Museum Explorer
Death in Africa
Coffin in the shape of an eagle
From: Teshie, Ghana
Date: AD 2000
The Ga people of Ghana started making wooden coffins in fantastic shapes in the 1950s. The practice quickly became popular and is still followed today. After someone dies, their family come up with ideas for a coffin to hold their body at their funeral. The shape that they choose shows what was important to the dead person. This one is a huge eagle, but they can be anything from aeroplanes to fish, cameras or books.
Skilled carpenters then draw up plans and build the coffin. When it is finished the body is laid carefully inside on a silk lining, before they are finally buried in it.
