Images: Nelson Mandela funeral
A hearse carrying Mandela’s body drove into his hometown Qunu in rural South Africa before his burial Sunday, returning the country’s peacemaker to the place where he had always wanted to die. According to Xhosa tribal tradition, Mandela was honored as a leader by placing a leopard skin on the coffin, replacing the flag. Here are images from his funeral ceremonies.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, left, Nelson Mandelas former wife, left and Nelson Mandelas widow Graca Machel stand over the former South African presidents casket during his funeral service in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, December 15, 2013. The woman on the right is unidentified.
Associated Press
Former South African President Nelson Mandelas casket is taken by gun carriage to his burial place in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.
Associated Press
Military personnel line the route as former South African President Nelson Mandelas casket is taken to its burial place in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.
Associated Press
Helicopters make a flypast as the casket of former South African President Nelson Mandela arrives at the burial site in Qunu, South Africa Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.
Associated Press
The casket of Nelson Mandela is brought in a military parade on a gun carriage from the family home to the funeral tent, prior to his burial, in Qunu, South Africa Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.
Associated Press
The casket of Nelson Mandela is brought in a military parade on a gun carriage from the family home to the funeral tent, prior to his burial, in Qunu, South Africa Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.
Associated Press
Shembe priest Michael Notychanga prays in the direction of the home of former South African President Nelson Mandela on a hill where in the distance you can see the dome where his funeral service takes place in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.
Associated Press
The casket of Nelson Mandela is brought in a military parade on a gun carriage from the family home to the funeral tent, prior to his burial, in Qunu, South Africa Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.
Associated Press
Family members and guests attend the funeral service for former South African President Nelson Mandela in a makeshift tent in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, December 15, 2013.
Associated Press
Nelson Mandelas widow Graca Machel, right, and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Nelson Mandelas former wife, listen to speakers during the funeral service for former South African President Nelson Mandela in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.
Associated Press
South African mourners wave and cheer as the hearse transporting the body of Former President Nelson Mandela passes through the town of Mthatha on its way to Qunu, South Africa, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013.
Associated Press
The motorcade transporting the body of Nelson Mandela, in black hearse, passes through crowds of mourners gathered in the town of on its way to Qunu, South Africa Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013.
Associated Press
This frame grab from SABC shows an overhead shot of former South African President Nelson Mandelas casket during his funeral service Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in Qunu, South Africa.
Associated Press
A mourner carries a poster of Nelson Mandela as walks along a hilltop opposite to get a view of the arrival of the casket of Nelson Mandela at the burial site in Qunu, South Africa Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.
Associated Press
Former South African President Nelson Mandelas casket is carried by gun carriage to his burial site following his funeral service for Mandela in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.
Associated Press
Airplanes make a flypast as the casket of Nelson Mandela arrives at the burial site in Qunu, South Africa Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.
Associated Press
Family members attend the funeral service for former South African President Nelson Mandela in Qunu, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.
Associated Press
The casket of Nelson Mandela is brought in a military parade on a gun carriage from the family home to the funeral tent, prior to his burial, in Qunu, South Africa Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.
Associated Press
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