– the fabulous coffins of Ghana
(CNN) Funerals are often uplifting occasions in Ghana, where it is widely believed that death is the beginning of an afterlife, and the deceased should receive a rapturous send off.
A tradition has emerged within this culture of “proverb coffins” (abebuu adekai), which pay tribute to the occupant with a personalized and often spectacular design.
The following are some of these outlandish coffin designs
Get the party started – Funerals are often uplifting occasions in Ghana, where it is widely believed that death is the beginning of an afterlife, and the deceased should receive a rapturous send off.
The roots – According to legend, the first abebuu adekai was created in the 1950s when a “palanquin” carriage was made for a tribal leader in the shape of a cocoa pod. But the leader died suddenly, and quick-thinking subjects buried him in the pod. This inspired young carpenter Seth Kane Kwei to establish his own novelty coffin studio in the town of Teshie, and the The Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop (above) remains popular to this day.
Maiden flight – One of the first creations of the workshop was this coffin for Kane Kwei’s grandmother, who had never traveled in a plane but was fascinated by the new mode of transport.
Shortly after, a boat design was requested for a fisherman, and the practice was up and running.
Shortly after, a boat design was requested for a fisherman, and the practice was up and running.
Chips off the block – The abebuu adekai spread rapidly through the Greater Accra Region, with many of the leading figures emerging from the Kane Kwei stable. Legendary carpenter Paa Joe, seen with a piano design, was Kwei’s nephew and apprentice, and he went on to establish his own popular studio.
Spreading the wood – Daniel “Hello” Mensah, was an apprentice for Paa Joe, before launching his own practice the “Hello Design Coffin Works.”
Smile, please – This may have been ordered for a photographer
Departing in style – One customer will be well dressed at their funeral.
Art and craft – Creating the coffins is intensive labor, and can take several weeks to produce.
The artisans typically use light, white wood from the indigenous Wawa tree, although mahogany is sometimes used for exports.
The artisans typically use light, white wood from the indigenous Wawa tree, although mahogany is sometimes used for exports.
Going global – Most of the coffins for local sales cost under $1,000, although pieces sold abroad can be more expensive. The record price for abebuu adekai is a Paa Joe design that fetched $7930 through a London auction house.
Fine art – Many works from Kane Kwei alumni have been featured at leading art galleries around the world, such as this piece from Paa Joe at the Jack Bell gallery in London
Red hot – This spicy design was on display in Osnabrueck, northern Germany, also from Paa Joe.
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