Balanta’s Funeral Balatans is the only etnia in Guinea Bissau who don’t have a leader, it’s an anarchic society. There is a wise men board who take all the important decisions. They are animist and belive in spirits.When somebody die, they make a huge ceremony as big as the dead person´s family is. They start with the sacrifice of an animal.Men stay in one part drinking Cayu or Palma liquor, their traditional drinks, while women stay in another place all toguether. During the cremony young women start dancing and singing balanta songs. Afterward, they start praying before the close relatives bury the coffin. After that the celebration continues.