The look and feel of special coffin befitting a king

• Casket made like a chair in line with requirement that Wanga kings are buried while seated and wrapped in animal skin

When Nabongo Japheth Wambani Rapando, the departed king of the Wanga, is laid to rest on Saturday, he will have made history not because of his short reign but because he will be the first to break the community’s traditional burial rites.

According to Wanga customs, kings are buried while seated, wrapped in animal skin with a stool, the symbol power, placed on their head.

Wambani’s burial will be done in the modern way but still uphold the tradition.

The coffin that will be used to bury the king has been built like a chair to comply with the tradition.

Its design was drawn even before the king died.

One of the royal’s sons, Mr James Wambani, says he gave instructions on the design last November when he realised his father’s health was deteriorating.

“I knew the old man was not going to live long and started the preparations of having his coffin made,” explains Mr Wambani.

He went on: “I constantly kept checking the progress and reminded the designer that he had to make something unique.”

Mr Wambani, who is the fifth of Nabongo Rapando’s 11 sons, says his father left a will spelling out how he wanted to be buried.

According to the coffin designer, Mr Christopher Omondi, it is one of a kind.

“I was amazed at the design since I have never made such a coffin before,” says Mr Omondi.

Mr Wambani says it took him time to think of a design.

“I had a picture in mind and this is it,” he says.

The coffin is 6.3 feet and comes with a trolley.

Special handlers

“I will give them (the family) two of my aides to help them handle the coffin when they come for it,” says Mr Omondi.

He says it took him two weeks to make it.

The coffin cost Sh40,000 and the trolley Sh5,000, bringing the total price tag to Sh45,000.