African Symbols that Prove Africans Were Always Spiritually Superior
Afrikan
Post
June
2015
Page 24
African symbols from Egypt are well known, but now is time to discover more African symbols specially from West Africa, called Adinkra. Adinkra are visual symbols, originally created by the Ashanti of Ghana and the Gyaman of Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa. They represent concepts or aphorisms, and are extensively used in fabrics, pottery, logos and advertising.The symbols have a decorative function but also represent objects that encapsulate evocative messages that convey traditional wisdom, aspects of life or the environment. The Collection below is from the work of Jean MacDonald, and is destined to African artists and designers for inspiration in logo, websites, clothes, jewelery and fashion design, not forget for tattoos.
AKOFENA
ADINKRAHENE
AKOMA
“sword of war ” “Chief of the adinkra sym“the heart” symbol of courage, valor, bols” symbol of greatness, and heroism The charisma and leadership This symbol of patience and tolercrossed swords were a pop- symbol is said to have played ance According to Agbo, when ular motif in the heraldic a an inspiring role in shields of many former person is said to “have a heart the designing of other symAkan in his stomach,” that person is bols. it signifies the imporstates. In addition to recogvery tolerant. tance of playing a nizing courage and valor, leadership role. the swords can represent legitimate state authority.
WO NSA DA MU A
“If your hands are in the dish” symbol of participatory government, democracy and pluralism From the aphorism, “Wo nsa da mu a, wonni nnya wo” — “If your hands are in the dish, people do not eat everything and leave you nothing.” Source: “Cloth As Metaphor” by G.F. Kojo Arthur
PEMPAMSIE
WOFORO DUA PA A
“when you climb a good tree” symbol of support, cooperation and encouragement From the expression “Woforo dua pa a, na yepia wo” meaning “When you climb a good tree, you are given a push”. More metaphorically, it means that when you work for a good cause, you will get support.
OWUO ATWEDEE
ASASE YE DURU”
TAMFO BEBRE
symbol of hardiness, toughness and perseverance The seed of the wawa tree is extremely hard. In Akan culture, it is a symbol of someone who is strong and tough. Itinspires the individual to persevere through hardship.
“The Moon and the Star”
symbol of love, faithfulness, “Sew in readiness”symbol of “the ladder of death” harmony readiness, steadfastness, hardisymbol of mortality a This symbol reflects the harness reminder of the transitory mony that exists in the bondAccording to the The Adinkra nature of existence in this ing between a man and a Dictionary, the design world and of the imperative woman. Proverb: “Kyekye of this symbol resembles the to live a good life to be a pe aware.” (The North Star links of a chain, and implies worthy soul in the afterlife has a deep love for marriage. strength through unity as well as She is always in the sky the importance of being prepared. waiting for the return of the
NYAME NTI
“by God’s grace” “except for God” “the Earth has weight” symbol of the supremacy symbol of faith and trust of God This unique and in God symbol of providence and beautiful symbol is ubiqAccording to The the divinity of Mother uitous in Ghana. It is by Adinkra Dictionary by Earth This symbol reprefar the most popular for W. Bruce Willis: “This sents the importance of the use stalk is depicted as the Earth in sustaining life. in decoration, a reflecstaff of life in many cultion on the deeply relitures. It symbolizes to gious character of the the Akan that food is a Ghanaian basis of life and that they people could not survive if not for the food that God has
WAWA ABA
“seed of the wawa tree”
GYE NYAME
“the enemy will stew in his own juice”
SESA WO SUBAN
“Change or transform your character”
BOA ME NA ME MMOA WO “Help me and let me help you” symbol of cooperation and interdependence Source:“Cloth As Metaphor” by G.F. Kojo Arthur
SANKOFA
“return and get it”
symbol of importance of symbol of jealousy and envy symbol of life transformation learning from the past This symbol combines two separate adinkra symbols, the “Morning Star” which can mean a new start to the day, placed inside the wheel, representing rotation or independent movement.
ONYANKOPON ADOM NTI BIRIB- OKODEE MMOWERE IARA BEYE YIE “the talons of the eagle” “By God’s grace, all will be well” symbol of hope, providence, faith
Source: Cloth As Metaphor by G.F. Kojo
ODO NNYEW FIE KWAN
“Love never loses its way symbol of strength, bravery, home” power The eagle is the mightiest bird in symbol of the power of the sky, and its strength is conlove centrated in its talons. The Oyoko clan, one of the nine Akan clans, uses this symbol as their clan emblem.