Ghana Coffins

What is the object that defines you?

An iPhone? Perhaps it’s a kitchen knife, a TV remote, a car key, a chocolate or a beer?

If you were Ghanaian, specifically from the Ga tribe, you might commission a coffin in the shape of your defining object from these guys - the original creators of what in the West are called ‘fantasy coffins’ but in Ga are referred to as ‘abebuu adekai’ - or ‘boxes of proverbs.’

Photo courtesy of Eric Adjetey Anang

The pictures of coffins below were sent to me by Kane Kwei’s grandson, Eric Adjetey Anang, who together with his father still works in the Kane Kwei workshop in Tishie, outside Accra. He is my guest on Ep. 33 - The Ghana Coffin Maker.

All photos courtesy of Eric Adjetey Anang.