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Terms apply on covered repairs. The woman had been dead for three whole days.

As per tradition, during those three days, her body had lain undisturbed in the bed where she had died.

Her name was not spoken. The corn crib, where

essential food was stored, was not opened, while cold ashes from the fireplace, a symbol of

death itself, were sprinkled around the corpse. All tactics to help the woman's spirit cross into

the afterlife. Which was important, not just for the sake of the dead woman herself, but for the whole

community as well.

That is, the Catawba Indian nation of the Carolinas.

No, should the disease spirit linger longer, it might just turn around and infect the living.

Like so many funerary rituals throughout the world, the Kataba's ancient

traditions melded spirituality, practicality, superstition, and mourning. But there's something

that makes their practice different than the rest, because once the ceremonies were complete,

the Kataba people had a way of knowing exactly whether or not the ritual had worked,

and all it took was a small bowl of water. You see, on the third day, a little water-filled

dish would be placed by the deceased's head, and then they would wait. Wait for what exactly?

Well, the idea was that eventually the spirit would get thirsty and come back to take a sip.

...