A giant pink fish, a colorful peacock, an airplane painted with the national flag. These are just some of Ghana’s fantasy coffins, known as Abebuo, which translates to “proverb.”
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 colorful alternative to simple wooden boxes.
When a family loses a loved one, they gather to decide how to honor them. They visit a carpentry workshop, some with a clear vision, others seeking the carpenters’ guidance to create a fitting tribute.
The choice depends on each person. A fishmonger might
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