Death, like birth, as it is believed, in certain cultures is the transition from one world to the other. It is, in other words a return to the other world or a journey to the unknown world as some people may put it.

 

The dead are normally buried in graves after certain rituals have been performed. These rituals have various significances and vary from people to people.

 

In the olden days, most people in Ghana like the krobo, wrapped the dead bodies in mats made of grass; others in a piece of cloth or palm branches, for burial.

 

In modern times, coffins or caskets are used to bury the dead in Africa. This is a Western practice, which has been fused into the African culture.

 

In very recent times the fabrication of coffins and caskets has taken a fantastic and sophisticated dimension, with the forms and shapes moving away from a simple rectangular woodwork to zoomorphic and anthropomorphic styles. They are made in the replica of the deceased profession; others reflect the social status or character traits of the deceased.

 

This art is popular among the Ga of Teshie Nungua, a suburb of Accra, who are believed to be the originators of this new style of making coffins.

 

Although coffin making is basically the work of the carpenter, in the case of the designer coffins, other artisans like the painter the sprayer and interior decorator contribute to the finished product. 

 

 

      Lighter wawa wood is used to make coffins. Such coffins are less expensive and easier to carve and lighter to transport the dead to the cemetery for burial.

 

      Heavier, hard wood – emire, mahogany or African cedar   are used for coffins destined for private and museum collections.

 

The style of these designer coffins reflects the occupation, the social standing and character trait of the deceased. However the form must meet the standard measurement of for normal coffins.

 

A coffin for a fisherman is modelled in a shape of fish or a canoe. A coffin in a form of a car is used to bury a driver or a car owner and sometimes a wealthy man. Animals such as lions and leopards are styled for hunters. A bible and a chapel represent a devout Christian.

 

 

Clothing materials are used to decorate the interior of the coffins. They are padded with Kapok fibres and lined with coloured polyster, satin and lace materials with decorative trimming.

 

Kane was a native of Teshie. He served as an apprentice to his uncle, a carpenter. By the early 1960s he established his own shop and produced traditional regalia for chiefs (linguist staff, palanquins etc.)

 

Kane shifted to coffin art when he had to make a coffin in a canoe model for his dying uncle. This was fantastic and marked the beginning of his success with coffin art, with his coffins being in high demand.

 

Paa Wille and Paa Joe are both natives of Nungua, and both apprentices of Kane Quaye. They have also distinguished themselves in the coffin art industry.