The ‘Fantasy Coffins’ of Ghana; a unique funeral tradition that turns death into celebrations of life and why travellers are fascinated
While in most parts of the world mourn the deaths of loved ones, there’s one community in Ghana that turns death into remarkable work of art through their designer coffins. Yes, that’s right. Coffins are generally designed to look simple, plain and sober, signifying sadness. But Ghana does it completely differently. A community here has transformed coffins into art celebrating individuality, storytelling, experience and the lives people lived.Let’s find out more about this unique artistic coffins of Ghana:Handcrafted coffins
Instagram/@thatsinteresting
In Ghana, if you walk into a woodworking studio and find yourself staring at colourful and brightly painted giant fish, airplanes, giant fish, cocoa pods, mobile phones, lions, cameras, eagles, and even bottles of soft drinks, don’t panic! At first glance, they look like sculptures or just interesting art pieces. But in reality, they are handcrafted coffins. Each one is designed to represent the person’s liking, life story or more who will one day rest inside.A unique travel experienceFor travellers seeking unique experiences, beyond beaches and safaris, Ghana’s famous fantasy coffins offer a glimpse into one of Africa’s most distinctive cultural traditions which is rooted in the customs of the Ga people, who primarily live around the Greater Accra Region. This is one extraordinary society that transforms grief into a celebration of identity and legacy of the departed soul.More about Ga community
Instagram/@thatsinteresting
For Ga people, funerals are among the most important cultural events. People just don’t mourn, they also celebrate the event. The coffin acts as a final message and a visual representation telling the story of the deceased.You might see a fisherman being buried in a carved giant fish. A farmer could rest inside an ear of maize or cocoa pod. A businessman might plan a luxury car as his resting place. Teachers have been buried in books, pilots in airplanes, musicians in guitars and photographers in cameras, and so on .The idea is simple yet deeply meaningful: even in death, people continue telling the story of how they lived.The origins of Fantasy Coffins
Instagram/@thatsinteresting
The origins of Fantasy Coffins tradition traces its roots to the 1950s. There was a craftsman Seth Kane Kwei, who used to create ceremonial palanquins. The story goes that there was a woman who wanted to ride in a cocoa-pod-shaped palanquin but unfortunately she died before the ceremony.Then her family decided she should instead be buried in a cocoa-pod-shaped coffin and a unique tradition was born that captured worldwide attention. Today, several generations of artisans continue this craftsmanship in communities such as Teshie, Nungua, and other parts of Greater Accra.Handmade coffinsThese coffins are made using local hardwoods. Craftsmen first sketch the design before building a full-scale wooden sculpture. It takes weeks to finish .Because every design is unique, no two fantasy coffins are exactly alike.Some families plan these commissions months in advance so the final creation perfectly reflects the deceased’s personality and achievements.For cultural travellers, a visit to fantasy coffin workshops is a must and among the most unusual experiences available in West Africa.Can tourists visit?
Instagram/@thatsinteresting
Yes. But respectfully.Many artisan workshops around Teshie and Accra welcome interested visitors. Guided cultural tours often include stops at family-run coffin studios, where visitors can watch artisans at work. As more travellers seek meaningful cultural experiences, Ghana’s fantasy coffins prove that even the final journey can be a celebration.
