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Towards
the preservation and cultivation of
Black culture and expression in
Britain. From many (is)lands, yet a
common struggle for expression.
Olaudah
Equiano
circa 1766
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| Adinkra
Symbols
Adinkra
is one of the highly valued
hand-printed and
hand-embroidered cloths. It's
origin is traced to the Asante
people of Ghana and the Gyaman
people of Cote' d'lvoire (Ivory
Coast). However, the production
and use of Adinkra have come to
be more associated with the
Asante people than any other
group of people. Around the 19th
Century, the Asante people
developed their unique art of
adinkra printing. Adinkra cloths
were made and used exclusively
by the royalty and spiritual
leaders for very important
sacred ceremonies and rituals.
"Adinkra
symbolism is a visual
representation of social thought
relating to the history,
philosophy and religious beliefs
of the Akan peoples of Ghana and
Cote' d'Ivoire" defined Dr.
Kwaku Ofori-Ansa.
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Gye
Nyame (except God). Symbol
of the Omnipotence and
immortality of God.
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Funtunfunafu
denkyem funafu won afuru
bom nso worididi a na wo ko."
Sharing one stomach yet
they fight over food.
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Odenkyem
(crocodile) da nsuo mu nso
ohome nsuo ne mframa. The
crocodile lives in the
water yet it breathes air,
not water.
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Bi-nka-bi.
Obi nka obi (bite not one
another). Avoid conflicts.
Symbol of Unity.
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Osrane
(moon). "Osrane nnfiti
preko ntware man." It
takes the moon sometime to
go round the nation.
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Kramo-bone
amma yanhu kramo-pa. We
cannot tell a good
mohammedan from a bad one.
The fake and the genuine
look alike because of
hypocrisy.
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Nsaa
(a kind of blanket). Nea
onim nsaa na oto nago.
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Fofoo.
SE die fofoo pE ne sE
gyinantwi abo bedie. What
the fofoo plant wants is
that the gyinantwi seeds
should turn black. Symbol
of jealousy.
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Adinkra
hene (Adinkra king). Chief
of all the adinkra designs.
Forms the basis of adinkera
printing.
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Dwanimen
(Ram's horn). "Dwonnin
ye asise a ode n'akorana na
ennye ne mben." It is
the heart and not the horns
that leads a ram to
bully.Concealment.
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Mpuannum
(Nkontimsofo o Puaa). Five
tufts of hair. A
traditionally fashionable
hair style.
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Hye
wo nyhe (the one who burns
you be not burned). Symbol
of forgiveness. Turn the
other cheek.
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Nkonsonkonso
(link or chain). We are
linked in both life and
death.Those who share
common blood relations
never break apart. Symbol
of human relations.
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Owuo
Atwedie Baako Nfo (obiara
bewu). All men climb the
ladder of death.
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Sepow
(knife used in executions).
This is thrust through the
victims's cheeks to prevent
his invoking a curse on the
king.
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Gyamu
atiko. This is said to be
the design shaved by Gyawu,
a once Bantamahene.
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Sankofa
(return and fetch it).
"SE wo werE fi na
wosankofa a yenkyi."
It is no taboo to return
and fetch it when you
forget. You can always undo
your mistakes.
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Nhwimu
(crossing). The divisions
done on to the plain cloth
before the stamping is
done.
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Keerapa
(Musu yide). Good fortune
sanctity. "Kerapa te
se okera.Okyiri fi."
Sanctity like a cat. Abhors
filth. Symbol of sanctity
and good fortune.
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Fihankra
(the circular house of
complete house). This
signifies safety or
security in a home.
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Nyame
nwu na mawu. If Nyame (God)
dies, then I may die.
Perpetual existence.
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Ohene
niwa (in the king's eye).
The king has lots of eyes
and nothing is hidden from
him.
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Akoma
(the heart). "Nya
akoma (take heart)."
Have patience. Symbol of
patience and endurance.
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Biribi
wo soro. "Nyame biribi
wo soro na ma embeka mensa
(God there is something in
the heavens, let it reach
me.)." A symbol of
hope.
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Nsoroma
(a child of the heavens).
"Obu Nyankon soroma te
Nyame na onte neho so (A
child of the Supremem Being
I do not depend on myself.
My illumination is only a
reflection of His.)."
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Krado
- mmra krado (Seal of law
and order). Symbolizing the
authority of the court.
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KodeE
mowerEwa (the talons of the
eagle). This is said to be
shaved on the heads of some
court attendants.
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Aya
(the firn). This word also
means 'I am not afraid of
you.' A symbol of defiance.
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Osrane
ne nsoroma (moon and star).
A symbol of faithfulness.
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Nyame
dua (an altar to the sky
God). Altar, place of
worship.
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Aban
(fence). Representing
fenced homes. A protector.
Double security. Safe and
sound. Fool-proof.
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Anibere
a enso gya, nka mani abere
koo. Seriousness does not
show fiery eyes else you
will see my face all red.
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Ohen
tuo (The king's gun).
Defende or protector of the
king.
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Ako-ben
(war horn). The sound of
Akoben is a battle cry,
hence it symbolizes a call
to arms.
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Nkyin
kyin (ohema nkyinkyin).
Changing one's self.
Playing many roles.
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Wawa
Aba (the seed of the wawa
tree). 'Wawa' is a hard
wood used in carving, hence
its significance in Akan
culture.
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Kuntinkantan
(do not boast). There is
need for humility and
servitude.
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Ntesie-matemasie
(I have heard and kept it).
"Nyansa bun mu nne
mate masie." Symbol of
wisdom and knowledge.
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Akoko
nan tiaba na enkum ba (The
hen treads upon its chicks,
but it does not kill them).
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Epa
(handcuffs). "Onii a n
epa da wo nsa no, ne akowa
ne wo." You are the
slave of him whose
handcuffs you wear.
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Adinkerahene.
Another version of
Adinkerahene. Unlike the
other version of this
symbol, this symbol is used
as a symbol in itself for
printing.
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Nnonowa
(Ahoma). Also called "dono
ntoaso" (the double
dono drum).This is more
symbolic rather than
representational.
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Duafe
(the wooden comb). One of
the very few
representational forms in
adinkera patterns.
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Kontire
ne Akwam (elders of the
state). "Tikorommpam."
One head does not
constitute a council.
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Mmra
krado (seal of the law).
Symbolizing supreme
authority.
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Owo
foro adobE (snake climbing
the palm). Performing the
unusual or the impossible.
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Ako-ben
(war horn). Another
significant version of the
war horn which symbolizes a
call to arms.
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Penpamsie
(that which will not
crush). "Penpamsie see
bebirebe ahooden ne koroye."
Unity in strength.
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Sunsum
(soul). Some Akans believe
that the soul of a ruler
inhabits a younger
courtier.
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Bese
saka (a bunch of cola
nuts). Bese (cola nut) is
the favorite of the
northern tribes.
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Tabon
(paddle). Paddles are more
common with coastal tribes.
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Pa
gya (to strike fire or make
fire). This is said to
represent war.
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Dono
(drum). This symbol is more
like the dono drum than the
other symbol for the dono
drum.
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Akoma
Ntoaso A symbol of
agreement or a charter.
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Funtunfunafu
denkyem funafu, won afuru
bom nso worididi a na wo ko.
Another version of this
symbol. Need for unity,
particularly where there is
one destiny.
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Ese
ne keterEma (the teeth and
tongue). "Wonnwo ba ne
se." No child is born
with its teeth. We improve
and advance.
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Adinkerahene.
Another version of
Adinkerahene. Unlike the
other version of this
symbol, this symbol is used
as a symbol in itself for
printing.
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Afena
(a state ceremonial sword).
"Akofena kunim ko a,
wobo afena kye no safohene."
The retiring great warrior
always has a royal sword of
rest. Recognition of
galantry.
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Dame-Dame
(a draft game). A more
traditionally popular game
is oware.
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Sankofa
Another Sankofa design. It
could be a broken piece
from the original design.
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Continued
on next page
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