Tamba's brother lived far in the country, with no electricity, running water, or cellphone coverage. This is the way many Malians live. Two weeks ago, Tamba's brother was hunting in the woods. It was early Sunday morning. He carried a gun. Two companions were within shouting distance. As he was walking under a tree, a large snake fell out of the tree, bit him in the leg, and quickly escaped into a stream. The brother held his leg above the bite, trying to slow the spread of the venom. He also called out to his 2 companions, who came running. They started to carry Tamba's brother back home, but soon he lost his sight in both eyes. Soon after, in great pain, he died there in the woods. The whole event took less than 1 hour. Based on what Tamba's brother told his companions before he died, they think the serpent was a large cobra. It was an deliberate, aggressive attack.
Word got back to the community. A tractor was dispatched to retrieve the body. It returned with the body about midnight that day. According to tradition, elder relatives washed the body 3 times and wrapped it in a white shroud. A moslem holy man performed a service, and within 24 hours Tamba's brother was buried. Three days later, a very large community service was held for many many people to acknowledge the passing. Hundreds of people participated, including Tamba. Again, 40 days after the death, another and last community service will be held.
According to Malian tradition, the next younger brother inherates the widow 30 days after a death. This is in order to keep the children in the family. Even today, this tradition is hardly ever questioned by the parties involved. An exception that is growing involves AIDS. If the death of a spouse is due to AIDS, then the next younger brother may not accept marrying the widow, who could be seen as having AIDS herself. Remember, that here in Mali, it is legal and proper for a Moslem man to have up to 4 wives.
Such is life, and death, in Mali.