Ghanaian Fantasy Coffins
The one commonality between all cultures is the unfortunate reality of death. No matter where you are in the world, you are going to experience the death of a loved one. Many cultures have different ways of honoring their dead, and today we are going to explore a unique burial practice used in Ghana.
What are Fantasy Coffins?
The coffins used in some Ghanaian burial practices have many names: fantasy coffins, figurative coffins, abebuu adekai (meaning “proverb boxes” in Ga), or Fantastic Afterlife Vehicles (FAV). These are all words that mean the same thing: a vibrant and unique way to honor someone who has died. This tradition in Ghana transforms the somber act of burial into a celebration of life using custom-made coffins that reflect the personality, status, profession, or aspirations of the deceased.
What are the Origins of the Fantasy Coffin?
This tradition originated in the Ga community near Accra as a part of their burial practices. A very generalized reason is that the Ga people believe that life continues as it was when the spirit enters the next life. They also believe that the symbolism and artwork of the coffin will show their status with their ancestors, who have a strong hand in guiding their living relatives.
According to legend, Seth Kane Kwei is the young carpenter thought to be the inventor of fantasy coffins. He attended a funeral where the deceased was buried in a cocoa pod. He had built the pod himself, and it was originally supposed to be a palanquin, but unfortunately the chief died suddenly. He was then buried in the pod.
Shortly after the death of this chief, Kane Kwei’s own grandmother died. He thought back to the unique way that the chief had been buried in the cocoa pod, so he decided to make an airplane-shaped coffin to honor his grandmother’s fascination with them.
Despite Kane Kwei passing away in 1992, his legacy of custom coffins for the deceased lives on. His original workshop still operates today, and many of his former apprentices own their own workshops.
How are Fantasy Coffins Made?
Since fantasy coffins are made by regular Ghanaian carpenters, these special coffins are made to order. Understandably, there is much preparation that goes into these creations, so they can take up to 2 weeks to finish.
The measurements have to be just right so that the body has some room inside the coffin. Then the coffin is carefully constructed into whatever shape is desired for the deceased. They are sandpapered down to avoid any sharp edges and splinters. Finally, the coffins are sprayed or painted as the finishing touches. Some coffins are also decorated with extras such as stone, glass, beads, or anything else that the artisan desires.
What Kind of Coffins are Made?
Fantasy coffins take the form of objects that symbolize the individual’s life. For example, a fisherman might be buried in a coffin shaped like a fish, while a teacher might rest in a book-shaped coffin.
Others might choose designs representing their dreams, such as airplanes or luxury cars, symbolizing a journey to the afterlife. Some are shaped as animals, representing the totem of the clan. If a stool or sword is featured, the descendant was someone of high status or a religious figure.
According to Eric Kpakpo Adotey, coffin carver at Erico Carpentry Workshop in La, Greater Accra, Ghana, the only limit relates to requesting a lion, eagle, or elephant. These animals often represent a chief, so unless you’re a chief, you would not be allowed to be buried in such a shape.
Final Thoughts
Fantasy coffins are more than just burial vessels—they are works of art that tell stories, honor their ancestors, celebrate individuality, and provide a colorful lens through which to view the universal experience of death.
If learning about the numerous burial practices around the world fascinates you, and you have an interest in mortuary sciences in general, you may want to consider a career in mortuary science. We would love to welcome you into our PIMS community!