Celebrating life in death, the fantasy coffins of the Ga tribe in coastal southern Ghana appear like an Andy Warholesque remix of mass market brands repackaged as pop art. For the soda pop drink distributor, his coffin might be a life size Coca Cola replica and the former flight attendant, an aircraft, for the mother who bore many children, the chicken symbolising fertility. Though the popular models appear to be cars symbolic of material wealth, the bible, mobile phones and beer bottles, these fantasy coffins can literally be anything that you desire. A prominent NY-based journalist commissioned a replica of the Empire State building. Amongst the Ga people, the choice generally lies between an object that commemorates a person’s career/profession, fantasy, a favourite pastime or a symbol of material gain. . Though it is hard to imagine being buried in a cocoa pod, in Ghana where the cocoa pod bears great significance, this would be quite the note-worthy final resting ground.
This whimsical tradition, only about 50 years old is said to have begun when a carpenter wishing to make a grand gesture to a recently departed relative, carved a custom-made airplane to send her into the after-life. The relative had wished to travel in this life, but never quite made it. The gesture has since multiplied into a thriving business from Accra, the capital to its suburb of Teshi. So how much does one of these coffins set you back? The local starting price is $450USD and up, which might not sound like a bad investment for ones final resting place but this turns out to be quite the fortune in Ghana as it also equates the approximate average annual income. For those international enthusiasts, believe it or not, online orders can be placed with an adult-size creation starting at $1500 USD. The main challenge we imagine though is not how to clear it through customs but rather what object would you choose to take your final journey in?
Photo via Radio Nederland Wereldomroep
Where is Ghana?
