The Kikuyu, when left to themselves, do not bury their…
““The Kikuyu, when left to themselves, do not bury their dead, but leave them above ground for the hyenas and vultures to deal with. The custom had always appealed to me, I thought that it would be pleasant thing to be laid out to the sun and the stars, and to be so promptly, neatly, and openly picked and cleansed; to be made one with Nature and become a common component of a landscape.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
She describes a cultural practice of leaving bodies exposed, seeing it as a harmonious return to nature and a rejection of burial rituals
In simple terms: Leaving bodies exposed connects humans to nature
Key Takeaway
Consider natural cycles over artificial rituals
Themes
death
nature
culture
Mood
contemplative
poetic
Type
cultural
environmental
When to use this quote
- funeral planning
- eco-friendly burials
- cultural studies
- environmental art
Key Concepts
environmental philosophy
anthropology
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this say about humanity’s relationship with nature?
- Can modern societies adopt more natural end‑of‑life practices?
A Different Perspective
Such practices may clash with modern sanitary concerns