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All Ghana Accra Ga-Adangbe Caskets - Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop

Ga-Adangbe Caskets - Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop

The clever workshop that has been designing some of the most unusual coffins imaginable.

Accra, Ghana

Added By
ser flac
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A boat coffin in 1960 (WikiCommons)   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ataa_Oko...
A boat coffin in 1960 (WikiCommons)   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ataa_Oko...
Recent work by Eric Adjetey Anang.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
The fallen tree is a traditional shape used in Ghana for an old man.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
The fallen tree is a traditional shape used in Ghana for an old man.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
Recent work by Eric Adjetey Anang.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
Recent work by Eric Adjetey Anang.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
9mm bullet coffin by Eric Adjetey Anang.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
Beluga Vodka Bottle Coffin by Eric Adjetey Anang.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
The fish is a common design used in Ghana.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
Toy rocket coffin by Eric Adjetey Anang.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
Sea Horse Coffin by Eric Adjetey Anang, made for the owner of a tropical fish store in Florida.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
Recent work by Eric Adjetey Anang.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
Recent work by Eric Adjetey Anang.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
Recent work by Eric Adjetey Anang.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
Recent work by Eric Adjetey Anang.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
Recent work by Eric Adjetey Anang.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
Recent work by Eric Adjetey Anang.   Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
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About

When members of the Ga-Adangbe in Ghana die, they move into their next life and affect the living from beyond the grave. To guarantee smooth transfer into the next world, their descendants bury them in elaborate coffins, made to symbolize their lives.

In the 1950s, a fisherman from Accra was buried in a fish-shaped coffin. He had made his livelihood from the sea and wanted to move into his next life in a reflection of the being that had supported him. Shortly after the first symbolic fish coffin was built, a number of skilled carpenters popularized the practice around Accra. Seth Kane Kwei, one of the original creators of the coffins, opened the first special workshop dedicated to making the specialized caskets and the trade began to blossom.

Coffins range from representations of careers, such as the fish or a taxicab, to more detailed depictions of the deceased habits. Alcohol bottle and cigarette-shaped coffins portraying the vice of the dead is also not unknown. Anything representing the life of the family member is chosen, and serves as the vessel guiding the deceased to their next life.

Today, the Ga-Adangbe are well known for their coffins, which often appear bizarre to Western visitors used to solemn funerary rights. Although Ga funerals are still a sad event, the unique coffins allow them to celebrate the life of the deceased and cull favor with their ancestors. Even though many Ga have very low income, they spend massive amounts to buy the specialized coffins, which can cost anywhere from $50 to $600.

Kwei's sons and grandsons are still designing caskets in a quirky variety of shapes. Their creations range from bananas and robots to firetrucks and spoons - whatever most encapsulates the spirit and personality of the loved one.

 

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Added By

serflac

Edited By

atimian, EricGrundhauser

  • atimian
  • EricGrundhauser

Published

September 19, 2011

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ga_people#Funerals_and_paying_last_respects
  • http://izismile.com/2009/10/22/the_unusual_coffins_of_the_ga_people_51_pics.html
  • http://www.squidoo.com/GhanaCoffins
Ga-Adangbe Caskets - Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
Teshie Road
Teshie
Accra
Ghana
5.576035, -0.112325
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