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10 Adinkra Symbols That Represent Life In Africa

10 Adinkra Symbols That Represent Life In Africa

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Adinkra are visual symbols originally created by the Akan of West Africa — Ashanti people of Ghana and the Gyaman people of Côte d’Ivoire. Drawing inspiration from nature, the human form, and modern inventions, adinkra designs represent concepts. They’re commonly used on walls, woodcut signs, fabrics, pottery, advertising and logos. They serve as decoration but also as sources of wisdom and profound messages. They also show up on T-shirts and jewelry, proof they have a value for tourist-related enterprises in Africa. British-born Ghanaian philosopher, novelist and cultural theorist, Kwame Anthony Appiah, described adinkra as “one of the means in a pre-literate society for ‘supporting the transmission of a complex and nuanced body of practice and belief.'”

Here are 10 adinkra symbols that represent life in Africa.

Sources: StLawu.edu, Adinkra.org, AfricanHistory.About.com, SiliconAfrica.com

SiliconAfrica.com
SiliconAfrica.com

Adinkrahene – Greatness, Royalty

Known as the chief of adinkra symbols, the adinkrahene represents greatness, charisma, and royalty or leadership. It is thought to have inspired the design of many other symbols, signifying the importance of a leadership role.

AdinkraProject.com
AdinkraProject.com

Gyawu atiko – Bravery, Valour, Leadership

Drawn by Gyawu, a chief of Bantama in the Ashanti region, the Gyawu atiko symbol represents bravery, valor, fearlessness, and leadership. It is thought that Gyawu had the symbol shaved into the back of his head at the annual Odwira ceremony.

SiliconAfrica.com
SiliconAfrica.com

Hye wonnye – Imperishability, Toughness

Meaning “He who burns be not burned,” the hye wonnye symbol represents the traditional priests who were able to walk on hot stones and fire without burning their feet. The action serves as inspiration to others to continue on, endure hardship and overcome adversity.

SiliconAfrica.com
SiliconAfrica.com

Epa – Slavery, Equality, Justice

The Epa symbol is meant to represent a set of handcuffs, alluding to the slave trade that existed for so many years in Africa, and later to the rule of law when it began to be enforced. The epa is meant to remind people of the uncompromising nature of the law while condemning all forms of slavery, and ensuring justice for all.

SiliconAfrica.com
SiliconAfrica.com

Asase ye duru – Divinity of the Earth

A symbol of providence and the divinity of Mother Earth, the asase ye duru represents the importance of the planet in sustaining life. Many phrases including “asase” allude to the weightiness of the Earth and its importance, such as, “Asase ye duru sen epo,” meaning, “The earth is heavier than the sea.”

SiliconAfrica.com
SiliconAfrica.com

Bese saka – Power, Togetherness

The bese saka symbol is made up of a group of cola nuts, and symbolizes affluence, power, abundance, and togetherness. It demonstrates the importance of the cola nut in the Ghanaian economy — widely used cash crop — and is associated with wealth and bringing people together through trade and agriculture.

SiliconAfrica.com
SiliconAfrica.com

Eban – Protection, Security, Safety

Eban is known as the “fence” symbol, and its design alludes to protection, safety, security, and love. The fence helps to secure that which is loved from the outside — most often family — making the eban most widely associated with the security and safety one finds in love.

SiliconAfrica.com
SiliconAfrica.com

Funtumfunafu-denkyemfunafu – Democracy, Oneness

This unique symbol is meant to portray co-joined-twin crocodiles joined at the stomach, representing the idea of oneness and democracy, despite cultural differences. The notion of crocodiles sharing one stomach but continuing to fight for food alludes to the harmfulness of infighting and tribalism, and reminds us that there is strength in diversity.

SiliconAfrica.com
SiliconAfrica.com

Nea onnim no sua a ohu – Knowledge

The Nea onnim no sua a ohu symbol represents the importance of knowledge, and reiterates that knowledge can only come from learning. It exists as the symbol of lifelong education, and a continual quest and thirst for knowledge throughout life.

SiliconAfrica.com
SiliconAfrica.com

Aya – Endurance, Resourcefulness

The fern image of the aya represents the hardy plant that can grow and flourish even in the most difficult places. The aya serves as a symbol of endurance, resourcefulness, and occasional defiance as an individual, like the fern, is able to endure adversity and continue to succeed.