Ghana's Dancing Pallbearers

Dancing pallbearers are a group of Ghanaian pallbearers who perform dance moves while carrying a coffin. The tradition is also known as the Coffin Dance or Dada awu, which means "Daddy's dead". 

How it started 

• Benjamin Aidoo started the tradition of dancing pallbearers to honor the wishes of families who are grieving.
• The tradition has gone viral, spawning memes and compilation videos.

Why it's done 

• The tradition adds a unique flair to funerals, which are an important part of Ghanaian culture.
• The tradition celebrates life in the face of death, and some say it feels honoring and victorious.

What they wear 

• The pallbearers wear elaborate suits and sunglasses.

What they do 

• The pallbearers walk down the street, balancing the coffin on their shoulders and performing dance moves to upbeat music.

Where they're from 

• The pallbearers are based in Prampram, a coastal town in the Greater Accra Region of Southern Ghana.

Watch Now