Unlike many places, funerals in Ghana are much more extravagant than weddings.
Ghana is a relatively small country in West Africa with a population of 30 million people. It is a representative nation of the African continent. In the 17th century, Ghana fell into colonial status, gaining independence in 1957 but experiencing political instability due to power struggles until 1990.
Overall, Ghana is wealthier and more successful than its neighboring countries. The key to Ghana’s success lies in gold mining, as it ranks among the top 10 producers of precious metals in the world. However, Ghana is most famous for its unique funeral traditions, which are among the most unusual on the planet.
According to the beliefs of Ghanaians, the soul of the deceased remains close to their loved ones and provides protection to the family. Both Muslims and Christians subscribe to such beliefs. As a result, funerals in Ghana become exceptionally important events, overshadowing most other events.
Looking at the lively dances and well-dressed attendees, few would think this is a funeral. When someone dies, the locals hire a professional pallbearer team and bid farewell to the deceased in a very joyful mood.
Dancing around the coffin is not uncommon for Africans. Recently, this scene has been captured, incorporating some effects and electronic music sounds, making the video very impressive and entertaining.
Black pallbearers wear bright, cheerful expressions. Everyone believes that life and death are unpredictable; the coffin is raised and lowered to the rhythm, reflecting a natural law. Death, dancing, and music are strangely intertwined in Ghanaian funerals.
Although the lives of the people are still quite challenging, funerals must always be solemn and generous. The cost of hiring the dance team and pallbearers can reach up to $400.
One person at a funeral here said: “Let my mother dance happily to return to God.” Another young man who just bid farewell to a relative said: “Before he passed away, my father loved to dance. So, let him dance one last time now.”
It seems that sending off the deceased through joyful steps is the way the living bring final joy to their loved ones before they are buried.
One of the other meanings of this custom is: “Death is just a new beginning. For the living, death is the end of life. But for the deceased, death means opening a new life in an interesting way.”
