In many parts of Ghana, funeral ceremonies last for several days and display an important aspect of the country's culture. These elaborate celebrations are part of the mourning porcess, but they also function as a platform for social exchange. On weekends, funeral attire often dominates the public space. The clothing styles range from traditional to contemporary and are influenced by changing fashion trends. Through its funeral attire and its signs and symbols, Ghanaian society takes on a visible form.
During several trips, the costume designer Lisa Meier attended funerals in different regions of Ghana and captured in photographs of great immediacy the ceremonies and the mourning attire. The book, created together with the Ghanaian historian Irene Odotei, helps us read the clothes of the mourners. It provides an intimate view into West African culture and shows how it deals with death.
