Ghana's fantasy coffins colourful celebration of life, legacy

A giant pink fish, a colourful peacock, an airplane painted with the national flag. These are just some of Ghana’s fantasy coffins, known as Abebuo, which translates to “proverb”.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

Each piece is crafted not just to bury the deceased, but to embody the essence of their life. A farmer isn’t laid to rest in a car; instead his coffin might take the shape of the tools he used or the crops he cultivated. The design itself becomes metaphor, a wooden riddle, a final message left behind.

Fantasy coffins, while common among the Ga people of Accra, are becoming a widespread practice, offering a colourful alternative to simple wooden boxes.

When a family loses a loved one, they gather to decide how to honour them. They visit a carpentry workshop, some with a clear vision, others seeking the carpenters’ guidance to create a fitting tribute.