To the casual observer, the colourful procession of beautifully arranged gifts at an Akan funeral may appear to be just another funeral custom.
In reality, it is Akyerɛdeɛ— a cherished tradition through which husbands, wives and other in-laws publicly honour a deceased parent-in-law while reaffirming the enduring bond between two families united through marriage.
Among many Akan communities, funeral preparations involve three distinct rites that are often mistaken for one another: Adwaredeɛ, Adesiedeɛ and Akyerɛdeɛ.
Adwaredeɛ (bathing items) comprises the items used to prepare and dress the body before burial.
Adesiedeɛ (burial items) consists of the items placed with or provided for the deceased before interment.
Akyerɛde, however, refers to the display gifts presented at the funeral grounds by the in-laws and publicly exhibited before they are formally received by the bereaved family.
The Akyerɛdeɛ ceremony is both dignified and symbolic.
In a solemn procession, attendants carry ornate brass bowls on their heads, displaying carefully arranged gifts before family, friends and mourners.
The presentation often includes bottled water, assorted beverages, soft drinks, towels, toiletries such as soap, sponge and perfume, cloth, blankets, bed sheets, pillows, shoes and cash.
Toffees are also commonly included, replacing the kola nuts that featured prominently in earlier times as a symbol of hospitality and goodwill.
In some communities, packets of matches are presented to symbolise the provision of fire or light for the deceased's onward journey.
Beyond the display, every item conveys appreciation.
The gifts are not intended to demonstrate wealth but to express gratitude to the family that gave a husband or wife in marriage.
Through that, the surviving in-law pays a final tribute to a departed father-in-law or mother-in-law while affirming that the relationship between the two families continues beyond death.
Although modern lifestyles have influenced the form of the ceremony, its essence has endured.
Families may simplify the presentation or substitute some traditional items with financial support, but the values remain unchanged.
More than a funeral spectacle, Akyerɛdeɛ is a celebration of gratitude, respect and kinship, and an enduring reminder that in Akan culture, the ties created through marriage deserve to be honoured long after a loved one has departed.
