Jazz Funerals.
Funerals are events or ceremonies that are held to mark the death of an individual. Most of the time, they are incorporated with religion and beliefs and therefore, the way they are conducted is greatly influenced by the beliefs of the people in question. For centuries, communities and civilizations have buried their people in different ways and all have had their different beliefs and views of death. Slaves in America in the 18th century were no different they also had their own views and beliefs about death. They were brought from Africa and when they moved, they carried with them their culture and beliefs. Death was an important thing to them. They saw it as a passing of the soul from one phase to another and the continuance of existence.
Funerals for them were party-like and involved celebration, hence, the concept of Jazz Funerals (Strong)
African Americans have their roots in Africa since they came to America under very bad conditions, slavery. It brought a horrible life upon them and in some way death was seen as a relief. This was largely because of Christianitys concept of life after death and eternal happiness. Therefore, this was a reason why funerals were more like celebrations. This was very different from the concept of death that white people had. For the white people, it was a fearful thing and could be compared to the end of ones dreams. In their funerals, the atmosphere was one filled with sadness and despair. The fact that there was a lot of sadness during such ceremonies goes to show that culturally, there was doubt in the actual existence of life after death (Marsalis). Therefore, the difference in how the white people and the African-Americans conducted their funerals was influenced by their views and beliefs about death.
The name Jazz funeral was a name that became commonly used in New Orleans, Louisiana. It had been used for quite some time by outsiders to refer to the funerals in New Orleans which locals referred to as funerals with music. In the funerals, jazz music was often played. Later, towards the end of the 20th century, the name became more acceptable. Jazz music also originated in New Orleans. The whole tradition was influenced from spiritual practices in Africa, traditions from the French and Spanish martial music and a unique blend of African American culture (Pollick).
Jazz funerals began at the services at the church. The brass band would meet outside the church after the service where they would lead a procession while walking slowly through the neighborhood. The procession included members of the family of the deceased, friends and the brass band named so because of their instruments. The procession would go through the neighborhood on its way to the cemetery and at times, a black wreath was hanged where the deceased was from e.g. the door of the house he lived in or place of work. The mood was one that was somber. The music played consisted of hymns borrowed from Christianity (Marsalis). The music played when heading to the cemetery was slow and dirges were mournful. An example of a hymn that was popular is Just a Closer Walk with Thee. The casket was carried behind the mourners at the front referred to as front liners. After the burial ceremony, the family members and close friends paid their last respects and there was a change in the beat and tempo of the music from the brass band. It would result into a more upbeat that eventually led to the band playing popular tunes. As the procession moved, people would join in celebrating the life of the deceased. There was dancing and others joined the procession to enjoy the music and were referred to as the second line (New Orleans online.com).
Normal funerals were and still are different from the Jazz funerals. In these funerals, a memorial service is held at a church or according to the wishes of the family. The body of the deceased is then carried from the funeral home to the church. Later, after the service, it is transported to the cemetery where a burial service is held. Therefore, there might be a procession moving from the church to the burial site. But, there is no band playing music. A prayer is then recited by a clergy and a few words may be spoken by close family. The deceased is then buried and the whole ceremony ends there at a sad note. Clearly, this is very different from the Jazz Funerals (Marsalis).
Jazz funerals began to fall out and become less popular. This was mostly due to the entry of new bands that had a modern feel. The disbanding of older brass bands also contributed to the decrease in popularity of Jazz Funerals. However, there have been Jazz funerals (traditional ones) in New Orleans for musicians and members of the Mardi gras crews. A recent devastating event, Hurricane Katrina, revived the significance of Jazz Funerals and traditions that over time had been forgotten. This interest has been on the increase (Pollick).
Jazz funerals are a part of the rich culture of New Orleans. They are a celebration of life and death. It is the incorporation of lively music into the sending off of the deceased that clearly indicates that death to the African-Americans was a celebration of passage from one life to the afterlife.
Funerals for them were party-like and involved celebration, hence, the concept of Jazz Funerals (Strong)
African Americans have their roots in Africa since they came to America under very bad conditions, slavery. It brought a horrible life upon them and in some way death was seen as a relief. This was largely because of Christianitys concept of life after death and eternal happiness. Therefore, this was a reason why funerals were more like celebrations. This was very different from the concept of death that white people had. For the white people, it was a fearful thing and could be compared to the end of ones dreams. In their funerals, the atmosphere was one filled with sadness and despair. The fact that there was a lot of sadness during such ceremonies goes to show that culturally, there was doubt in the actual existence of life after death (Marsalis). Therefore, the difference in how the white people and the African-Americans conducted their funerals was influenced by their views and beliefs about death.
The name Jazz funeral was a name that became commonly used in New Orleans, Louisiana. It had been used for quite some time by outsiders to refer to the funerals in New Orleans which locals referred to as funerals with music. In the funerals, jazz music was often played. Later, towards the end of the 20th century, the name became more acceptable. Jazz music also originated in New Orleans. The whole tradition was influenced from spiritual practices in Africa, traditions from the French and Spanish martial music and a unique blend of African American culture (Pollick).
Jazz funerals began at the services at the church. The brass band would meet outside the church after the service where they would lead a procession while walking slowly through the neighborhood. The procession included members of the family of the deceased, friends and the brass band named so because of their instruments. The procession would go through the neighborhood on its way to the cemetery and at times, a black wreath was hanged where the deceased was from e.g. the door of the house he lived in or place of work. The mood was one that was somber. The music played consisted of hymns borrowed from Christianity (Marsalis). The music played when heading to the cemetery was slow and dirges were mournful. An example of a hymn that was popular is Just a Closer Walk with Thee. The casket was carried behind the mourners at the front referred to as front liners. After the burial ceremony, the family members and close friends paid their last respects and there was a change in the beat and tempo of the music from the brass band. It would result into a more upbeat that eventually led to the band playing popular tunes. As the procession moved, people would join in celebrating the life of the deceased. There was dancing and others joined the procession to enjoy the music and were referred to as the second line (New Orleans online.com).
Normal funerals were and still are different from the Jazz funerals. In these funerals, a memorial service is held at a church or according to the wishes of the family. The body of the deceased is then carried from the funeral home to the church. Later, after the service, it is transported to the cemetery where a burial service is held. Therefore, there might be a procession moving from the church to the burial site. But, there is no band playing music. A prayer is then recited by a clergy and a few words may be spoken by close family. The deceased is then buried and the whole ceremony ends there at a sad note. Clearly, this is very different from the Jazz Funerals (Marsalis).
Jazz funerals began to fall out and become less popular. This was mostly due to the entry of new bands that had a modern feel. The disbanding of older brass bands also contributed to the decrease in popularity of Jazz Funerals. However, there have been Jazz funerals (traditional ones) in New Orleans for musicians and members of the Mardi gras crews. A recent devastating event, Hurricane Katrina, revived the significance of Jazz Funerals and traditions that over time had been forgotten. This interest has been on the increase (Pollick).
Jazz funerals are a part of the rich culture of New Orleans. They are a celebration of life and death. It is the incorporation of lively music into the sending off of the deceased that clearly indicates that death to the African-Americans was a celebration of passage from one life to the afterlife.
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