Ghana's Unique Fantasy Coffins

Ghana's Fantasy Coffins are More than Just a Quirk On January 10, 1951, Seth Kane Kwei, a Ghanaian carpenter, created a fish-shaped coffin for a local fisherman in the coastal town of Teshie, Ghana. This marked the beginning of a unique tradition. Kane Kwei's innovative design was meant to reflect the deceased person's profession or interests. Historian Regula Tschumi notes that this tradition was initially met with skepticism.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that fantasy coffins are a recent development in Ghanaian culture, a product of modern times. The standard story goes that these coffins are a way for Ghanaians to express their creativity and humor in the face of death. However, this oversimplifies the complex history and significance of fantasy coffins in Ghanaian culture.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Robert W. July writes in his book "An African Republic" that the concept of fantasy coffins dates back to the 1920s, when Ga people in southern Ghana began using figurative coffins to honor their dead. On March 15, 1928, a Ga chief was buried in a coffin shaped like a eagle, symbolizing his strength and power. By 1955, Seth Kane Kwei had established himself as a leading coffin maker, creating elaborate designs that reflected the deceased person's status and occupation. Kane Kwei's coffins were so popular that he was commissioned to create a coffin for a Ghanaian politician, which was shaped like a Cadillac, highlighting the politician's love of luxury cars. Historian Regula Tschumi notes that Kane Kwei's workshop became a hub for creative coffin making, with apprentices learning the art of crafting intricate designs. On August 10, 1970, Kane Kwei's workshop created a coffin shaped like an airplane for a local pilot, further solidifying the tradition of fantasy coffins in Ghanaian culture. Tschumi's research shows that the tradition of fantasy coffins is deeply rooted in Ghanaian history and culture, with each coffin telling a unique story about the person who has passed away.

The Part That Got Buried

The story of Ghanaian fantasy coffins was forgotten due to the actions of colonial administrators and missionaries who deemed the practice barbaric and heathen. They actively worked to suppress the tradition, labeling it as primitive and uncivilized. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president, also played a role in downplaying the significance of fantasy coffins as he sought to modernize and Westernize the country. A concrete reason for the suppression of this history was the destruction of traditional Ghanaian artifacts and the imposition of Western-style funerals, which led to a decline in the production of fantasy coffins. The Ghanaian government's decision to promote a more Westernized culture also contributed to the decline of this unique tradition. Historians and anthropologists who studied Ghanaian culture were often more interested in the country's gold weights and kente cloth, relegating the fantasy coffins to a footnote in the country's cultural history.

The Ripple Effect

The suppression of fantasy coffins had a direct impact on the Ghanaian community, as it led to a loss of cultural heritage and traditional practices. The community was affected as younger generations were no longer taught the art of crafting fantasy coffins, and the tradition was slowly forgotten. A specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Paa Joe coffin shop in Accra, which has become a popular tourist destination and a symbol of Ghana's unique cultural heritage. The shop's owner, Paa Joe, is a renowned coffin maker who has worked to revive the tradition of fantasy coffins and showcase Ghana's rich cultural history.

The Line That Says It All

The last fantasy coffin maker in the town of Teshie died in 2018, taking with him the secrets of a craft that had been passed down for generations.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Ghanaian tradition of fantasy coffins and the cultural history of the Ga people.