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Adinkra
Origins and History
Adinkra are small symbols from West Africa, originally created by the Gyaman people, in what is now the present day country of the Republic of Cte d'Ivoire in western Africa. The term Adinkra came from the legendary king of the Gyaman, Nani ko Adinkra, who wore clothes with colorful patterns made up of symbols with special meanings. King Adinkra was defeated and captured in battle by the ancient Asante people for having copied the "Golden Stool". The Golden Stool is the Asante royal throne which was said to have descended from the heavens and landed Me Ware Wo: on the lap of the rst Asante king, and represents absolute power and tribal The Adinkra Symbol cohesion. King Adinkra was killed, his territory annexed by the neighboring for "I Shall Marry Asante kingdom, and the patterns on his clothes were taken by the Asante as You" their own.

Creating Adinkra Symbols

Adinkra symbols express various themes that relate to the history and beliefs of the Asante, and usually have a rich proverbial meaning since proverbs play an important role in their culture. Designs were originally made by cutting a pattern in a calabash gourd, and then stamping the print on a piece of colorful fabric. The deep brown ink originally used, adinkra aduru, is created by boiling the bark of the Badie tree with scraps of iron. Adinkra symbols continue to evolve to this day depicting historical events, technological improvements, and changes to Ghanaian culture.

Ancient and Modern Day Uses

Bidding Farewell
Adinkra can be literally translated to "good bye", or "farewell" in Asante Twi, a language spoken in Ghana by approximately 15 million people. At one time, Adinkra cloth and symbols were only worn and displayed during funerals. The symbols signied their sorrow and acted as a way to bid farewell to the deceased.
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Modern Day Usage

Nowadays, Adinkra is not exclusively won by the Asante people, and is worn at a variety of social gatherings and special occasions, such as weddings, festivals, and naming ceremonies. The symbols have been used to decorate accessories other than cloth by artists, carpenters and architects. Throughout Ghana and elsewhere, Adinkra can be seen on fabrics, walls, pottery, and even corporate logos.

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Symbol

Adinkra Symbols and Translation Akan Translation Literal Meaning Symbolic Meaning Proverb Aban Fence Strength and Authority Nipa nye abe dua na ne ho ahyia ne ho; The human being is not like the palm that is selfsufcient. Nnua nyinaa bewu agya abe; All trees will wither safe the palm tree.

Abe Dua

Palm Tree

Wealth, Self-Sufciency, Vitality

Adikrahene Dua

Adinkra King Stamp

Greatness, Royalty

Adinkrahene

Adinkra King. Chief of all the Adinkra designs; Greatness, Royalty Forms the basis of Adinkra printing Purity, Sanctity, Chastity, Good Fortune, Consecration, Cleanliness Adwera nsuo, wo ne nkwansuo, nsu korogyenn a wohuru nso wonhye; Water of life, you are the pure crystal clean water that boils but, does not burn. Ohene nya ahontenafo pa a, ne bere so dwo; When the king has good counselors, then he will have a peaceful reign.

Adwera

Watery Shrub

Adwo

Peace

Peace, Calmness

Agyinduwura

Faithfulness, Alertness, Dutifulness Vigilance, Call to War Horn; The arms, Readiness and sound of Akoben Preparedness for is a battle cry. action or battle. Sword of War Courage, Valor

Akoben

Akofena

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Symbol

Akan Translation Literal Meaning Symbolic Meaning Parenthood, Care, Tenderness, Akokonan The Leg of a Hen Protection, Mercy, Nurturing, Parental Discipline Akoma The Heart

Proverb Akoko nan tia ba, na ennkum no; The hen treads upon its chicks but it does not intend to kill them.

Patience, Tolerance, Love and Nya Akoma; Take heart. Faithfulness Understanding, Agreement, Unity

Akoma Ntoso

Linked Hearts

Ananse Ntontan Spider Web

Wisdom, Creativity Ani bere a, nso gya, anka mani abere koo; Seriousness does not show ery eyes, else you would see my face all red.

Ani Bere

Seriousness

Diligence, Perseverance

Asase Ye Duru

The Earth has Weight

Tumi nyina ne asase; All Divinity of Mother power emanates from the Earth, Providence, earth. Power, Authority, Wealth, Might Asase ye duru sen epo; The earth is heavier than the sea Deance, Endurance, Resourcefulness Afuence, Abundance, Unity Peace, Harmony, Caution Against Strife and Provocation Nyame, biribi wo soro, na ma embeka me nsa; God, there is something in heaven, let it get to me

Aya

The Fern

Bese Saka

Sack of Cola Nuts

Bi Nnka Bi

Bite Not One Another

Biribi Wo Soro

There is something in the Hope Heavens

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Symbol

Akan Translation Literal Meaning Symbolic Meaning Proverb Boa Me Na Me Boa Wo Help Me to Help Interdependence, You Cooperation

Dame Dame

A Board Game

Intelligence, Ingenuity

Denkyem

Crocodile

Adaptability

Dono

Drum

Praise

Duafe

Wooden Comb

Beauty, Hygiene, Feminine Qualities Concealment, Humility and Strength, Wisdom and Learning Love, Safety, Security Dwannini ye asisie a, ode n'akorana na...; It is the heart and not the horns that leads a ram to bully.

Dwannimmen

Ram's Horn

Eban

Fence

Epa

Handcuffs

Slavery, Equality, Law and Justice Friendship, Interdependence, Strength in Unity Tenderness, Gentleness

The Teeth and Ese Ne Tekrema the Tongue

Fafanto

Fawohudie

Freedom

Freedom, Liberty

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Symbol

Akan Translation Literal Meaning Symbolic Meaning Proverb Fihankra House Safety, Security

Fofo

A YellowFlowered Plant

Jealousy, Envy

Funtumfunafu Siamese Denkyem Funafu Crocodiles

Democracy, Unity in Diversity Supremacy of God, Omnipotence and Immortality of God Excellence, Superior Quality

Gye Nyame

Except for God

Hwemudua

Hye Won Hye

Imperishability, That Which Endless, Cannot Be Burnt Forgiveness, Toughness Remember Me Loyalty, Faithfulness

Hye wonnhye; He who burns be not burned.

Kae Me

Kete Pa

Good Bed

Good Marriage, Love, Faithfulness

Kintinkantan

Puffed Up Extravagance

Arrogance, Extravagance

Kojo Baiden

Rays

Cosmos, Omnipresence

Kontire Ne Akwamu

State Elders

Reliance, Democracy

One head does not make up council.

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Symbol

Akan Translation Literal Meaning Symbolic Meaning Proverb Krado Seal of Law and The Court's Order Authority The bad make it Warning Against difcult for the Deception and good to be Hypocrisy noticed. Do not boast. Do Need for Humility not be lled with and Service, pride. Modesty Hair of the Hero Valor, Bravery, Kwatakye Leadership

Kramo Bone

Kuntinkantan

Kwatakye Atiko

Mako Nyansa bun mu ne mate masie; Deep wisdom comes out of listening and keeping what is heard.

Mate Masie

I have heard and Knowledge, kept it Wisdom

Me Ware Wo

I Shall Marry You

Commitment

Mframadan

Wind-Resistant House

Fortitude, Preparedness

Mmere Dane

Time Changes

Change, Life's Dynamics

Mmomudwan

Unity

Unity, Togetherness

Mmra Krado

The Court's Seal of Law and Authority, Law and Order Order

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Symbol

Akan Translation Literal Meaning Symbolic Meaning Proverb Mmusuyidee That which Good Fortune, removes ill luck Sanctity, Spiritual or evil Strength Knot of Reconciliation Reconciliation, Peacemaking Skillfulness, Priestly Ofce, Loyalty, Adroitness Unity, Human Relations

Mpatapo

Mpuannum

Five Tufts of Hair

Nkonsonkonson Chain Links

Nea Onnim No Sua A Ohu Nea Ope Se Nkrofoo Ye Ma Wo No, Ye Saa Ara Ma Won Nea Ope Se Obedi Hene

He who does not know can know Knowledge from Learning Do to others the things you want Justice them to do to for you. He Who Wants to Leadership be King Nea ope se nkrofoo ye ma wo no, ye saa ara ma won; Do unto others what you want others to do unto you.

Nkontim

Hair of the Loyalty, Service Queen's Servant

Nkuma Kese

The Great Okra

Supremacy, Superiority

Nkyimu

The crossed divisions made Skillfulness, on Adinkra cloth Precision before printing Initiative, Toughness, Zigzag, Twisting Adaptability, Resoluteness Obra kwan ye nkyinkyimiie; Life's path is full of ups and downs; twists and turns.

Nkyinkyim

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Symbol

Akan Translation Literal Meaning Symbolic Meaning Proverb Nnonnowa Double Drum Valor, Strength

Nsaa

Type of hand-woven cloth

Excellence, Genuineness, Authenticity Wealth, Abundance, Afuence

Nea onnim nsaa oto n'ago; He who does not know authentic Nsaa will buy the fakes.

Nserewa

Nsoromma

Child of the Heavens

Guardianship

Nya Abotere

Be Patient

Patience, Calmness

Nyame Akruma God's Axe

Stealth, Righteous Might

Nyame Biribi Wo Soro

God is in the Heavens

Hope

Nyame Dua

Altar of God

God's Presence, Protection

God never dies, Nyame Nnwu Na therefore I cannot Life after Death Mawu die Faith and Trust in God Nyame nti mi nnwe wura; By God's grace, I will not eat leaves to survive.

Nyame Nti

By God's Grace

Nyame Ye Ohene God is King

Majesty and Supremacy of God

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Symbol

Akan Translation Literal Meaning Symbolic Meaning Proverb Nyansapo Wisdom Knot Wisdom, Ingenuity, Intelligence, Patience

Odo Nyera Fie Kwan

Love never loses Power of Love, its way home Faithfulness

Ohen Adwae

The King's Stool State, Chieftaincy

Ohene

King

Wisdom

Ohene Aniwa

King's Eye

Beauty, Vigilance

Ohene Tuo

The King's Gun

Greatness

Okodee Mmowere

Eagle's Talons

Bravery, Strength, Unity Okuafoo pa ne obi a oye nsiyefoo, ono na ose : w'afuo so a, woye ne nyinaa; The good and industrious farmer says: No matter how big your farm is you tend it all.

Okuafo Pa

Good Farmer

Hardwork, Entrepreneurship, Industry, Productivity

Onyakopon Adom Nti Biribiara Beye Yie Onyakopon Aniwa

By God's grace, Hope, Providence, all will be well Faith Onyakopon aniwa hu asumu asem biara; God's eye seees al secrets

God's Eye

Omnipresence of God

Onyakopon Ne Yen Ntena

May God be with God's Presence and Us Protection

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Symbol

Akan Translation Literal Meaning Symbolic Meaning Proverb Osidan The Builder Creativity Osram mmti preko nntwareman; It takes the moon some time to go round the earth.

Osram

The Moon

Patience and Understanding

Osram Ne Nsoromma

The Moon and the Star

Love, Faithfulness, Fondness

Steadfastness, Prudence, Snake Climbing Owo Foro Adobe Diligence, the Palm Tree Performing the Impossible Owuo Atwedee Owu atwedee obaako nforo; Death, Mortal Ladder of Death All men shall climb the ladder nature of man, Fate of death. Nyame boo owuo na owuo kum Nyame; na Nyame na ote nanka aduro nti odii owuo so nkonim; God created death and death killed God, yet the Eternal One also created the antidote to the venom of death, and God, therefore, overcame death.

Owuo Kum Nyame

Invincibility of Death, Power of Death Killed God God to Overcome Death

Pa Gya

Striking of Fire

War

Pempamsie

Readiness, Pempamsie se, bebebre Sew in Readiness Steadfastness, ahooden ne koroye; That Strength and Unity which will not overcome Learning From the Past Se wo were n a wo sankofa a Wisdom, Using past yennkyi; It is not a taboo to experiences to build return to fetch something you the future forgot earlier on. Justice

Sankofa

Sepow

Knife

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Symbol

Akan Translation Literal Meaning Symbolic Meaning Proverb Sesa Woruban Ghange your Life Transformation, A New Beginning

Sunsum

The Soul

Spirituality, Purity, Everlasting

Tabon

Paddle

Courage, Hard Work

Tamfo Bebre

The Enemy Shall Jealousy Suffer

Tumi te se kosua, woso mu den a, epae; na se woanso mu Delicacy of Political yie nso a, eri wo nsa bo famu Tumi Te Se Power is like an Power, Fragility of ma epae; Power is as fragile Kosua Egg Democracy, as an egg, when held too Restraint tightly it may break; but if held too loosely, it may fall. Power, Responsibility, Authority, Gun and State Tuo Ne Akofena Legitimacy, Sword National Security and Protection, Military Prowess Wawa Aba Seed of the Wawa Tree Skillfulness Wo nsa da mu a, wonni nnya wo; If your hands are in the dish, people do not eat everything and leave you nothing. Wuforo dua pa a na ye pia wo; He who climbs a good tree is encouraged/supported.

Wo Nsa Da Mu A

If you have your Democracy, hands in the dish Pluralism

Wuforo Dua Pa A

Support, When You Climb Cooperation, a Good Tree Encouragement

Helpful Resources Celtic Symbols and Traditions

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