Top Story: Ghana’s Vibrant “Fantasy Coffins” Offer More Than a Final Resting Place
Accra, Ghana — In Ghana, funerals are more than ceremonies of mourning — they are grand celebrations of life, identity and cultural artistry. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the “fantasy coffins” or Abebuu Adekai (meaning “proverb”) tradition, where caskets are designed to reflect the life, profession or passions of the deceased.
From coffins shaped like aeroplanes, fish, and peacocks to tools, crops, or symbolic animals, each custom design carries symbolic meaning. A farmer might be laid to rest in a coffin shaped like the crops he tended; chiefs may be honoured with lion‑shaped coffins as lion motifs are reserved for those of high status.
Although the tradition has its roots among the Ga people of Accra, the practice has grown in popularity across Ghana. Families typically visit skilled carpentry workshops to collaborate with artisans to produce the bespoke coffins when a loved one passes.
Art, Ritual, and Identity
Artisans treat each coffin as both a work of craftsmanship and a narrative. Each piece — from its structure, ornamentation, colour‑scheme and shape — is selected to express something unique about the departed. For many, the coffin becomes a final metaphor or message: a way of saying, “this was who they were.”
To construct these elaborate coffins often takes roughly two weeks. Prices start at around US$700, varying widely depending on the wood quality and complexity of design. Though intended for burial, some of these coffins instead serve as art pieces for exhibitions abroad.
Communal Mourning Made Personal
Funerals in Ghana are joyous affairs, with vibrancy, music, and procession forming integral parts of the ritual. In La, Accra, in workshops like those of Eric Kpakpo Adotey, fantasy coffins are displayed alongside traditional ones, transforming grief into celebration.
“People forget for a moment what’s inside; they admire the coffin and the atmosphere shifts,” says Adotey, noting how the craftsmanship, colour and imagination help soften sorrow for mourners.
From Local Tradition to Global Recognition
While this artistic casket tradition remains deeply rooted in local custom, its appeal has crossed Ghana’s borders. International collectors and museums have taken interest, ordering fantasy coffins as cultural artifacts and artistic expressions.
