Paa Joe: Master Coffin Maker of Different Novelty Caskets in Ghana

Ga tribe of Ghana celebrate the death of their loved ones in different style through the use of novelty coffins. The tribe made a specially-designed caskets that came in all shapes and sizes, such as a movie projector, a gas pump and a grand piano inspired coffin.

According to the tribe’s belief the dead move on to another life and they need a “new home.” The idea of a coffin being inspired by different objects shunned the traditional idea of a sorrow-filled funeral.

The West African tribe have been this kind of ritual for the past few years, they have used to a celebratory funeral as what their elders have told them to do so.

Unique designs were also featured on some of their coffins especially for those individuals who have p(–foul word(s) removed–)ed away and has a fond of technology. Some of them made a coffin inspired by a mobile phone model.

The novelty coffins are designed also to represent their previous jobs, such as a car if they were a driver, a fish if they were fisherman or any other items that are related to their livelihood.

One of the most popular and well-known coffin maker was the 67-year-old Paa Joe from Ghana in West Africa. According to Paa Joe he made up literally hundreds of unusual coffins for the past few decades.

The prolific coffin maker was working at the Kane Kwei Carpentry Works in Accra, Ghana, one of the most recognized coffin maker company in Western Africa.

The company who manufactured a unique novelty coffin have been making the unusual items since its inception during the year 1950’s. The Kane Kwei Carpentry Works was founded by Seth Kane Kwei.

According to Paa Joe his first ever coffin was created in the shape of an aeroplane, so that his grandmother could take her ‘first flight’ after she died.