed loved one.

Crying over the dead for money

But not everyone who mourns the dead is a relative or friend; some are complete strangers who have been paid to participate in the mourning.

Funerals in western Kenya are an integral part of the culture, and professional mourners are widespread in the Luo community.

Victor Oma, a professional mourner, says that this profession provides an honest source of income in a country where job opportunities are scarce.

He adds: “It is difficult to find work in Kenya, but we decided to take advantage of funerals because of their frequency. We thought it would be a great opportunity to earn a living away from crime and unemployment.”.

The hired mourners begin their work as soon as the body leaves the morgue.

They wail and sing elegies until the body is buried.

They operate as an organization, and their services include food and tents, as well as providing mourners.

The need for money

“Sometimes a person has no family, but has money, and at least needs someone to stand by him and comfort him, so that he can give a proper farewell to his loved one,” explains Francis Oyo, a professional comforter. “It gets to the point where professional comforters are needed, and that’s where we come in.”.

For Georgina Aching, the niece of the deceased being mourned, the presence of professional mourners was essential because her late uncle had no immediate family.

She says: “In our culture as Luo people, we believe that if someone dies and is not given a proper farewell, their spirit may remain trapped and perhaps haunt some people, such as children or even family members. Therefore, if they are given a proper farewell, we believe their spirit will be happy.”.

The large funeral procession is seen as a symbol of social status in the Luo community.

Before the funeral, the paid mourners are informed of the details of the deceased's life.

For the participants, emotions flow easily.

Willis Omondi, director of professional mourners, says: “We don’t have to be related to the deceased. It’s enough to feel the death of a person, and then we start to cry. Then we ask ourselves: If he were a relative. That’s how we can grieve for someone we are not related to.”.

Experts point to a growing demand for professional mourners, reflecting broader societal changes in Kenya.

Few relatives

“We have nuclear families,” explains Awor Olunga, professor of anthropology at the University of Nairobi. “So, when someone dies, you may not have as many blood relatives as in urban centers.”.

He adds: “So, in such cases, depending on your social standing, you may find different types of mourners, often not hired by the family, but brought in by your friends or acquaintances to show your worth.”.

In Rabor, sadness hangs heavy over the place as the coffin is lowered into the grave.

For family and friends, it is an opportunity to say a final goodbye to their loved one.

As for the others, it's just a normal workday.