In the bustling neighborhoods of Accra, Ghana, a tradition as vibrant as the city itself is transforming the way people say goodbye to their loved ones. Here, a final farewell isn’t marked by a somber wooden box, but by a riot of color, creativity, and symbolism—thanks to the nation’s famed fantasy coffins, known locally as Abebuo, which translates to “proverb.” These extraordinary coffins, shaped like everything from giant pink fish to peacocks and airplanes painted with the national flag, are more than just containers for the dead. They are, quite literally, stories carved in wood, each one a metaphor, a riddle, a final message left behind for those who remain.
According to the Associated Press, these fantasy coffins have long been a hallmark of the Ga people in Accra, but their popularity is spreading rapidly across Ghana. The movement offers a colorful alternative to the plain, unadorned boxes that once dominated funerary customs. For families, the process of choosing a coffin is both deeply personal and communal. When a loved one passes, relatives gather to decide how best to honor their memory. Some arrive at the carpentry workshop with a clear vision—perhaps a fishmonger will be commemorated in the form of the very fish he sold, down to the species—while others seek the guidance of skilled carpenters to create a fitting tribute that captures the deceased’s essence.
The rules governing coffin design are anything but arbitrary. Each shape reflects the identity, occupation, and social status of the departed. Chiefs are laid to rest in lion-shaped coffins, the animal’s regal bearing a symbol of power. In Labadi, a coastal suburb of Accra, royal families are associated with the rooster, a design reserved exclusively for their lineage. For a farmer, the tools of his trade or the crops he tended might inspire the final form. The choice is a deeply meaningful one, a last word on a life well-lived—or, sometimes, a playful wink at the quirks and passions that defined the individual.
Crafting these wooden marvels is no small feat. Each coffin takes about two weeks to complete, with prices starting around $700—a significant sum in Ghana, and one that can rise depending on the type of wood used and the intricacy of the design. Yet, as the AP reports, funerals here are not occasions for thrift. They are vibrant, joyous affairs, replete with music, dancing, and dazzling displays of cultural heritage. The fantasy coffin is the centerpiece of these celebrations, transforming the mood and captivating mourners with its bold colors and whimsical shapes.
“People forget for a moment what’s inside; they admire the coffin and the atmosphere shifts,” explained Eric Kpakpo Adotey, a carpenter who specializes in these unique creations, in an interview with the Associated Press. It’s not uncommon for laughter to mingle with tears, as sorrow is softened by the sheer creativity on display. For those left behind, the coffin is more than a final resting place—it is a testament to a life, a proverb to be read and remembered.
But the influence of Ghana’s fantasy coffins extends far beyond the country’s borders. While families see them as heartfelt tributes, collectors and art enthusiasts around the world have come to view them as striking works of art. Nicolas Ablorh Annan, a coffin maker from Accra, told the AP that his family has been in the business for generations, starting with his great-grandfather. For them, it’s a family enterprise, not a ritual. Some coffins never hold bodies at all; instead, they find new life in museums and galleries abroad. “International interest is growing,” Annan said, noting that he was preparing six coffins for shipment overseas the week after the article’s publication. Many foreign clients now order these coffins primarily for exhibitions, seeing them as powerful symbols of Ghanaian culture and artistry.
The allure of these coffins is undeniable. They are so colorful, so imaginative, that they can make dying seem—if not attractive, then at least less daunting. The Associated Press photo editors, who curated a recent gallery on the subject, described the fantasy coffins as a phenomenon that “embodies the essence of a life” and offers a “colorful alternative to simple wooden boxes.” It’s a sentiment echoed by many who have witnessed the spectacle of a Ghanaian funeral firsthand.
Indeed, the presence of a fantasy coffin can transform the entire atmosphere of a funeral. Mourners, weighed down by grief, find themselves drawn in by the craftsmanship and the boundless imagination on display. The coffin becomes a focal point for storytelling, a tangible reminder of the deceased’s passions, achievements, and idiosyncrasies. In this way, the tradition serves as both a balm for the bereaved and a celebration of the individual spirit.
Yet, for all their whimsy, these coffins are also deeply rooted in questions of identity and community. The right to a particular design is never taken lightly. It is a reflection of lineage, occupation, and social standing—a visual shorthand for a life’s journey. In a world where funerals can often feel generic or impersonal, Ghana’s fantasy coffins offer a profoundly personal alternative. They invite mourners to remember, to laugh, to cry, and above all, to celebrate.
The impact of this tradition is now being felt far beyond Ghana. As international collectors clamor for these works of art, and as museums seek to showcase them as examples of African ingenuity and craftsmanship, the fantasy coffin has become an unlikely ambassador for the country’s cultural heritage. It’s a reminder that even in death, there is room for creativity, for beauty, and for joy.
In the end, each fantasy coffin is more than just a vessel for the dead. It is a story, a proverb, a testament to the enduring power of art and tradition. And as families across Ghana—and now, the world—embrace this colorful custom, it’s clear that the legacy of Abebuo will continue to inspire, comfort, and captivate for generations to come.
