The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges to societies worldwide, imposing unprecedented restrictions on the way people grieve and commemorate their departed loved ones. In the context of Indonesia, a country renowned for its rich and expressive cultural and religious mourning practices, these restrictions have profound implications. This study explores the intricate relationship between death, grief, and the limitations imposed by pandemic-related protocols within Indonesian religious culture. Indonesia’s diverse cultural landscape encompasses a myriad of religious traditions and religious rituals that (...) offer solace and support during times of loss. However, stringent safety measures, including restrictions on funerals and burial practices, have disrupted these customs. This paper delves into the emotional and psychological impact of these restrictions on the Indonesian population, examining the tension between the deep-rooted religious and cultural practices surrounding death and mourning, and the necessity of adhering to public health measures. The results of this study unveil the silent sorrows experienced by Indonesians, who have been forced to adapt their grieving process. It explores the innovative ways in which individuals and communities have sought to maintain their religious and cultural identities while adhering to pandemic protocols. Furthermore, it reflects the resilience and adaptability of Indonesian society in the face of unprecedented challenges. By shedding light on this unique intersection of religious and cultural traditions, pandemic restrictions, and grief, this article contributes to a deeper understanding of how societies cope with losses during times of crisis. It emphasises the importance of preserving religious-cultural identity and mental well-being even amidst adversity and calls for a more nuanced approach to pandemic management that respects the cultural tapestry of a nation while safeguarding public health. (shrink)

This paper illustrates the significance of the epistolary short story within the cultural backgrounds of the various settings in the stories selected for the study. The short stories deployed in this essay are Karen King-Aribisala’s ‘Dear Okonkwo,’ Dul Johnson’s ‘Cinders of the Volcano,’ Kasimma Chinelo Okani’s ‘A Letter to the Dead,’ and Chuma Nwokolo’s ‘The Ransom Letters of Sisi Eko.’ The methodology adopted in this study is textual and qualitative deployed through an in-depth study of the selected stories and a (...) literary analysis of the data obtained thereafter. This study adopts the new formalism critical approach with the belief that literature should be studied as a combination of the artistic content and the society that produces it. This essay finds that the Nigerian epistolary short story is significant in the promotion and enablement of necromancy, provision of emotional and psychological therapy and promotion of moral rectitude in the society. (shrink)