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ADINKRA SYMBOLS
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ADINKRAHENE
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"chief of adinkra symbols" |
greatness, charisma, leadership |
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AKOBEN
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"war horn" |
vigilance, wariness |
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AKOKONAN
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"the leg of a hen" |
mercy, nurturing |
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AKOMA
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"the heart" |
patience & tolerance |
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AKOMA NTOSO
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"linked hearts" |
understanding, agreement |
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ASASE YE DURU
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"the Earth has weight" |
divinity of Mother Earth |
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BESE SAKA
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"sack of cola nuts" |
affluence, abundance, unity |
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BI NKA BI
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"no one should bite the other" |
peace, harmony |
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BOA ME NA
ME MMOA WO
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"help me and let me help you" |
cooperation, interdependence |
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DAME-DAME
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name of a board game |
intelligence, ingenuity |
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DENKYEM
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"crocodile" |
adaptability |
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DUAFE
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"wooden comb" |
beauty, hygiene, feminine qualities |
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DWENNIMMEN
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"ram's horns" |
humility and strength |
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EBAN
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"fence" |
love, safety, security |
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EPA
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"handcuffs" |
law, justice, slavery |
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ESE NE TEKREMA
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"the teeth and the tongue" |
friendship, interdependence |
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FIHANKRA
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"house/compound" |
security, safety |
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FOFO
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"a yellow-flowered plant" |
jealousy, envy |
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FUNTUNFUNEFU
DENKYEMFUNEFU
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"siamese crocodiles" |
democracy, unity in diversity |
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GYE NYAME
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"except for God" |
supremacy of God |
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HWEMUDUA
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"measuring stick" |
examination, quality control |
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HYE WONHYE
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"that which cannot be burnt" |
imperishability, endurance |
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KETE PA
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"good bed" |
good marriage |
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KINTINKANTAN
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"puffed up extravagance" |
arrogance, extravagance |
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MATE MASIE
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"what I hear, I keep" |
wisdom, knowledge, prudence |
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ME WARE WO
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"I shall marry you" |
commitment, perseverance |
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MMUSUYIDEE
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"that which removes ill luck" |
good fortune, sanctity |
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MPATAPO
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"knot of reconciliation" |
peacemaking, reconciliation |
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NKONSONKONSON
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"chain links" |
unity, human relations |
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NKYIMU
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the crossed divisions made on adinkra cloth
before printing |
skillfulness, precision |
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NKYINKYIM
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"twistings" |
initiative, dynamism, versatility |
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NSAA
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type of hand-woven cloth |
excellence, genuineness, authenticity |
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NSOROMMA
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"child of the heavens" |
guardianship |
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NYAME BIRIBI
WO SORO
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"God is in the heavens" |
hope |
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NYAME NNWU
NA MAWU
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"God never dies, therefore I cannot die" |
life after death |
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NYAME NTI
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"by God's grace" |
faith & trust in God |
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NYANSAPO
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"wisdom knot" |
wisdom, ingenuity, intelligence and patience |
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ODO NNYEW
FIE KWAN
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"love never loses its way home" |
power of love |
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OSRAM NE NSOROMMA
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"the moon and the star" |
love, faithfulness, harmony |
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OWO FORO ADOBE
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"snake climbing the raffia tree" |
steadfastness, prudence, diligence |
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OWUO ATWEDEE
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"the ladder of death" |
mortality |
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SANKOFA
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"return and get it" |
learn from the past |
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SANKOFA
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(alternate version) |
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SESA WORUBAN
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"I change or transform my life" |
transformation |
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TAMFO BEBRE
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"the enemy will stew in his own juice" |
jealousy |
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WO NSA DA MU A
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"if your hands are in the dish" |
democracy, pluralism |
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| 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. |
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General Information:
feedback@tk-designs.com.
Copyright © 2006 TeKay Designs Inc. All rights reserved.
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