Lessons Learned From Kefee's Burial Ground

Death, forever the bane of humankind, has a stark finality to it that makes reality seem, can I say, er, real. Once again, another shining Nigerian star gets cut in their prime by mysterious causes that only can be dealt with via the study of medicine, but even at that we are still in the dark over the death.

As the first drops of earth touched the lid of the casket that bore the remains of what was once the energetic and creative gospel singer, Kefee, I could not but feel the weight of what was happening. Milling all around, people wailed. Not the hurried tears devoted to the newly-departed, no. There have been time enough for that.
This time, the tears were swift and heavy, and the voices loud, because acceptance finally struck home. Kefee, was going to dust, and we all are left alone, with nothing but memories and a legacy of souvenirs, that time will erode, as usual. Death had happened to Kefee, life is happening to us all.
In my short existence on this planet, I have seen grown men cry a thousand times, perceived firsthand, the anguish of fathers losing daughters, the bitter sadness of mothers screaming the names of their dead children, received the warm brotherly hugs that come with the grief of siblings, and each time it still feels jarring.
I have gotten accustomed to death and all its friends. I have even made peace with the end of all things, even to the point of objective study. But never have I been able to stand the attendant sadness that comes with it all.
At Kefee's burial, the sadness was existent, palpable, and overwhelming. The affair had a ceremonial air, with singing, dancing, bright colours, media fanfare, and the alms seekers. But the sadness hung there, like a cloud, putting a damper on every activity.
Seated right there, in the mix of it all, certain truths began to unravel.
There will always be celebrity deaths. The forces of nature and human existence are too random and disrespectful to give the stars a hall pass from mortality. Always will we have the bright stars cut down. This truth is sad, almost ominous, but its the truth. In the end, take away all their talent, strip everyone of a legacy, education, religion and philosophy, and all we have are humans. Destined to complete life's cycle and taste death.
The next lesson was a bit more hard to understand. Unfortunate deeds and situations will always be fashionable to the celebrity, only as long as they find a way to look good in it or score a profit out of it. The #Bringbackourgirls campaign on social media was one that really flogged. Kefee's passing was used not solely as a way to show support, but also as good PR for certain individuals. It's happening right? Why not get in the thick of it, and into the news.
Finally. We won't remember for long. It seems cruel to say this, but that's the truth. Kefee's immortality will be sustained for a limited passage of time before it becomes just a distant speck in our battle-hardened lives. Her mental souvenirs of songs, will eventually be relegated to Google, and all who remember will just heave a slight sigh, and move on to the next. Only in the hearts of her immediate family, and best friends will her waking moments be savoured for decades to come. The rest of Nigeria will surely move on.
Because in the end, death happened to Kefee, and ended her life. Life is still happening to us all, for now.