Ninth night/Set-up
A ninth night (or as we say it in creole ni-night) is used to mark exactly 9 nights after an individual dies. It is a little party of sorts to send off the dearly beloved, anybody and everybody is invited, so it is common to have random people who happen to pass by, stop and take in the festivities. The celebration is done on the ninth night because this is when the spirit is thought to transition/cross-over, the tradition of course comes from our African ancestors. There are many traditional foods that are available during this event such as curried goat with white rice, mannish water (a soup made with cow head and other parts), but others may opt for fish tea as the choice of soup. There is also music, often times performed by live bands, the type of music usually being revival(again....this type of music originated in Africa). There is plenty of liquor and refreshments available to everyone free of cost, domino and loodi (ludo) games are an order for the night. Set-up is basically the same thing, however this takes place the night before the funeral and as the name "set up" suggests, there is no sleeping done, the event starts between about 8 and 9 p.m. and lasts until the first sign of morning light (anywhere between 4 and 5 a.m.) the following day.
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