ADINKRA SYMBOLS

 

ADINKRAHENE "chief of adinkra symbols" greatness, charisma, leadership AKOBEN "war horn" vigilance, wariness AKOKONAN "the leg of a hen" mercy, nurturing AKOMA "the heart" patience & tolerance AKOMA NTOSO "linked hearts" understanding, agreement ASASE YE DURU "the Earth has weight" divinity of Mother Earth BESE SAKA "sack of cola nuts" affluence, abundance, unity BI NKA BI "no one should bite the other" peace, harmony BOA ME NA ME MMOA WO "help me and let me help you" cooperation, interdependence DAME-DAME name of a board game intelligence, ingenuity DENKYEM "crocodile" adaptability DUAFE "wooden comb" beauty, hygiene, feminine qualities DWENNIMMEN "ram's horns" humility and strength EBAN "fence" love, safety, security EPA "handcuffs" law, justice, slavery ESE NE TEKREMA "the teeth and the tongue" friendship, interdependence FIHANKRA "house/compound" security, safety FOFO "a yellow-flowered plant" jealousy, envy FUNTUNFUNEFU DENKYEMFUNEFU "siamese crocodiles" democracy, unity in diversity GYE NYAME "except for God" supremacy of God HWEMUDUA "measuring stick" examination, quality control HYE WONHYE "that which cannot be burnt" imperishability, endurance KETE PA "good bed" good marriage KINTINKANTAN "puffed up extravagance" arrogance, extravagance MATE MASIE "what I hear, I keep" wisdom, knowledge, prudence ME WARE WO "I shall marry you" commitment, perseverance MMUSUYIDEE "that which removes ill luck" good fortune, sanctity MPATAPO "knot of reconciliation" peacemaking, reconciliation NKONSONKONSON "chain links" unity, human relations NKYIMU the crossed divisions made on adinkra cloth before printing skillfulness, precision NKYINKYIM "twistings" initiative, dynamism, versatility NSAA type of hand-woven cloth excellence, genuineness, authenticity NSOROMMA "child of the heavens" guardianship NYAME BIRIBI WO SORO "God is in the heavens" hope NYAME NNWU NA MAWU "God never dies, therefore I cannot die" life after death NYAME NTI "by God's grace" faith & trust in God NYANSAPO "wisdom knot" wisdom, ingenuity, intelligence and patience ODO NNYEW FIE KWAN "love never loses its way home" power of love OSRAM NE NSOROMMA "the moon and the star" love, faithfulness, harmony OWO FORO ADOBE "snake climbing the raffia tree" steadfastness, prudence, diligence OWUO ATWEDEE "the ladder of death" mortality SANKOFA "return and get it" learn from the past SANKOFA (alternate version)   SESA WORUBAN "I change or transform my life" transformation TAMFO BEBRE "the enemy will stew in his own juice" jealousy WO NSA DA MU A "if your hands are in the dish" democracy, pluralism

Adinkra symbols were developed by the Ashante people of West Africa and can be traced back to the 17th century. They are part of a rich tradition.

The word "adinkra" means goodbye because originally clothes adorned with Adinkra symbols were only worn during ceremonies to honor the dead. The symbols worn on the mourner's clothing expressed the qualities attributed to the deceased.

The Ashante people living in the modern African countries of Ghana and the Ivory Coast, stamp Adinkra symbols on cloth. The symbols are created by cutting a stamp out of the thick skin of a calabash gourd. The stamp is dipped in dye, made from tree bark, and then repeatedly pressed onto cloth to create patterns. Each of the stylized patterns has a name and meaning based on a proverb or historical legend. The shapes of humans, animals, plants, and objects inspired the geometric forms of the symbols. The number of symbols continue to grow.

Today Adinkra cloth is widely worn at social occasions in Ghana and the symbols are used to decorate objects. In modern times, they are used worldwide for every-day wear, bridal, formal and special occasions.

Adinkra cloth provides a remarkable display of the values of the Ashante people, developed over many generations. The tradition continues to flourish in Ghana, today.