Funerals in Ghana are a crucial element of paying respects to the departed. They are more than just a farewell; they are a profound cultural rite that unites families, friends, and communities. Planning and executing each funeral can span weeks or even months. In Ghana, a funeral is not only about mourning but also about celebrating the life, legacy, and impact of the deceased.
Map of Ghana showcasing the different regions and tribes.
Ghana is home to several distinct cultures, including the Ashanti, Mole-Dagbon, and Fante tribes. Specifically, many cultural and ethnic groups coexist in Ghana. Although their customs are not always the same, they do share many similarities! Despite their differences, they share common funeral rites, each emphasizing unique aspects of the ceremony.
In this post we visit some of the tribes across the country to observe their unique takes on funerals and death. Additionally, Ghanaian peoples often follow a strict funeral etiquette and their customs about death may vary. In most cases funerals are important for everyone in the community. Moreover, they typically take place in different stages.
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Fantasy Coffins: A Unique Burial Custom
One of the world-famous Ghanaian funeral practices are the fantasy coffins! Fantasy (or figurative) coffins in Ghana is a burial custom met in the Greater Accra region. Professional carpenters that specialize in customizing them, have been making them since the 1950s. Originally, the Ga people reserved such coffins exclusively for funerals of tribe chiefs and priests.
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Example of a fantasy coffin.
However, when Christianity spread in the Greater Accra area in the 50s and 60s, with it fantasy coffins became popular for everyone. Because of that, by the end of these decades Fantasy Coffins was a more or less common funeral practice. Christians used the pre-existing traditional figurative palanquins of the Ga, in order to develop their funeral customs.
Fantasy coffins are, indeed, based on figurative palanquins that date to the early 20th century. Furthermore, there is a direct link between them and the religious beliefs of the Ga regarding death and the afterlife. Specifically, the Ga did not see death as the end, since life continued in the following realm of existence. Moreover, life after death very often was quite similar to life before it.
Therefore, fantasy coffins are a literal representation of the profession of the deceased, consisting of symbols that indicate their earthly job. For instance, a sword would be a regal symbol often signifying that the deceased is a priest. In addition to that, certain coffins can refer to particular Ga proverbs. Moreover, in order for someone to be buried in a fantasy coffin, they need to possess certain social status. Simultaneously, having a customized coffin like that functioned as a source of social status in itself.
Additionally, ancestors, kinship ties and belongingness to a tribe is very important for these burials and the customization of the coffin. For example, fantasy coffins of animals such as lions and crabs were common. These are symbols of certain tribes or clans since these animals are the token of these tribes.
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General Funeral Etiquette in Ghana
In addition to the Fantasy Coffins, Ghana is home to more interesting death practices. It is common for the funeral to take place weeks or months after the death of a person. This way the family has more time to prepare and gather sources in order for the occasion to be more elaborate and opulent.
In many Ghanaian funerals, the dress code is black and white and has a double meaning. On one hand, it symbolizes the end of the first grieving period. However, on the other it shows that the family of the deceased is grateful to God. Moreover, it is usually the direct family that follows the black and white dress code. Tribe leaders typically wear their traditional garb. Some attendees may also wear kaba, a garment similar to a blazer.
Furthermore, if the deceased had sons, they have to follow another dressing etiquette. Specifically, they wear net caps with small ladders on them. These have decorations of red peppers that function as a sign of the seriousness of the situation.
Tribal Variations in Funeral Customs
Ghana is home to several distinct cultures, including the Ashanti, Mole-Dagbon, and Fante tribes. Despite their differences, they share common funeral rites, each emphasizing unique aspects of the ceremony. The modern-day nation of Ghana encompasses several diverse tribes, each holding village ancestors and the deceased in high regard.
Ashanti Funerals
Death for Ashanti is not so much an individual or a family affair, as it is an important event for the entire village or community. However, family still holds key roles in terms of preparing the body of their relative before and after they die. Additionally, once the burial is complete, close family members organize a festive event for the whole community.
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Chiefs join the post-burial festivities, observing them below their large umbrellas with vibrant colors. It is important that the attendees initially interact with each other with traditional greetings. Once this is complete, the festivities peak with dancing. Furthermore, all these festivities signify that the dead have moved to the world after ours (known as Okra). For the Ashanti it is important that the soul of the dead successfully reaches Okra. Specifically, this way they become a guardian spirit, protecting its living relatives.
Mole-Dagbon Funerals
The Dagomba people, part of the Mole-Dagbon tribe that resides across six West African countries, including Ghana, have unique funeral customs influenced by chieftaincy and familial connections. Islamic themes are present in Dagomba funerals due to the tribe's association with Islam, but traditional African spirituality remains integral.
Dagomba culture maintains a connection with the afterlife through its ancestors, believing they perpetually observe the living. At a Dagomba funeral, it's common to assume that the deceased is watching the proceedings.
Fante Funerals
The Fante tribe belongs to the Akan people and they mostly live in coastal areas. One of the most famous Fante individuals is diplomat Kofi Annan. A particularly interesting characteristic of their culture is the fact that they follow a set of matrilineal traditions. Due to this, they are different from most Akan populations.
First of all, for the Fante, the side of the mother’s family defines a person’s lineage (‘abusua’). Specifically, that direct family consists only of one’s abusua. For instance, a man often has stronger ties with his sister’s children than his own. Additionally, these notions are present at a Fante funeral as well. It is the maternal abusua that is the directly responsible for one’s funeral.
In addition to the above, social status and respect are also significant elements of Fante funerals. Specifically, the higher their social status, the longer and more luxurious the funerals are going to be. Moreover, the luxury of these funerals is a sign of respect of the dead. Theatrical shows with amplified music may take precedence over traditional drums to create a more impressive ceremony.
Ewe Funerals
Ewe people reside in Eastern Ghana, Togo and Benin. Dancing and music, especially drums are extremely important in Ewe religious beliefs. Therefore, Ewe funerals incorporate drums and dancing as well. An azaguno, is a performer that specializes in rhythmic vugbe. These performers use specific drumming patterns for certain parts of the funeral, like the wake and when receiving the body. It is an honor to be a drummer that performs in such occasions. For example, the family often bows down to drummers as a sign of respect and gratitude. Moreover, when a member of a drum or dancing group passes away, they receive a lavish funeral.
In modern times these performances keep chancing. For instance, azaguno create their vugbe, next to playing the existing ones. Village or tribe elders feel that the new drum patterns are a corrupted version of the older one. However, modern drummers feel proud of their compositions.
Religious Influences and Modern Adaptations
Ghanaians' perspectives on death and the afterlife are influenced by their religious beliefs, with the majority of the population practicing Christianity (72 percent) and Islam (17.6 percent). While only 5.2 percent identify with indigenous African religions as their primary spirituality, traditional African religious practices still play a significant role in nearly all funeral ceremonies in Ghana.
With Christianity as the dominant faith, many funerals combine traditional rites with church services, hymns, and scripture readings. Families may hold both a traditional gathering and a chapel service, reflecting a blend of heritage and faith.
In recent decades, funerals have also taken on new forms:
- Elaborate poster and banner announcements in towns.
- Printed invitation cards shared with diaspora relatives.
- Livestreaming for family abroad.
This evolution shows how Ghanaians preserve tradition while embracing new ways to connect.
Ghanaian Funeral Food
Funerals often included a buffet that has fufu with different ‘colours’ of soups, tuo zafi, ampesi, jollof, banku, assorted meats and many more. These foods are usually accompanied by strong assorted alcoholic beverages. As in all manner of things, the nature of the meals is also meant to make a statement about how resourceful the family is.
How to Savor Fufu
Eating fufu is an art in itself. Pinch a small portion, mold it into an oval ball, and create an indentation. Use this hollow to scoop up soup or stew. Here's the twist: swallow it whole-no chewing required! Though the initial urge to chew might arise, practice makes perfect when it comes to swallowing fufu.
In the realm of tradition, hand-washing is a prerequisite before indulging in any swallow food. Cutlery is unnecessary as long as the hand-washing ritual is observed. Nigerians traditionally dine with their right hand, even if they are left-handed. So, when enjoying fufu in the company of Nigerian friends or at a traditional Nigerian restaurant, remember to keep it right!
Practical Aspects of Organising a Funeral
Planning a funeral involves multiple steps: securing a burial permit, booking venues, organising transportation, and producing brochures or posters. For many families, these tasks are overwhelming during a period of grief. Costs also add up quickly, as funerals in Ghana can attract hundreds of attendees.
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Christianity | 72% |
| Islam | 17.6% |
| Traditional African Religions | 5.2% |
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