A Visit To An Authentic Adinkra Village In Ghana

History Of Adinkra Symbols

Adinkra symbols are certainly not new, even though you may not have heard of them yet. An Asante (Ashanti) legend tells us that Adinkra was king of the Gyaman kingdom. He wore patterned cloth, checkered with the symbols that modern-day Ghana uses widely today. The Asante people began painting the symbols and stamping them onto cloth (as you can see in the video above).

The same King Adinkra lives on today through all of the deep symbolism he left behind.

The stamps & the ink

Traditionally, the stamps are made of handcrafted calabash that can last for decades because of hard/dried gourd. The dye is created from a tree called Badi. They take the bark of this tree and boil it, filter it, and boil it again to create a very dark ink-like substance. Then the calabash stamps with Adinkra symbols are dipped into this ink and the pattern is stamped permanently onto fabric.

The calabash stamps and the cloths patterned with Adinkra symbols can be purchased at the village we are going to in August, 2019 for our #ExperienceGhana tour!

The cloth

This cloth can be made in different ways, using different looms, or by printing designs onto cotton. Watch the video above to see traditional cloth being made and then stamped with the calabash stamps with Adinkra symbols.

The village we go to on trips to Ghana still uses a manual loom. They pass the thread back and forth by hand for each line of fabric. These works of art can be worn or simply put on display.

Adinkra Symbols

Adinkra symbols have lots of different meanings. There's even one that means "Run from Trump"... kidding. But here are a few that are especially relevant; you may have seen these online or even tattooed on someone:

1. GYE NYAME: "Except for God"
   [symbol of the supremacy of God]
   This unique and beautiful symbol is ubiquitous in Ghana. It is by far the most popular for use in decoration. A reflection on the deeply religious character of the Ghanaian people
2. SANKOFA: "Return and get it"
   [symbol of importance of learning from the past]
   Generally depicted as a bird with its head turned backward (sometimes seen taking an egg from its back). It expresses the importance of reaching back to knowledge gained in the past and bringing it into the present in order to make positive progress. Sankofa also has 2 other forms.
3. ADINKRAHENE: "Chief of the adinkra symbols"
   [symbol of greatness, charisma and leadership]
   This symbol is said to have played an inspiring role in the designing of other symbols. it signifies the importance of playing a leadership role.
4. DUAFE: "Wooden comb"
   [symbol of beauty and cleanliness; symbols of desirable feminine qualities]
   The duafe was a prized possession of the Akan woman, used to comb and plait her hair.
5. AKOFENA: "Sword of war "
   [symbol of courage, valor, and heroism]
   The crossed swords were a popular motif in the heraldic shields of many former Akan states. They represent courage and valor.

**To see more of the symbols and their meanings, visit: http://www.adinkra.org

ADINKRA SYMBOLS IN GHANA