ASAFO

ASAFO BACKGROUND

The Asafo are traditional warrior groups in

Akan culture, an ethnic group found
predominantly in the Ivory Coast and on
the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana).
The word derives fromsa, meaningwar,
andfo, meaningpeople.
Originally Formed as a defence group against
encroaching European powers, the Asafo
today perform mainly as part of spiritual
rituals

THE ROLE OF THE ASAFO

Asafo "companies" developed as military

organisations of young men in the Fante
villages.
As well as defending the village against local
enemies and incursions by the Asante.
The groups known as companies in each
community developed intense local
rivalries.
The active fighting role of the Asafo
companies ended with the British colonial
takeover late in the nineteenth century.

ASAFO TRADITIONS

Each company has a central shrine, called a

posuban, which is generally an elaborate
concrete structure decorated brightly with
coloured figures.
The shrine serves as a store for ceremonial
objects(regalia) and a focus for sacrifices.
Flags, called frankaa, are a key item of Asafo
regalia.

FLAG DESIGN

Each man who wishes to join a group/

company commissions a new flag from the
local flag maker, usually giving him
instructions as to the design.
The imagery on the flags asserts the wealth
and prowess of the company and explicitly
challenges rival groups.
Often the design alludes to proverbs,
reflecting the importance of proverbs
throughout Akan culture.

THE USE OF FLAGS

There is not much warrioring going on

between tribes in Ghana today, thankfully,
but theAsafoare still alive and well.
At annual festivals, funerals for company
members and other occasions flags are
hung around the shrine and paraded
through the village.
Although the exact origins of Asafo flags are
unclear, there are reports of their use
dating back at least to the early 18th C.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ASAFO FLAG

Flags made before Ghanaian independence in

1957 have a version the British Union Jack
flag in the corner, after that date some
incorporate the Ghana flag instead.
Flags are still being made and used as an
important part of communal life in Fante
villages today.
Since the 1990s their direct and striking
imagery has also made them highly
collectable outside Ghana.

EXAMPLES OF SOME ASAFO FLAGS

A classic style flag with four warriors
and a rectangular object that may
represent a treasure box.
A flag with a scene of head- taking.
Taking heads as trophies was a
feature of pre-colonial warfare in the
region - the skulls or jawbones of
defeated enemies often adorned
royal war drums.
Quirky flag from the 1970s or 80s
from a small village that is on a
peninsular cut off at high tide. The
image asserts that even soldier ants
cannot attack them.

THANK
YOU
Aaron Sandhu 7BR