Behind the scenes of the daily life of cemetery employees in Nigeria
Working in a cemetery is often seen as an unglamorous job, but for some in Nigeria, it is an unavoidable reality. The documentary entitled “The Gravediggers” immerses us in the little-known world of workers at the Atan cemetery in Lagos.
Kayode, a mason at the cemetery, says that despite disapproving looks from his family, he chose this job for lack of better opportunities. He shares his embarrassment at the judgment of others, but remains focused on his main task: burying the deceased. For him, it is a question of necessity and dignity to ensure these last goodbyes.
For his part, Mayuku, another cemetery employee, had to explain his choice of profession to his family. His mother was concerned about his decision, but he simply reminded her of the importance of this work and the need for it to be accomplished. After all, if no one works at the cemetery, who will bury people?
The burial process is strictly organized, like an office routine for Adeyemi, who supervises the other employees. However, Mayuku reveals a surprising detail: when we talk about “six feet under”, it is not always a question of depth, but of length to allow a coffin to fit. A nuance that sheds different light on our vision of burial.
Fear is an inevitable emotion in this environment, but everyone deals with it in their own way. Babajide was terrified at first, but got used to the environment. Mayuku, for his part, proposes a more daring solution by asking the families for alcohol so that the gravediggers can regain their courage. For Kayode, the fear persists, because for him, a corpse is a potentially disturbing spirit.
Working in a cemetery is not just a job, but a mission that requires respect and courage. These men, often unrecognized, carry out an essential task for our society, showing that even the most humble jobs have their importance.