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Consuming the Dead

In this article, we examine processes of identity and community building in Asante death rituals where participants metaphorically consume the dead. “Consuming the Dead” refers to how the living makes meaning of death and its associated rituals toward self identification. Our data were derived primarily from participant observations of death rituals and in-depth interviews with informants in Asante, Ghana. We identify “consuming-for-community” and “consuming-for-security” as key death-ritual consumption practices that contribute to cultural reproduction. We conclude by considering some implications of these consuming practices in the production of self, community, and culture.