Ghana's dancing pallbearers: life after becoming THE meme of Covid-19 - BBC Africa
Vložit
- čas přidán 3. 05. 2020
- In 2017 this troupe of Ghanaian pallbearers went viral following BBC Africa's coverage of their flamboyant coffin-carrying dances, garnering millions of views.
Three years later and the group has experienced a second round of internet fame, with social media users adopting the troupe as a dark-humoured symbol of death in the time of Covid-19.
BBC Africa's Sulley Lansah met up with the leader of the troupe to get his reaction to his new-found fame, and to see how he's coping during the pandemic.
Edited by Faith Ilevbare and Marko Zoric
Subscribe: bit.ly/subscribetoafrica
Website: www.bbc.com/africa
Facebook: / bbcnewsafrica
Twitter: / bbcafrica
Instagram: / bbcafrica
![Kingdom of Kush - History Of Africa with Zeinab Badawi [Episode 4]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/CwaP1kyAqqo/mqdefault.jpg)
They are the purest definition of "Don't be sad because they died, be happy because they lived"
I agree!!!!
Celebrating someone's life is indeed better than mourning over their death
I think the real quote was
Dont be sad because its over,be happy that it happened
@@GollumFishy bruh
Don't be died because they happy, be lived because they sad.
The internet can elevate or ruin a person's life.
@Leo A There is one meme is the prime example that ruin a person's life. Back in 2014-2015, there is one meme that causes controversy surrounding one Taipei couple who were models during that time. The meme "Plastic Surgery: You Can't Hide it Forever", causes a backlash to the couple. Until the lady who is behind that infamous photo, came to BBC, and said that she cannot sleep due to the amount of harassment she garnered. www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34568674
Vaas Montenegro Who the hell is she? Legitimately never seen her on internet nor the memes. Is it even considered a meme at this point?
@@Soulify yeah it was a big meme in Asia back in the day. Really sad how the real life consequences turned out… and the ad company denied all responsibility :(
qyrghyz Ah so, a low tier meme that never really became viral.
@@Soulify Not worldwide, to be sure, but viral enough to have a great impact on her career and life.
I could hear the song while they were dancing
🕺🏿. 🕺🏿
🕺🏿⚰️🕺🏿
,🕺🏿. 🕺🏿
*Astronomia intensifies*
@BlaDe Clan Elite sup fellow pallbearer
@@justarandompallbearer i am not next right
Hell yeah
😂😂
The only sad thing is, you can't see or hear and enjoying the moment when they're carrying you
🕺🏿🕺🏿⚰️🕺🏿🕺🏿
صدقت
Jaskaran Singh nobody even said anything lol
Jaskaran Singh oh lol
@Jaskaran Singh
😆.
@gsweater
😆.
These men are the only people on the planet I trust to handle my dead body.
Spencer Williams 😆🤣😂
They did drop a casket once lol
@@GTHEBESTDUDE Nah, they aren't the same pallbearers group
The other one is kind of violating the rule by only using 4 pallbearers instead of 6 pallbearers
Lmao
Yesss
History of Icon of Death:
Ancient: Anubis
Classic: Grim Reaper
Modern: Ghanian Pallbearers
You look like Johnny Sins
@@damiengarbutt7229 he look like the guy who has been in every job in the world.
@@damiengarbutt7229 cause it is
@@theworldoverheavan560 theres no way o:
@@theworldoverheavan560 😎
For a moment after he said, "But I know after this pandemic," I thought he was going to say, "business will boom!"😄
HAHAAHAHAHAHAHA
Lmao-
😁😁😁🤣
100th like btw 0w0
Hahahaha lol
if my funeral isn’t like this, i’d rather not die.
Same Im hiring
If my Funeral isn’t like this, I’m coming back to life and refunding my funeral. Smh
I know right? Without these gentlemen what's the point of kicking the bucket?
Do not die 😂
fr i’d zoom out of my coffin
tfw these guys are so wholesome accepting that they have become part of the internet culture
@@Chris-vs9so czcams.com/video/FScfGU7rQaM/video.html this guy?
speedwagon is best waifu
What's tfw? Am i getting old? AM I BECOMING A.A.A ..... BOOMER.....
@@Youssef-iq4wq " the f*** why" is tfw
@ShadowAK it's always either "that face when" or "that feeling when", don't know where "the fuck why" comes from
@ShadowAK lol
It's a crime not to include the music in this video.
Lemons & Listerine copyright
It probably IS a crime to include it bc of copyright xD
@@JustinsSupercars
It's Astronomia 2K19 tho
copyright probably
JustinsSupercars astronomia was originally released in 2010...and my world by iggy azaela released in 2011...now you know who stole music.
if these guys don't dance on my coffin , then i'd rather just respawn from the hospital
True gamer moment
Save points, saves lives.
Unfortunately after you died your family threw away your bed
Your bed was obstructed or destroyed
_said any GTA characters_
@@supernt7852 Who needs a bed when you've just respawned... ftw
Travel the world to teach other pallbearers - even if he’s not rich, pretty sure he got lotta hell of sponsors. Good for them.
Their slogan during 2020 : Stay at home or dance with us
Oof
Nice one😄
Ha
Took me a second to undetstand that. Now I am scared😂😂😷😷
😂
He is feeling really bad that they couldn't do business during this pandemic
they’ll have a lot of business after the pandemic
@@ahahm3, 😂😂😂
DJ Khaled: Suffering from Success
What are you talking about, it is their season
@@monkml2096 Funerals with mass gatherings are prohibited in most countries. Meaning no one will be hiring these guys during this period.
"Stay at home or dance with us."
I would love to stay home. But somebody has to get the job done. So if the "event" comes, it would be an honor to dance with you.
@PinkyKittyPlays Gacha Life ķ
My son loves to dance with you
Ok boss 🤣⚰
Kkkkkkkkkkkmk
Them guys should get a Royalty everytime their meme is used.
Memes are public domain
memes means moni
They’ll be the richest people in the planet
True
I gotta respect it. He knows he's become a meme and he's like: "Heck yea dude."
he maybe a meme but not in a bad way lol he got famous
Atleast he didn’t turn into a asshole about it like flexing money, showing off cars, etc
Pog_ Ot0fishman well it’s just a meme I don’t think the moneys came in like that yet 😂
First there was franku then Dolan dark now coffin dance guy
L
"...stay at home and wear a mask or come and dance with us".
- Ghana's dancing pallbearers 2020.
This is the PSA we need!
😂😂
I made a video on how to make mask here go watch czcams.com/video/fUSzx4K2Rl4/video.html
Yes
Nice direct massage
Dude: what's your business?
He: I dance when people die 😅
I swear if I can't get anyone in America to do this when I die,I'm gonna demand that my body gets shipped to Ghana just for this. Probably best too, let the pros do it.
If they die before I die, then I am not dying.
Don't worry, there will be a next generation of pallbearer who will carry you
@@justarandompallbearer That's what I like to see
@@justarandompallbearer its never the same
@@ballztoeclippings1619 k
Big brain time
Calling their dance “viral” is really fitting
Haha yes
Hahaha
Yup
Well played
That's gonna be a yikes from me
They are so lucky. I'm proud of you my fellow Ghanaians😂 🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭
This meme will never die
2 years from now: *song plays*
My mom saw them and said that when she dies she would like them to carry her coffin into the graveyard and she was being serious.
It's a nice thought to have a bit of fun and lightheartedness inserted into your funeral, you don't want the people you love feeling miserable after all.
Better than being sad at a funeral
Do it
Jokes on you i know u dont even have a mom
Your mom has good taste, Empress Dubai XD
Just like Harold, this guy is grateful to be a part of this meme culture for what he does.
And we gladly accept hi.
They does
They are amazing
Long live Harold!
It's not like they have a choice or anything
finally news on a celebrity people actually like
This piece is an paradox.
Because when it dies, It will play itself over and over again
They don't mourn the persons death, they celebrate their life.
They've taught us that it's better to celebrate someone's life than mourning over their death.
You don't want your family to be sad over your death, don't you ?
exactly
@@justarandompallbearer exactly
@@justarandompallbearer exactly
@@justarandompallbearer exactly
All I'm saying is if they don't dance with my coffin, then I'm not dying.
Just Some Guy without a Mustache 😂😂you are killing me ☠️👻🦠
Just Some Guy without a Mustache Me either. I love them❤️
😹 😹 😹
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
🅱️🅱️🅱️🅱️🅱️🅱️🅱️🅱️🅱️🅱️
It's good to know that a meme is actually helping someone!
I swear to god if these legends aren’t at my funeral I’m not dying...
unoriginal
@Adithya Brijesh original
Don’t swear to God
@Adithya Brijesh bruh
Danqz 97 it’s a joke calm down jesus
The saddest part is that the guy in the coffin won’t be able to know that he was the biggest meme of 2020🤧😩😭
😔😔
That’s TUFF. -SoLuminatti
It was a woman
ROFL timing 😂
It was me and it felt like a roller coaster ride inside there
I am the number one pallbearer in the world.
*I mean he’s not wrong*
He is literally the one who start all of this coffin dance madness
I know
@@degen6537 Yeah, I just want to point that out
.... who's the number 2 pall bearer!?!
@@kentonbaird1723 his colleagues
I salute the guy who, combined this funeral video with Astronomia 2k19 music.
As a uk based funeral director who has had the privilege to serve and continues to serve many wonderful Ghanaian families I’d love to see this first hand because I understand exactly what a celebration of life these funerals are.
I hope he profits from this and not just get exploited.
Amun same
Only ones profiting right now are the people behind the song that's played with the meme
There are figurines already being sold of them, from China. I hope they get royalties, but they probably won't.
m.9gag.com/gag/aAeBV4o
@@Salipenter1 oh China, exploiting everything they see
They won't, that's the sad thing about it.
honestly the idea of celebrating someone's life rather than everyone crying seems like it would be so freeing
True
Yes. If I die, I don't want my family to be sad because of it
The Animator exactly... this is why I legit want this as my Funeral, aswell as, my obituary saying ‘F’😂
SANS?!!
I want grandma got ran over by a raindeer to play and every one eating pretzels
When your mom types p in your browser
: coffin dance kicks in :
😂😂😂
p e a n u t
ZillionCraft701 oh yes. That is what comes up
"P"ROM Pictures
I have nothing but the utmost respect for these dudes and what they do. keep on dancing guys! 2020 needs you now more than ever.
Even his interview background is in a cemetery lmao 😂 this guy is just an unintentional meme.
He is born to be a meme
@@justarandompallbearer a legend
Lol I was wondering why he chose that background 😂😂😂
Every African in Africa is a meme, intentionally or not.
@@wills.e.e8014 Such amazing people.
He's basically saying that being an internet meme helped him
find his inner passion. I hope this man goes around the world.
Although, I don't think the Astronomia meme main focus is on COVID-19 - but just death in general.
@@someguy2744 Yeah, it is just death in general. But with COVID-19, I guess death just got a whole new meaning
ParkTech YT more like it gives a common topic for people to focus their death memes on, but we might be saying the same thing
When I die, I want this to be arranged for my funeral. I don’t want my family to cry when I’m gone
He is so wholesome and may only the best come to him 🤍🤍🤍
Im not accepting death unless these guys show up for my funeral.
What!!.
So is you're death a joke and something to celebrate about?
Its not something to celebrate. Its a joke...
@@Error-pe3rq so you mean you're death is a joke!!
Actually the Comment happens to be a joke. Looks like you couldn't connect the dots on that one.
@@littleregrets8810 i won't want anyone to be sad at my funeral. So yes why not celebrate own death
Hopefully their lives change for the better after this
Not only their lives!
@@tigerchills2079 lol
boutta get diamond-rim coffins
Ok, why are you showing up literally everywhere? You’re Justin Y 2
Say it like this:
Opefolly they lief cheng fo tha bettha aftah dis
Everytime I see them the tune keeps playing in my mind.
why do these guys radiate so much energy
I gotta say
The Dancing Pallbearers Meme is the best Meme of 2020 so far
She belongs 2 da streets is a close 2nd
@@canadafirst2800 Indeed 😂😂 both of 'em are really great but those guys deserve the #1 spot fr
@@obbymillion indeed
It might just be the best meme for 2020, but it's gonna be the best meme ever in my life
@@justarandompallbearer lmao
People who embrace their internet fame are miles better than those who resent it
keanu reeves tho
*I resent the joestar bloodline*
There's nothing wrong with not wanting to be internet famous though.
How the fuck is dancing coffin man any better than technoviking?
Nope
These guys are now on my got to have at my funeral bucket list.
They actually thanked the community for supporting him, what a legend!
They actually don't mind being internet famous. Now THAT'S how you respond.
I mean it's fine if someone doesn't wanna be famous
@@snail-teeth Yes, but some people become greedy and arrogant and thinks that they are better than everyone else. This man does not care, he is just happy and want to learn others about their culture, and to respect the dead.
Free advertisement
well its free ads around the world, i mean just look at flex tape
Its not like they have a choice.
They aren't become just memes
They've become Legends
A legendary meme
legends never die
Legendary meme
I've always said when I die I want my funeral to be more of a celebration of my life rather then a time of morning. This looks awsome, keep on keeping on. 🙏
Chill people. I'm dancing at all of your funerals
better change the pitch of the music
Hello brother
THESE PEOPLE ARE AWESOME HE JUST SAID HE'S GOING TO TEACH US THE COFFIN DANCE MOVES!
Damn, I can't wait till they start to go around the world and teach us how they dance
Yeah
Ey
Somebody will dead when they come.
But who's gonna be the one in the coffin? 🤔
Slogan will be:
Stay At Home or Dance with us
Comedy gold
I swear other meme-ers wish to he in that coffin not lying
Stay at home or dance with us
More like:
Stay at home or dance with us
😂
Very fine tribute. They are a treasure. Keep dancing, keep bearing witness. The world is watching.
Im so happy that this is in my reccomendations
Nobody even talks about that this is BBC Africa, the best BBC.
I see what you did there 🤣🤣
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Africa has the best BBC
Pause
Ye I love BBC😅
F to pay respects to the guy in the coffin who contributed to this meme even after his death
F
F
F
F
F
I am happy that this pop up in my recommendation.
I just realized that there is an actual dead guy in all of these memes😂
No dip Sherlock. It’s celebrating the life of the person. That’s how it works
Tbh when it comes to funerals Ghanaians are the most extra! and really celebrate it even more then weddings 😭
As well you should... Celebrate people's lives over mourning their passing. Dance and celebrate everything good about a persons life, how they changed it for some people for the better. Sure, they'll be missed, but in their time they did some really awesome things and that is the part that should be revered. Every funeral should be a celebration of life!
But it doesn't benefit the dead person .
@@abaachayou9762 And why should it benefit the dead person? They did all the could to leave a legacy for the living, celebrate that and move forward in their name.
@@princesspowerbottom Not to mention what even _benefits_ a dead person?
Oh my God! Hahahaha
These guys are the reason why Queen Elizabeth is scared to die.
She cant die bro
Nah she’s got them on her pay role
She's immortal.
Beth nobody is immortal, that old witch might be cheating death but it will get to a point where she can’t anymore.
😂
The music instantly played in my head
This is so wholesome 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
Wait you can hire them?
My search history:
Coffin dancers for hire
How to die
no they come for free when u die
@@woutmeulemans4853 they aint gonna dance for u when u die
Google: TO CALL THE NATIONAL SUICIDE LINE
Only in bing you will find good results, i tried to search how to die in google and only showed suicide prevention number
These guys pretty much replaced the grim reaper and are funny and scary at the same time.
You should check New Orleans, LA in the USA funerals. They are somewhat the same.
So basically they are the Ghanaian version of the grim reaper.
@@user-xs7xv5wt6z No, culturally they are celebrating the LIFE of the person.
ЯцζζΙΔи ŠłΔν yes
respect for the guy , WHAT a postive mind
I love them for this, a funeral should not be a sad time, but a celebration of life. And while I recognize that people's life ends in all ways (even self inflicted) a way to show that loved one that you appreciate them is to do the mourning in a way that celebrates the glow that one had on others.
2015: astronomia
2017: lol play this at my funeral
2020: mad lads actually doing it
But in all seriousness i like the way these Ghanian guys think. To celebrate someones life with funeral festivities. In death that person is free of the pain and evils of life. Its important to grieve but just as important to look towards the future with joy.
This is indeed how we celebrate our funerals. In Suriname where my mom is from they do the same (I’m 50% Ghanaian and 50% Surinamese). Celebrate life!
I agree !! SCOTLAND
Your comment starts as a bad joke and finishes as a good philosophical reflection
@@L9nexah Quite.
ZeAnonymusAnonym epic
Correction: “life after becoming legends”
Lol
Indeed
420 likes
I think it's a good way to show honour to a dead person. Sure, you can cry that the person is dead now but you also can dance and celebrate the life of the person you knew.
This man really understands the word honour.
The internet at it beat opening our eyes to different cultures. This has to be the coolest send off for anyone.
Let’s not forget the guy inside that coffin who is as famous as them, posthumously.
Edit: Does the like count go down when people hit dislike button? Current Likes on this comment: 18K ... hit dislike from now on to see if it goes to 17K.
Lmao
pulakification i think it was a woman. In a video a woman said that this is how she wanted the funeral for her mother to be
Rest In Happiness for that person
F
*Posthumously?!?* Bruh this is not your English class.
People, we need to get these teachers back to work before they accidentally teach us something
I'm kinda glad that they got turned into a meme, there business could grow after quarantine, they deserve this.
ikr i would love to be the first tbh
Yeah at the end he said he would love to go around the world and teach people how to do everything
Morbidly hilarious
Death should be celebrated it's the circle of life after all
Just to remember that this bussniess is growing means more people are dying isnt weird to hope that the bussniess will grow? 🤔
This meme will never die because it's *Death* itself.
It is his business that is now well known globally and he seems like a wholesome person
Am I the only one who thinks that they deserve to grow their business and start a CZcams channel?
You're certainly not, look at how many likes you're getting.
Mukumbi Chiñambu Damn😂😂
I CARRIED MY FRIEND COFFIN! *NOT CLICKBAIT!* *GONE WRONG!*😱😱😱😱😱
7bilion people in the world, how much is the chance? It looks like you're selfish.
Nah
You hear these guys dancing but you can't open your eyes.
That's so dark
P.S see what i did there?
@TheFuture_What you said don’t make sense still
@@mystik4957 yes
Gets worse when you cant move.
@@kulture6431 his speaking as though inside the coffin
I love this men and CZcams and other companies needs to award them 🎷📯🎺
You can say what you want. But this dudes are from this year on a legend!
Can I please hire them for when I die I'm willing to pay a lot of money
i don't think they will be healthy or powerful to dunce with your coffin since they will be old or sadly out of this world.
Just ask 6 of your best friends to learn a choreographed dance, when your at the end of your life. 😅
Pháñtòm Drágôń no but I could do it now and they ain’t old
How can you pay a lot of money when you're dead
Pháñtòm Drágôń ill suicide in order to have a coffin dancing experience
*Astronomia starts playing* -- 2020: "This is not even my final form"
😢
The astronomia was different on my childhood
They have changed it
@@kerem_9181 ok boomer
@@kerem_9181 But I heard astronomia with the meme. I didn't know astronomia existed.
I love how dapper the man is
Becoming a meme is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a human being. Congratulations.
In the midst of Corona, the coffin bearers' business has come to a standstill. How?
They cant be close together, no crowds ect
And fewer people have money to pay them now as the economics hitted hard by Covid19's crisis
Can't have funerals because of physical distancing.
It would be dangerous to come in contact with someone who passed away due to the virus.
It's kinda sad, but people can't even get together for funerals.
Bbc: cuts off the last line of pallbearer
Pallbearer: *stares at camera*
And coffin dance music kicks in ⚰️🎶
😂😂😂
Tet tennenne tet tet tet ...⚰️
@@bulanugama2973 🎯😂
Those guys never change from 2017 to 2020
These guys are so amazing. Love from India 🇮🇳
"Stay home or you'll be dancing with us" 😂💀
Where
Stupid
Win win
😂😂
Only the person who died in the coffin could not know about this meme
BRILLIANTLY INNOVATE! and african kids that are dying of thirst and lack of food
@@cibo889 wait what?
I think thats the most racist it can be
You cannot say that all the Africans have more than 15 kids
So they die
Dude I mean how can you be that toxic
@@shetanshusingh4565 that wasnt that racist lol.
@@cibo889 That's racist...
@@itsdubs06 but it was
I love it when the people of the internet elevate the lives of others instead of ruining them.
Puts a whole new meaning to mourning love it
They really just interviewed him at the cemetery lmao
Technically that is his office/workplace 😂
Where else would he be~?
😂
@@kentonbaird1723 I've been seeing you around man. 😂
This just showed up on my recommended. Does that mean anything?
That means your time is near...
Just kidding, don't hate me please
@@justarandompallbearer bruh
@@IntiNiko you can't use " bruh " like that bruh
Do you suffer from magical thinking?
Call a psychic. They’ll tell you what you want to hear.
Now this is the news I want to watch!
This man is a fucking international treasure.