National Museum of Funeral History
On display
at the Museum are 12 coffins carved to resemble forms ranging from animals
to objects representative of the life of the deceased. The exhibition,
presented in "A Life Well Lived: Fantasy Coffins- Kane Quaye" are coffins
of a KLM Airliner, a Mercedes Benz, a Fish, a Fishing Canoe, a Leopard,
a Chicken, a Bull, a Crab, a fish Eagle, a Lobster, a Shallot, and a Yamaha
Outboard Motor.
 These
brightly colored and intricately designed wooden coffins were crafted
by the Ghanaian sculptor Kane (pronounced "Kahnnee") Quaye, also known
as Seth Kane Kwe, in his homeland and by members of his workshop in Accra,
Ghana. Each of the coffins is designed to capture the essence
of the departed - be it a character trait, an occupation, or a symbol
of one's standing in the community.
 For example, the leopard coffin signifies
a person with power, such as a tribal or political leader. The chicken,
a frequent subject of proverbs in Akan culture, often represents a mother
who is protective of her chicks. To the Ghanaian people, the community
to which Quaye belonged, death is not an end, but a transaction to the
spiritual realm of the ancestors. In fact, ancestors are forever considered
members of the family. It is believed that if the deceased is properly
honored, such actions secure spiritual favor for the family left on earth.
As a result, burial practices among the Ghanaian are often lavish, with
customized coffin centerpiece. |
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There is a saying
in Ghanaian culture that "life is a march toward the grave." Although
one of these sculpted coffins may cost an average year's salary in
Ghana, families and communities often band together to make such a
purchase possible. This is believed to protect the well-being of the
deceased in the after-world.
Quaye began crafting these "Fantasy Coffins" more than 30 years ago
at his dying uncle's request for a special coffin. Because his uncle
was a fisherman, Kane built him a coffin in the shape of a fishing
canoe. Following the highly favorable response of the local community
to his coffins, Kane opened his own workshop to produce personalized
coffins, a craft he elevated into high art. Today these fantasy coffins
continue as a tradition in Ghana and have been commissioned by people
from around the world.
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The collection of coffins represents the single
largest assemblage of fantasy coffins outside of Ghana.
These coffins are permanent part of the Museum's collections.
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