Info For Y'all Unique In Addition To Culturally Flamboyant Funeral Celebrations Of Asante (Akan) People Of Ghana

The Asantes (Ashantis) are traditional strict observers of Akan civilization in addition to as they are noted for "they don`t do things past times halves." When Asantes do things they do it to the fullest, loathe it or similar it, that who they are! They are genuinely a people of civilization in addition to they are worthy ambassadors of rich Akan civilization in addition to traditions.
One of the Akan civilization that Asantes do non joke alongside with is their funerals. They are good known for their strict observance in addition to cooperation during funeral to commemorate the deceased in addition to they unique trial that takes house after the burial.

Wife displaying items she has brought to celebrate the decease of her mother in law at a funeral inwards Kumasi. The items are what the women are carrying their heads

 Like every culture, Asantes celebrate the transition of the soul of the deceased, into the ancestral world where it becomes a protective spirit for the clan, as a outcome the dead mortal is highly venerated through funeral celebrations. Family, friends in addition to acquaintances, sometimes inwards their hundreds, take portion inwards the celebrations. The participants wearing clothing inwards accordance alongside tradition, the wearing clothing worn past times relatives is inwards scarlet piece the others have on dark textile in addition to every slice of gilt jewelry their bodies tin support. There are many rituals: giving offerings to the spirits of the ancestors, food, drinks, traditional dances accompany him inwards the world of the ancestors inwards a flurry of drumming in addition to wild dancing.

Asante traditional rulers greeting at a funeral inwards Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana. Courtesy
Anthony Pappone

To the Asantes, funeral is similar a festival of a kind to them. They hardly have got festival except their Odwira festival of the Asantehene. Funeral ceremonies are non only a fourth dimension of mourning to them but also a festive occasion in addition to an avenue for coming together long lost friends in addition to family. As a outcome of these funerals has go a serious concern in addition to social gathering that no Asante wishing to miss at the weekends. Every amount of coin is pass to celebrate a funerals inwards Ashanti Region.

    Guests at funeral greeting 1 some other at a funeral inwards Kumasi. Courtesy Anthony Pappone

Professor Kwabena Nketia, the swell Ghanaian in addition to international musicologist in addition to living African traditional scholar par excellence writing inwards the 1950 concerning the unchanging lavish display at Akans funerals averred: "The celebration of funeral is regarded as duty in addition to no pains are spared to create it a memorable event. `Was it good attended?` (Ayie no nkrofuo bae?), `Was it exciting?` (Ayie no soe?) Those are the questions that may live asked as a bear witness of successful funeral (Nketia, 1954: 48)

                  Funeral celebration inwards Kumasi

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 few years later on Field (1960:48)  stressed the same point:"A funeral must ever live grand in addition to expensive." But Dr J Danquah, the the celebrated "doyen of Gold Coast Politics,"  the first of all African to gain doctorate grade from British University in addition to 1 of the first of all Western educated Ghanaian scholars, sounded a critical banking company notation when writing when describing Akan funeral customs. Here he inwards his 1927 writing he added a footnote to apologize to the reader:
"There is no concealing fact that the concern human relationship of customs as here
presented would seem repulsive, perhaps objectionable, to the
sympathetic educatee of Akan customs, whereas to the more
sophisticated, civilized man, it may seem possible entertaining.
Reading this chapter inwards 1927, I experience strongly inclined to omit it from this book..."
Funerals soundless campaign ambivalence. Their high toll in addition to extravagance are oft criticized inwards articles in addition to letters inwards newspapers in addition to inwards recent times the novel media, the speeches of politicians, in addition to inwards sermons of pastors. In fact some traditional rulers have got condemned it. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 brief notice inwards the Ghanaian State-owned paper Daily Graphic of June 3, 1994, speaks of "expensive coffins, psychedelic funeral parlous, elaborate banquets, in addition to display of extravagant items." Such funerals "are non meant to limited grief but rather to exhibit off." Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 related criticism is that theatre unit of measurement often pass to a greater extent than coin on funerals than they did on the attention of the elderly. In other words, they take meliorate attention of the dead than of the living. They seem interested to a greater extent than inwards post-mortem than pre-moterm care. As Akan maxim goes: "Abusua do funu (The theatre unit of measurement loves the corpse)

  Wife displaying items she has brought to celebrate the decease of her mother in law at a funeral inwards Kumasi. The items are what the women are carrying their heads

Whatever may live the criticism, Asantes soundless perform their funerals inwards the way they deem gibe per what their pockets determines. Buses in addition to domestic air-line travels to Kumasi on the weekends is a sight to behold! According Apr 20, 2014 edition of Daily Graphic when Asantehene pose a temporary ban on funeral inwards Kumasi, Ashanti Regional capital, the patronage of domestic airline services dropped over 'the past times 2 months"  thereby affecting "revenues of the  domestic air traffic of the half-dozen airlines operating domestic air services inwards in addition to out of the region." Kumasi is the biggest marketplace for the operators in addition to currently accounts for most 50 per cent of their passengers.
The Chief Executive Officer of Starbow, Mr James Eric Antwi, confirmed inwards an interview alongside the GRAPHIC BUSINESS on Apr 20 that the ban had led to a reduction inwards the number of people his outfit flies on a weekly basis. “The numbers inwards our weekend flights have got dropped. Mostly, the funeral travellers go on Fri in addition to render on Mon or Sun but that is no longer the instance because of that ban on funerals inwards Kumasi,” he said inwards an exclusive interview.

Concerning the Asante funeral rites, authors similar Forde in addition to Jones (1950), Rattray (1927), Mbiti (1975) have got written that the rites which intend to assist the deceased inwards his life after decease often imply the mostly conceived intention of getting rid of him in addition to to forbid his render either inwards body or as a ghost. Elderly Asantes opines that inwards the Asante club people are real sensitive to what is done when at that spot is a decease inwards the family. Death marks a physical separation of the private from other human beings. This is radical changes, in addition to the funeral rites are intended to pull attending to that permanent separation. As a outcome of the inwards a higher house elucidation, meticulous attention is taken to fulfill the funeral rites, in addition to to avoid causing whatever offence to the departed. By so doing, the body is subjected to all forms of body fine art inwards many ways.Among traditional Asantes, when everything pointed to the imminent decease of a person, at that spot would ever live some relatives some in addition to when his status worsened, they would give him his in conclusion gulp of H2O to quench his decease thirst. Right from the grooming of the corpse to concluding funeral rites, fine art is employed.

In the trial of the decease of a husband, the widow is expected to render (artefacts) sponge, soap, towel, cloth, blanket, pillow in addition to a long slice of hand-woven textile called ‘Danta’ which was used inwards the olden days as underwear. These items are used for the bathing in addition to lying inwards province of the dead husband. Upon death, the corpse may live washed, shrouded, dressed up, or set on the ground or inwards a province alongside ritual objects or funerary artefacts close it. Religious Obsequies may live observed at the
house, at a house of worship or at the house of disposal alongside funerary arts. The actual disposal of the body may include the provision of the dead person’s necessities such as amulets, food, weapons in addition to treasures.
Before the burial is mourning this varies from dissimilar mourners in addition to relatives. Some of the diverse ways inwards which this is expressed are funerary banquet, the wearing of distinctive colours, or special hairdo. Libation is pouring in addition to its associated artistic performance, offering, abstention from sure aspects of social life, purification in addition to the similar cast portion of mourning activities. Society at large also participates alongside the immediate mourners through response to graphic arts of obituaries, notices (a relatively modern trend), verbal arts of speeches, as good as visits in addition to attendance at diverse ceremonies.

The mode of disposal of the body inwards Asante civilization is commonly dictated past times cultural, religious, economic, political in addition to social differences or factors. Butt-Thompson (1929) also asserts that in
some cases it may live determined past times membership of a particular social group, clan association, grade of initiation into a hush-hush or ritual society, rank or status such as chief, sex, age, achievements, ethico-social status similar criminal, hero, villain, in addition to way of decease such as suicide or accident. It is no gainsaying that the inwards a higher house factors also create upward one's heed the extent to which fine art is used. The bottom line, however, remains that funerary fine art permeates anything associated alongside death.

Asante Chief arriving at a funeral inwards Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Republic of Ghana alongside his retinue leading the way to ensure his prophylactic passage. Courtesy Anthony Pappone

Funeral Songs
Africans limited themselves at diverse occasions through songs. The Akan of Republic of Ghana utilisation songs in addition to trip the low-cal fantastic toe to limited emotions including thankfulness, seek explanations in addition to convey messages of condolences to the bereaved family. They pass fourth dimension in addition to huge sums of coin to perform funerals. Akans particularly the Asantes attach swell seriousness to funeral ceremonies.

During funerals, dissimilar songs are sung irrespective of the type of music, live it Hi-Life, Adowa, Sikyi, Bosoe or Christian. At the diverse stages of the funeral, dissimilar songs are sung to convey dissimilar messages directed at dissimilar audiences or issues. The messages may live directed to God, the dead person, the bereaved theatre unit of measurement or to decease itself. The stages tin live when the mortal is set inwards state, moving towards the graveyard, saying the concluding goodbye, after the burial, at the thanksgiving service or during the concluding funeral rites.

                       Funeral drums

The singing of dirges is non an organized performance. Bereaved mourners friends in addition to sympathizers tin bring together inwards the wail past times singing a dirge of 1 kind or another. Singers are supposed to sing good in addition to utilisation appropriate gestures in addition to steps where necessary. Regarding performance. Nketia (1969:9) offers the next observation:
"A goodness vocalizer wins inwards emotional appeal: She moves her audience.
 Nevertheless, a funeral is the Kind of occasion for mere display,
though the temptation is swell in addition to many succumb to it. One of the
requirements of a performer is that she ,should really experience the pathos
of the occasion in addition to the sentiments embodied inwards the dirge.
Pretense is condemned in addition to mock-sadness is discouraged.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 tear should fall, lest you lot are branded a witch in addition to a callous person.
If a tear is physiologically hard to shed, you lot must cause it past times some
 means; but if it is physiologically impossible for you, it would live better
 to have got the marks of tears on your human face than zip at all.
The singers of the dirge rarely sit down down: they stride upward in addition to downward the
house of the funeral, flanked on all sides past times members of the lineage,
friends in addition to sympathizers seated on stalls, raised planks, chairs or on
the ground. Each circuit brings them inwards front end of the corpse  or where
the lineage caput or the bereaved father, mother, hubby or married adult woman sits.
 Some walk out in addition to then come upward inwards again."

In specific forms, pop civilization is reflected non only inwards the dirges in addition to odes sung to praise the deceased, but to a greater extent than importantly inwards music in addition to dance. During the public funeral celebrations traditional singing in addition to drumming groups may render amusement for those present. The most pop of these traditional trip the low-cal fantastic toe ensembles are adowa, nwonkoro, adenkum, kete, asaadua, in addition to bosoe, inwards most of which women are the Pb singers. Some of the accompanying musical instruments, such as the firikyiwa or nnawuruta (bells) in addition to donno (gong), are played past times experienced women. Many of the women singers acquire the fine art of singing early on inwards their youth and
an accomplished performer is real pleasing to listeners' ears. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 mortal volition live roused to bring together a singing grouping or trip the low-cal fantastic toe if the vocal reminds him or her of a serial of events inwards his or her life. As inwards the instance of the dirges, the Pb singers acquire to live skillful at manipulating people  present past times drawing on the direct in addition to indirect experiences of people inwards the community in addition to past times beingness acutely sensitive to the reactions of the sympathizers in addition to celebrants of the funeral. In this regard, a mutually supportive
human relationship betwixt the traditional vocalizer in addition to the dancer is established. The vocalizer tin piece of work the dancer to high frenzy in addition to the dancer tin do the obverse. Both depend on each other for the desired outcome. Until recently, the traditional trip the low-cal fantastic toe ensembles were rarely paid for their performance at funerals.

An effective combination of first-class alternative of text, poetic recital, in addition to appropriate gestures is sure to captivate the audience in addition to the bereaved lineage.The dirges themselves comprehend the whole spectrum of social life, including kinship, marital in addition to familial relations, economics, political activities, in addition to societal values. Below are selected examples of dirges commonly sung inwards praise of the deceased. The selections are taken from Nketia (1969) in addition to McCaskie (1989)
(I)                   An Expression of the Extent of Loss                       
Ahunu mu nni me dua bi na maso mu              There is no branch inwards a higher house which I could grasp
Asuo ayisi me oo, na Otwafoo ne hwan?          I am inwards flooded waters. Who volition rescue me?
Agycl hehu mefi na onhu me yie bi                  When manlike mortal parent meets me, he volition hardly recognize me.
Obehu me, na meso ketego ne nwansena         For he volition run into me carrying all I have: a lorn                                                                                     sleeping mat in addition to a horde of flies.
Mene womma bewe unanse oo,                        Your children in addition to I volition feed on the spider;
Na akura dee} obopou                                     The mouse is likewise long a game
Praa e, mene wo mma oo                                 Your children in addition to I (what volition go of us!)
Ena e, me nko m'anim                                      I am done for
Ayya e, ahia me                                               I am destitute
Praa e, ahia me                                                Your children are poor
Wo mma rehwe w'ano                                      Your children are looking for you
Onwunu redwo oo} dee awisiaa afe ne nca"       The nighttime is fast approaching where the orphan is                                                                            dying to reckon its mother" (Nketia 1969:47-48)

(II)                An Expression of Desire for Continued Fellowship in addition to Love
"Obi reba a, mane me                                     Send me something when someone is coming
Mane me na mene wo di mane                       Send me something for you lot in addition to I telephone commutation gifts
Eye a, mane me denkyemmoo na                   Send me parched corn so that I tin consume it raw if I am
mannya gya a, mawe no mono                                 unable to discovery give the axe to ready it on
Wore mane me a mane me                             When you lot are sending me something, I would similar a
sen kese a egye ahohoo"                                  "a large pot that receives strangers" (Nketia 1969:49)

(III)               For a Deceased Mother/Father
"Eno, nko nnya me akyire oo                          0, woman parent do non leave of absence me behind
Eno, nko nnya me akyire oo, Osiantan             0, mother, delight do non leave of absence me behind
Ena awu agya me oo:                                       Mother has died in addition to left me alone:              
Na mene hwan na ewo ha yi?"                           With whom am I at nowadays here?"
                                                OR
"Agya e, aka me nko                                      "Father, I am hither alone
Mene wo beko                                               I shall go alongside you
Agya e, befa me ko                                        Father, come upward in addition to take me away
Eye a, ma yenko yen dee mu             Let us go dorsum together to the house where nosotros came from   Na enye yen tenabere ne ha"                          We do non belong here" (Nketia 1969:45-46)

(IV)                   For a Deceased Priest
Obosomfoo Kosekose oo:                                 Farewell, thou priest
Ohene ni, nkumankuma brebre                         Fare thee well, woman parent of the king
Woko a, duom oo, ohene ba                             When you lot start, do non tarry, Prince
Gye due na duom oo!                                       Receive condolences in addition to proceed on
Wo duru Kurotia a, ho wodin ma ahrane           When you lot hit the outskirt,s of the town,
mma wo so nu wodi amantire nu                      mention your scream so that strong men send you lot                                                                        shoulder high for you lot dominion 2 worlds. (Nketia                                                                                                                                  1969:44-45)


(V)            For a Deceased Asantehene (Asante King)
Nana atu ne kyinie                                         Nana (the Asantehene) has removed his umbrella
Awia na ebeku yen.                                        We shall live scorched to decease past times the sun.
Womim dee wo gyaa me                                 You know the status inwards which you lot have got left me
Ya ma nsuo nto na ma so bi anom.                  See to it that at that spot is pelting so that I tin collect some                                                                                                of it to drink.
Se womane me a mane me denkyembrebo If you lot are sending me parcel,send me a crocodile's liver
Mannya gya a mawe no mono.                  Which I tin consume raw failing to acquire give the axe alongside which to
                                                                                  cook. (McCaskie 1989:424-25)
Singing a dirge inwards the past times commonly signaled the first of all of the funeral ceremony in addition to remained its mainstay for a long time, until it was reinforced in addition to eventually overshadowed past times music in addition to trip the low-cal fantastic toe (Nketia 1969: 17). The real enactment surrounding singing dirges is a clear testimony to the artistic endowment of Akan women


The utilisation of coffin
Osei (2002) agrees that coffins are quite mutual inwards Asante culture. They were used inwards olden times. They are said to have got been fashioned out of the swell apartment buttress roots of the onyina (silk tree). Rattray (1927), asserts that when a coffin was used, the body was wrapped inwards mats.The electrical flow written report revealed that modernisation has influenced, to a greater extent, the arts associated alongside funerals inwards Kumasi.

 Oral tradition suggests that inwards ancient times, hollowed-out tree trunks or barks of trees were the commonest objects inside which dead Ashanti bodies, wrapped upward cotton fiber wool, were placed before burial. The electrical flow exercise is that expensive locally made coffin in addition to fifty-fifty inwards the instance of wealthy individuals, coffins made of silver, brass or drinking glass in addition to similar media are sometimes
imported to befit the spot in addition to status of the deceased or to display the wealth of the living relatives.

Customarily, it is the children of the deceased who buy coffins inwards Asante. Sometimes, too, it is some arrangement to which the deceased belonged which provides the coffin. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 most late emerging vogue inwards the Asante part is that neighborhood welfare groups Koroye- kuo, as portion of members’ exhibit of love in addition to unity to a departed colleague; offering to render the coffin for the burial, amid other things.

Body fine art of the corpse
Before narrowing downward the give-and-take on this to Asante, it would live appropriate to seem at the universality of this exercise based on available literature.“The body is non only depicted inwards art. It is used inwards making art, or is transformed to go fine art itself. The human body is stuff for fine art making. It tin live painted or sculpted, or tin live portion of a performance or spectacle.” Lazzari & Schlesier (2002) Asantes cannot concord alongside the inwards a higher house assertions to a greater extent than in addition to have got thus adopted the human body (both dead in addition to living) in addition to incorporated it inwards their funerary arts to convey ideas in addition to beliefs at the expense of words. As a result, they have got a repertoire of funerary body art
comprising epitome of the skin, coiffure or hairdressing costume including footwear, wearing of amulets, bracelets, necklaces, anklets in addition to full general body adornment to portray sure beliefs inwards connectedness alongside the death. Asantes tin also live identified alongside burying artefacts together alongside the dead. However, this exercise is non the save of only the Asantes, rather, a custom inwards many parts of Africa. Mbiti (1975) identifies some of the works of fine art as spears, bows in addition to arrows, stools, snuff, ornaments, tools, in addition to domestic utensils. The greatest treasures ever discovered inwards a burial house were those of King Tutankhamen of Arab Republic of Egypt who died inwards B.C. 1352. These were discovered inwards his tomb inwards Upper Arab Republic of Egypt nearly 3,300 years later on inwards 1922. They comprised jewels, furniture, shrines, in addition to portrait masks all covered alongside gold, worth an inestimable amount of money.
In Asante, at that spot are variations inwards the body fine art of the dead. These are dictated past times factors such as the circumstances of the death, age, social position, in addition to status of the deceased. Various forms of ‘ghost’ or ‘soul’ currency (Saman-Sika or Kra-Sika), inwards the cast of ornaments of a sure shape in addition to design, are saltation circular the wrists of the corpse. Gold dust is often pose into its ears in addition to into the hollow inwards a higher house the zygomatic area, known as sikagubea (the house for pouring gilt dust). Gold dust is also saltation upward inwards a modest packet in addition to tied to the loin cloth; pilus is sometimes placed inwards the mouth. The inquiry revealed that the pilus is a cast of coin or has some value inwards the world of ghosts (Rattray 1927). The electrical flow researchers recognized that sometimes, the caput of the corpse is
shaved in addition to marked alongside alternate red, white, in addition to dark stripes, made alongside sono (red dye), white clay, in addition to bidie (charcoal). Benenneh, 1999 (unpublished thesis), however, gives a dissimilar interpretation of these colours as follows: “Invariably, the scarlet represented the blood of the living relatives, the black, decease in addition to the white the ancestors. The motive behind this was also to dependent plain the dead mortal to slow recognition should he or she walk as a saman (ghost).

Also inwards the indigenous presentation in addition to the grooming of the corpse, the Study revealed that Asantes occasionally placed a brass pan beneath the caput in addition to later on this is buried inwards this position, inwards monastic say toreceive the caput when it drops off in addition to instead of the hands beingness folded, they are sometimes allowed to repose alongside the fingers on 1 of the metallic vessels called Kudoͻ which contain gilt dust.

The bottom work soundless remains that the dead body was dressed in addition to adorned far to a greater extent than opulently than it mightiness ever have got done when alive. Highly polished brass beds were inwards mutual use. These were covered alongside several layers of blanket in addition to multi-coloured expensive in addition to goodness lineament Kentecloths. Generally, the body was set inwards a supine spot alongside the hands either folded across the breast or lying parallel to the trunk. It was covered alongside a real expensive εfununtoma (shroud) which was commonly a Kentecloth in addition to adorned alongside every available cast of “ghost or soul currency” inwards the cast of golden or silverish ornaments of diverse shapes, sizes in addition to designs. This has also been confirmed past times Benneh (1999).

Funeral donations
As outcome of using cotton fiber wool for burial practices, it became scarce in addition to consequently treasured. Relatives in addition to then began to experience difficulty inwards getting the required quantity in addition to due to this; they called on sympathizers, friends in addition to well-wishers to donate some cotton fiber for wrapping the corpse. This exercise brought most the concept of nsaabodeε a corrupted cast of asaawa (cotton) in addition to aboadeε (helper).This also brings into focus the concept of asiedeε (funeral goods). This is a exercise where a widow or widower of a deceased as good as his or her loved ones give items ranging from mats, pillows, pieces of textile to handkerchiefs in addition to rings. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 western dimension of
wreath presentation has also go a mutual practice. Another schoolhouse of thought amid Asantes opines that the term nsaabodeε has been derived from the exercise of offering modest quantities of palm-wine nsafufuo as donations to assist the bereaved theatre unit of measurement to enable it offering drinks to the sympathizers during the funeral. Thus, nsaaboadeε, literally way vino assistance. Whatever the etymology of nsaabodeε, all contributions inwards this regard either straight to the bereaved theatre unit of measurement or indirectly to the deceased was termed thus.

Foreign organized religious belief in addition to westernization have got suppressed the utilisation of sure traditional requirements of coin in addition to the other numerous items which used to accompany the dead to the spirit world. The wearing clothing code of the corpse, apart from traditional rulers, is also yielding to pressure level from westernisation. This is partly attributed to the scorn alongside which Christianity, Islam in addition to western civilization seem at this practice, as it is considered idol worship. The marginalization of these traditional requirements is also blamed on the activities of grave looters, who, it is alleged, spy on the proceedings at funeral grounds in addition to later on loot graves containing such wealth. This minute assertion is buttressed past times the fact that grave looting is prevalent inwards urban centres where extravagance is displayed during funeral ceremonies. The application of fine art inwards the funeral ceremonies of Asante has brought most some cultural conflicts. There were situations when the researchers came across a dead Asante principal adorned inwards typical Asante regalia but was mounted inwards a sitting posture.

The Funeral Scene
Traditionally, Asante funeral days are Mondays in addition to Thursdays if they go on non to live nnabͻne (bad days), days particularly reserved for the deities to descend in addition to partake of men’s affairs. This province of affairs has changed over the years in addition to nowadays most funeral ceremonies inwards in the part are held on Saturdays when authorities in addition to other workers are gratis to attend. Thus, the complexity of modernization has influenced all facets of life including funeral ceremonies.
It used to live sheds constructed of sticks in addition to covered alongside palm fronds that provided shade for funeral ceremonies.

Socio-technological advancement has nevertheless brought inwards its wake a to a greater extent than convenient environmental fine art slice for funeral ceremonies inwards Kumasi as good as inwards many other parts of the country. Hired canopies are the monastic say of the day. It must live stated that this novel exercise has led to the proliferation of canopy-hiring commercial ventures inwards the region. Close relatives of the deceased sit down upon mats provided for that purpose inwards front end of the sheds or canopies piece the rest, well-wishers, sympathizers in addition to friends, are provided alongside benches in addition to or foldable wooden chairs. Plastic chairs are at nowadays largely inwards utilisation at funeral grounds inwards Asante region.
Opportunities are provided for well-wishers, sympathizers in addition to friends to limited their sympathy inwards monetary. In this regard, manlike mortal relatives take their positions at strategic points behind tables to have donations for which receipts are issued. It is an almost obligatory exercise to denote such donations at the funeral grounds for all acquaint to hear. No tangible reasons have got been assigned to these announcements as the donor is given a receipt to exhibit acknowledgement of the donation. It is at nowadays a mutual phenomenon to reckon donors crowding at public address systems at funeral grounds waiting impatiently for their donations to live announced. Formerly, only drinks were provided but at nowadays nutrient is served to participants inwards the theatre unit of measurement house, or inwards cases where at that spot are huge numbers of people to live served, other places, apart from the theatre unit of measurement houses, are sought inside the vicinity to  them. Sometimes, a catering service enterprise is contracted to prepare in addition to serve the food.

The Adoa procession inwards Asante civilization has non given way to modernity. Instead, this has been
magnified to reverberate a exhibit of wealth. At sure funerals, particularly those of elderly people, 1 may notice that a procession of women in addition to girls dressed inwards Dansinkran outfits led past times a grouping of others carrying well-polished brass bowls containing well-arranged items depicting an almost interplanetary space aesthetic appeal. This procession would all of a precipitous appear at a corner amidst chanting of appellations past times onlookers. They volition in addition to then proceed inwards a retinue, characterized past times an uncompelling regal walk, circular the funeral grounds. Thus, Adͻsoa appears to exhibit almost all the fine art forms inwards the funeral rites of Asantes. The Adͻsoa bundles line their origins to the funerals of kings.
Traditionally, the grand children of the deceased are non left out inwards the body fine art as good as the performing art
associated alongside funeral ceremonies. These children, who are non expected to fast, displace from 1 cease of the community to the other stamping the ground alongside old pestles in addition to chanting, “Nana awuoo!”, “Yεmmuannaoo!” It is said that past times so doing, they are insisting on a demand for coin to buy food, implying that if the demand was non met, they would disrupt proceedings at the funeral grounds (Nketia, J.H.K. 1955). This performance has nevertheless ceased inwards Asante due to acculturation. The grand children are no longer identified past times this performance, rather past times arranged dark in addition to white cloths.
Widowhood rites are soundless observed today inwards Asante. One must nevertheless live quick to province that aspects of these rites considered to live idol worship past times unusual religions are left out. The widow contributes to the adesiediε (funeral goods) that are used to launder in addition to prepare the corpse. Asantesbelieve that it is of import to launder off the earthly pollution of the body so that the spirit tin live transmitted into the spirit world. The items constituting a widow’s funeral goods may include a blanket, bed sheet, pillow, mat, ahenemma (native sandals), bucket, assorted soaps, sponge, cloth, perfume in addition to power, danta (loin cloth). Identifying the widow past times smearing of the widow with
ntwima (red clay) on the human face in addition to shoulders on the twenty-four hours of burial is no longer a mutual exercise except inwards the instance of a dead chief. Again, at the funeral grounds, instead of traditional leaves held past times the widow, specially designed synthetic flowers are used. The wearing clothing code of the widow soundless remains kuntunkuni (black) in addition to kͻbene (red).
However, the scarlet textile is at nowadays worn over the black, a reversal of her dressing when the decease occurs initially. Sackey (2001), confirms that fifty-fifty inwards the human face of modernity, a widow cannot pose on whatever cast of jewellery until after a year.

Significance of Color inwards Asante funeral wearing clothing in addition to body art

Apart from the shaving of the hair, the people smear their bodies alongside white clay, a sign of decease in addition to mourning, the first of all striking thing most an Ashanti funeral is the clear color distinctions inwards the habiliment of mourners. As Rattray observed it, "The blood relations smear 3 lines of scarlet clay (ntwuma) or odame, from left to right on the forehead (known as kotobirigya). Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 similar 1 called ntwomampaemu (division of scarlet clay) is made from the dorsum of the shaven caput to the forehead in addition to the same pattern referred to as "asafe" are made on the upper arms. Ameyaw-Benneh (1994), observes that, these patterns portray the particular mourner as real closed or honey to the deceased. The 3 lines are belike related to the 3 principles which characteristic quite prominently inwards Akan culture: first, Onyame (God), the giver of the Okra in addition to to whom it returns upon death; second, AsaseYaa (mother Earth goddess) which would take the body in addition to third, the ancestors who would

welcome (or reject) the Saman (ghost) of the deceased into their fold.

                       Asante women wearing Adinkra cloths at a funeral of an elderly person

Mourning bands (abotiri) are fastened circular the head, into which scarlet peppers are sometimesplaced; the russet-brown mourning cloths are pose on; these are sometimes marked alongside Adinkra stamped designs" (1929, p. 150). Clay symbolizes the dirt or filth which decease has brought upon the theatre unit of measurement in addition to it is dumped on the bodies of only the blood relations in addition to the widow or widower. 

The sons of the deceased have on internet caps alongside miniature ladders, scarlet pepper in addition to egg shells attached to it. The internet symbolizes the helplessness of the wearer - Nsuoayiri me, na -hwan-naͻbε to atenaayi me? (I am drowning inwards the alluvion waters, in addition to who would rescue me alongside a net)?The scarlet pepper indicates the seriousness of the occasion, M’aniaberesεmako (My eyes are as scarlet as pepper). Pepper is scarlet as good as hot, therefore, it symbolises grief, precipitous calamity, fierce hurting in addition to an human activeness of war. The egg shells portray the saying, Atome ne nkosuahono (I am left alongside only egg shells). Had the manlike mortal parent or woman parent been alive, it would non have got been egg shells, rather a whole fowl. The miniature ladder on its portion indicates the saying, owuoatwedeε, baako mforo (the ladder of decease is non mounted past times only 1 person). This is a clear manifestation of Asantes’ belief that decease is universal.

The mourners who are non blood relations (and these would include non-matrilineal relations, affines in addition to personal friends) pose on black. Thus at this flat dark in addition to scarlet refer to contrary categories in addition to relationships. But all "the outward in addition to visible signs of mourning, the scarlet ochre in addition to the funeral clothes affected past times the ordinary mourners, are taboo to a priest" (1929, p.175). So that

a matrikin of the dead inwards the priesthood "must have on white in addition to sprinkle himself alongside white clay (hyere), as if as far as he is concerned, decease in addition to mourning in addition to sorrow do non exist. The corpse of a dead priest is draped inwards white in addition to sprinkled alongside white clay, symbolizing the antithesis of ordinary funerary customs, which mayhap grade out the wearers as beingness inwards a province of sorrow or defilement"

(1929, p.175).

In abide by of the corpse In damage of whose connections these categories are distinguished, Rattray remarks that "Sometimes the caput of the corpse is shaved in addition to marked alongside alternate, red, white, in addition to dark stripes, made alongside esono (red dye), white clay, in addition to bidie (charcoal). This, I am informed, is done so that the dead mortal may live readily recognized if he or she walks as a saman (ghost), (Rattray 1929, p.152).

We reckon some other utilisation of colours inwards the ritual which terminates Kunaye, the ritual which amid Akans a mortal performs to mourn the decease of a spouse. According to Kofi Antubam, "After a year's menstruum of wearing dark cloth, a married mortal who has lost his or her partner closes the Kunayq rites at the cease of the year, in addition to In the forenoon of the first of all twenty-four hours of the minute twelvemonth she or he throws

off the dark in addition to puts on Kobene (red cloth) for the ceremony, weeping inwards retentiveness of the dead. Towards noon on that day, he sheds the scarlet likewise in addition to puts on white textile tinted alongside green" (1963, p.85).

In Battray's description of funeral costumes, it is clear that the dissimilar colours worn past times mourners serve as labels to differentiate groups inwards damage of their relationships to the dead. Red marks out the matrilineal relatives of the dead, black, non-matrilineal relatives in addition to the principal grouping inwards this grade of relations is the affines of the dead. For the priestly grade however, none of these labels Is used. Those inwards priestly business office tin only utilisation white. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 shorf comment on this is necessary.

The utilisation of color inwards denoting the specific classes in addition to thus the role of individuals inwards funerary ritual hither employs 2 distinct levels of classificatory categories. In the 1 instance a distinction is made betwixt those who belong to the abusua (clan/family)of the dead in addition to those who are exterior it. Red for the old in addition to dark for the latter. But at some other level, a contrast is implicit betwixt those inwards the aforementioned statuses together in addition to those inwards the sacred business office of priesthood This distinction rests at a deeper flat of classification, on the dichotomy betwixt the sacred in addition to the profane. And this flat of analysis is supervenient to the former, hence the fact that a priest, live he a maternal relative or non must utilisation white, the color of purity in addition to sacredness.

Rat tray makes this antithesis clearer inwards his observation that piece the caput of whatever ordinary dead may live "marked alongside alternate, red, white, in addition to dark stripes", the corpse of a dead priest "is draped inwards white in addition to sprinkled alongside white clay", as if fifty-fifty inwards death, the priest is undefiled past times death. This also shows the ascendance of the sacred/profane categories over all other modes of classification.

I have got personally been curious to discovery out what the combination of red, white in addition to dark stands for. Here 1 observes that some other utilisation of this tricolour is inwards the ornament of the funeral vessel "abusua kuruwa" (the clan or lineage pot vessel). The "abusua kuruwa" is commonly of burnt clay pot in addition to it "has a lid or comprehend which has been fashioned to correspond the dead; it has oft also scarlet in addition to white in addition to dark stripes. All the blood relations of the deceased at nowadays shave their heads; this pilus is placed inwards the pot", (Rattray 1929, 169, 165) which the women inwards the maternal work of the dead send to in addition to leave of absence at the house of the pots (esenso) inwards the cemetery where their relation was buried. I should similar to advise that the symbolism hither is the same as the symbolism of the alternate red, white in addition to dark painted on the caput of the dead; in addition to that the thought that the colours should create it possible for the dead to live identified inwards the under world rests on the fact that every individual, or his status, tin live identified inwards damage of 3 things: his relations alongside his maternal relatives (red), his connections alongside non-maternal relatives (black) in addition to finally, his human relationship alongside the spiritual world (white). If the dead must live identified inwards the afterworld It is inwards damage of his social status that he must live identified which is meaningful inwards the low-cal of Akan belief that the house the spirit

of the dead occupies inwards the side past times side world depends on the social status he attains before death.

Coming as it is at the cease of the funeral observances of a bereaved spouse, the ritual of which Antubam gives a description serves to displace the bereaved wife from the profane to the sacred.

And it is the stations inwards the procedure of transition which the distinct colours specify: black, the symbol of death, scarlet a sign that she is inwards transition from the profane to the sacred; and, white, a sign that she is purified, in addition to sacred, in addition to the tinge of greenish is a clear indication of the supposition of novel life.

In the contexts above, the emotions which the colours used limited are explicit enough. Those who pose on scarlet in addition to smear themselves alongside scarlet ochre to signal they are the blood relatives of the deceased are inwards an extreme traumatic state, in addition to every endeavor is made to dramatize this fact. Those who pose on dark because they are non related to the dead past times blood only portion inwards the sorrow of the kinsmen of the dead; their grief does non approximate to that of the kinsmen of the dead. The 3rd category of people is the category of priests, who, whether as blood relatives or other, express, as is due to their office, their consummate disassociatlon from death, suffering in addition to sorrow. In the midst of grief, the business office of a priest stands for the spiritual joy of which the living are assured.

In looking at the ritual which terminates Kunaye (widowhood rites) as a ritual of transition 1 would reckon beyond these 2 levels - first of all transition from an old disrupted status to a novel 1 inwards the club in addition to minute a transition from the sacred to profane — a third, the transition from sorrow to joy. The dark color which the widow wears to exhibit she has lost a loved 1 gives way to red, which mightiness hither limited extreme sorrow caused past times the retentiveness of the decease or the sorrow in addition to danger felt inwards the crisis of transition.

When she sheds the scarlet in addition to puts on white she puts away sorrow. She also moves from the province of danger inherent inwards transition in addition to arrives inwards a province of joy. One interesting dot hither is that the emotional states which are prescribed for individuals or groups particular ritual roles in addition to stations inwards a ceremony as indicated past times the color inwards utilisation mightiness non correspond to the actual emotional province of the mortal performing the ritual. And what strikes me as an of import aspect of this conflict betwixt actual emotions in addition to prescribed affection is that the latter mightiness live used as a way of controlling the old to convey most the emotional adjustment 1 has to. create inwards situations of crises. This is what mightiness live at the bottom of the traditional exercise that when a precipitous decease occurs, decease through accident, childbirth or other (Atofowu), relatives do non pose on dark or red. They must, similar the dead himself, live inwards white. On such occasions Akans who are given to much emotional wailing at funerals are forbidden to weep. By this device the suden surge of emotion is dammed in addition to the excessive sorrowing which mightiness stimulate the want to revenge in addition to Pb some people to comport inwards ways which mightiness live anti-social are allowed to peter out. Also, when a real old mortal dies, white is the color tradition prescribed for use. In this instance, people are non only required to command their emotions, but are also asked to rejoice. It is a mutual belief that when the aged buy the farm they convey the blessings of many children to the lineage. In this hope sorrow is banished.

Source: http://archive.lib.msu.edu/DMC/African%20Journals/pdfs/Institue%20of%20African%20Studies%20Research%20Review/1970v7n1/asrv007001003.pdf

            http://www.ijhssnet.com/journals/Vol_3_No_16_Special_Issue_August_2013/12.pdf

Clothed inwards symbols: wearing proverbs

                  BY DANIEL MATO

Much of Akan ritual practice, religious activity, social life, in addition to fine art is directed towards funerary ceremonies in addition to observances. Death in addition to life are acknowledged in addition to celebrated through ritualized behavior, stylized fine art forms, in addition to total community participation. Funerals are occasions for deep sorrow in addition to celebration as they recognize that the decease was non only the ending of an individual's life but a reaffirmation of the life of the theatre unit of measurement in addition to continuity of the community. This prominence of funerals was noted past times the first of all European visitors in addition to continued to live recorded past times subsequent observers upward to the present. Intriguingly, a number of these early on comments on Akan funerals could serve today to depict aspects of acquaint funerary activities (deMarees 1604, Bosman 1705, Atkins 1735, Bowdich 1819, Cruickshank 1853, MacDonald 1898). Descriptions of to a greater extent than recent Akan funerals in addition to burial practices have got been recorded past times a number of authors in addition to demand non live given hither inwards item (see Rattray 1927, Nketia 1955, Antubam 1963, Denteh 1975, Bellis 1982, Mato 1987 et al.).

                    Dormaahene Osadeayo Agyeman Badu at a funeral 

Families volition admit the late deceased during ceremonies of remembrance held on the 8th twenty-four hours (nawotwe da) after decease alongside dancing in addition to wearing of "funeral cloths." Other rituals take house twoscore (adaduanan) in addition to fourscore (adadutwe) days after decease alongside an of import ceremony 1 twelvemonth later on (afehyia da). Important ceremonies of remembrance are also regularly held inwards the community to celebrate non only those late deceased but to honour all those who have got died (owuofo). These take house every twoscore days (adae or kwasidae) alongside a major country-wide ceremony (odwira) held yearly.

Funerals in addition to later on ceremonies of remembrance (ayie pa) are prescribed to follow established protocols of demeanour in addition to conduct inwards monastic say to insure their success as a rite of passage in addition to as a "social event." Funerals amid the Akan have got considerable communal prestige so that they are non only measured as ritual procedure but also as public display. The proper conduct of a funeral acknowledges established social in addition to ritual protocols in addition to must reverberate appropriate artistic in addition to aesthetic concerns so that ceremonies volition non only live measured past times their content, but could live every bit compromised past times non beingness good done. As was stated at a funeral: Se fun nya asoayia a, nna ototo no kon, or "A decent funeral procession is inwards itself a tribute to the success of the funeral of the deceased" (collected inwards Kumasi 1988, reckon also Rattray 1916: No. 452). The social element is acknowledged past times people who volition inquire when discussing a funeral: "Were at that spot many inwards attendance, was at that spot much to drink, was at that spot much singing in addition to music for dancing? Were the funerary gifts for the deceased sufficient in addition to did the theatre unit of measurement have donations to defray the toll of the funeral?" Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 family's prestige was at adventure if the local community did non recollect that appropriate efforts had been made to "send the dead off inwards style" or if those attending were non "treated properly." Attendance at a funeral is a affair of paying abide by to the deceased in addition to their theatre unit of measurement as good as beingness a major social occasion. People attending volition have on appropriate funerary cloths in addition to contribute to aid the theatre unit of measurement pay for the funeral, for which they are publicly acknowledged in addition to given receipts. Those attending volition also await to live entertained alongside music, dancing, in addition to refreshments to lighten the day.

Funerals serve to recognize the fact that the deceased was non only a fellow member of a complex construction of lineage relationships but also a fellow member of the local community. Much of Akan ritual in addition to ceremonial life is opened upward to public demonstration in addition to communal participation; their highly visible funerals are occasions non only for the seem of sorrow but every bit opportunities for socializing alongside theatre unit of measurement in addition to friends. It is an occasion of celebration as good as sadness in addition to is aptly summed upward past times Field inwards her observation that: "At no fourth dimension inwards a person's life is he as sociable as at death" (1948: 138). The funeral of an Akan adult sets into motion ceremonial in addition to ritual activities which limited personal in addition to communal loss in addition to allow the mutual sharing of grief piece celebrating the advancement of a novel ancestor through a collective feeling of community.

Akan funerals are non only a rite of passage during which the deceased is mourned through highly ritualized displays of grief in addition to loss, but are also the occasion for the appearance of a number of dissimilar fine art forms which province in addition to confirm relationships amid the living piece honoring the dead. These specialized funerary arts are the instruments whereby contact is established alongside the novel ancestor(s) (saman(fo)) in addition to through which people tin limited their familial in addition to lineage relationships to the deceased. One's rank in addition to status inside one's lineage in addition to concurrently one's spot inside the political in addition to social construction of the community volition live reflected inwards the arts displayed during funerals in addition to subsequent ceremonies of remembrance. Akan funerary arts are closely associated to cosmological in addition to religious beliefs in addition to are shaped to reverberate views of life in addition to the afterlife, as literal in addition to symbolic references are made to principles in addition to deities.

The public proclamation of a decease initiates a menstruum of mourning in addition to concurrently the first of all appearance of funerary arts. Funerals are publicly active in addition to communally experienced; they proceed from the statement of the decease through the burial (detie yie) in addition to during later on ceremonies of remembrance. It is a complex menstruum of activity which may appear to live tumultuous in addition to unorganized to "European" eyes (deMarees 1600: 343; Bosman 1705: 364; Atkins 1735: 105; Bowdich 1819: 284 et al.). However seemingly disjointed, each of the funerary activities has its house inwards a coordinated in addition to traditional scheme of appearance which allows in addition to encourages spontaneous demonstration of grief in addition to sorrow

. Drumming in addition to dancing, the presentation of symbolic gestures past times individuals, the singing of dirges in addition to laments are fine art forms which contain social participation on the broadest scale. These active in addition to transitory fine art forms known as anigyedee have got their "existence" piece they are performed past times theatre unit of measurement in addition to friends. The materially permanent funerary arts of the Akan are good known; they include ritual pottery (abusua kuruwa), terra cotta figures (nsodia or sempon), figurative smoking pipes (ebua) in addition to the diverse cloths worn particularly during this time. Personal objects of everyday utilisation such as stools, lav articles, theatre unit of measurement heirlooms, in addition to possessions of the deceased may also live included as funerary goods in addition to presented at the fourth dimension of burial. The recitation of proverbs (ebe or mmebusem) in addition to aphorisms appropriate to Akan ideas regarding life, death, in addition to the afterlife are often stated during funerals in addition to subsequent ceremonies of remembrance. They volition live voiced past times individuals who may spontaneously declaim a maxim alongside related gestures or live sung past times a grouping of mourning women. They are at nowadays fifty-fifty worn as T-shirts in addition to caput bands at funerals. Proverbs in addition to aphorisms volition often have got as dependent plain affair themes which refer to human mortality in addition to the universality of death:

Owuo reckon fie—"Death spoils the house"

Owuo begya hwan—"Whom volition decease spare"

Owu adare nna fako—"Death's sickle does non reap inwards 1 house alone"

Obi nim nea owu wo a, anka onsi ho ara da—"If 1 knew where decease resided 1 would never halt there"

Closely allied to the verbally stated proverbs, physically displayed symbolic gestures depict proverbial statements inwards visual form. Proverbs in addition to aphorisms take on added weight of pregnant reinforced through body movement, expressive opinion or gesture. The physical gesture is closely allied to its verbal element past times restating the expressed sentiment or maxim inwards tangible, physical form. As McLeod has noted, what occurs is "... conjunction of, or an interaction between, 2 dissimilar modes of communication: the verbal in addition to the physical" (1976:92). Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 unproblematic gesture or body spot may have got a number of proverbial analogues to it. For illustration at the fourth dimension of the funeral or lying-in-state, 1 volition often reckon individuals, alongside their hands clasped on the top of their heads, declaiming: Ahia me o, aka menko o!—"I am left alone, I am cast away thirsty in addition to hungry!" Others may stretch their arms towards the deceased in addition to state: San bra—"Do come upward back!"; or they may simply extend arms in addition to exhibit fingers inwards a 'V' towards the deceased (collected inwards Kumasi 1988 in addition to Assamang 1992). There is a direct connectedness betwixt maxim in addition to gesture inwards these 2 cases piece other symbolic gestures volition live to a greater extent than open-ended. For illustration the gesture of the arms crossed over the breast alongside the hands resting on the shoulders may have got whatever of the next proverbial associations:

Mafo ma awo ade me—"I am moisture in addition to feeling cold"

Osu kese bi ato aboro me—"A swell pelting has fallen in addition to soaked me"

Mennya gya na m'ato bio—"I am forever deprived of the give the axe that warmed me"

There are a number of symbolic gestures inwards mutual utilisation which are also found sculpted inwards clay as private figures or attached to funerary clay pots known as abusua kuruwa. These pots are often embellished alongside symbolic motifs which have got cognates inwards the stamped motifs found on the diverse funerary cloths. Other objects demonstrate this vogue towards the visualization of maxim inwards stuff form. The good known goldweights, linguist's staffs, umbrella finials, as good as figural embellishments of swords in addition to stools human activeness as carriers of symbolic cast alongside associated proverbs or statements. As has been often noted, maxim in addition to visual symbol are ubiquitous inwards Akan art. They are the way whereby a statement of fact or regulation or a comment upon the human status is given visual cast in addition to context. It is through this unique alliance of verbal-visual elements that the Akan province the "concrete in addition to abstract" (McLeod 1976:9, reckon also Cole in addition to Ross 1977).

The thought of a verbal/visual/symbolic literacy emerges from the cultural nexus of Akan club inwards which all are to some grade versed inwards the proverbs, symbols, in addition to traditional lore of the society. Among the Akan, one's wisdom in addition to the powerfulness to acquaint an argument, debate inwards public or at court, or to give view upon whatever number is gauged past times the powerfulness to pull upon proverbs to back upward or create a case. This is often done past times literally stacking private in addition to dissimilar proverbs to create a point. The importance of the spoken word inwards a non-literate club allied to an powerfulness to pull upon the traditional wisdom of proverbial lore raises ordinary discourse to an elegant fine art cast of poetic dimension in addition to metaphorical subtlety.

When a maxim is supported past times a visual epitome its metaphorical pregnant is reinforced in addition to literally raised to some other flat of subtlety in addition to discourse. Inasmuch as the visual symbol tin only live identified through its associated maxim or verbal element, it assumes the powerfulness to apply the appropriate maxim to the particular situation. This procedure of interrelationship in addition to dependence is to convey the weight of traditional wisdom, law, in addition to precedent—characterized through an allusive construction of parallel metaphors—to address situations or circumstances which may non live addressed straight or are of likewise sensitive a nature for direct comment. Akans volition also seek to address sensitive issues obliquely through the utilisation of parables inwards speech communication or past times some mode of symbolic display, rather than human face them directly. 

For illustration when referring to the decease of a manlike mortal monarch 1 mightiness say: "The manlike mortal monarch has gone to his village," or "a mighty tree has fallen," or "he has fallen asleep" rather than province the fact straight (interviews alongside Okyeame Bafour Osei Akoto in addition to Okyeame Bafour Boasiako). Many adinkra stamps piece of work alongside the same procedure inasmuch as they volition acquaint the viewer alongside a symbol in addition to it is left to the viewer's knowledge in addition to sophistication to apply it to whatever number of possible circumstances. Visual symbols, as proverbs, are contextually directed inasmuch as they are perceived as a unmarried motif alongside the potential for interpretation on a number of levels. Therefore, when looking at an adinkra symbol 1 may live interpreting only the most obvious proverbial association in addition to missing a number of other symbolic allusions. This, however, also allows the chance for the viewer to interact alongside the stamped symbol in addition to to select the maxim or parable he thinks appropriate.

It is an everyday experience inwards Akan towns in addition to villages to reckon individuals going to or returning from a funeral wearing some cast of funerary cloth. The wearing of special raiment or funerary attire past times mourners during funeral ceremonies is an extension of the thought of communal participation through public display. Traditionally the wearing of colored funerary cloths known as ayitoma (funeral cloth) or akonini ntoma ("cloth for the strong heart") was coded to the cycle of the funeral in addition to would signal the human relationship of the mourner to the deceased in addition to their standing inside the theatre unit of measurement lineage (abusua).

These diverse cloths are described as follows: kuntunkuni, a deep russet-brown textile was customarily worn past times the abusua panyin (lineage elder) in addition to closed theatre unit of measurement members the first of all twenty-four hours after decease in addition to often through the burial. Traditionally kuntunkuni cloths are older cloths in addition to often frayed, inwards some instances previously stamped cloths which have got go unclean in addition to have got been redyed. As was stated: "The older in addition to to a greater extent than worn the textile the to a greater extent than it would signal their loss in addition to grief" (collected inwards Kumasi, 1988). Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 favorite textile for dyeing as kuntunkuni are old cocoa edible bean sacks which may bear some resemblance to the old bark textile (kyenkyen) which served as funerary dress. This was said to reverberate that 1 "had been 'made poor' or impoverished past times the loss of the theatre unit of measurement member." Dark scarlet or vermilion cloths (kobene) would live worn past times relatives, friends, in addition to neighbors during the funerals in addition to oft past times all mourners during later on memorial ceremonies. Today kobene is the most predominant textile visible at funerals. In some Asante areas of key Ghana, a dark blue-black textile known as birisi volition live worn past times the widow in addition to immediate theatre unit of measurement through the funeral in addition to subsequent memorial ceremonies held twoscore days after burial. For women this volition include the wearing of an upper garment inwards scarlet (dansekra) alongside a dark or dark skirt. Birisi may have got 2 levels of appearance, for it volition live worn at funerals as a unproblematic dark textile whereas at later on memorial ceremonies (ayie) it may appear stamped alongside symbolic motifs. These motifs, known as adinkra, also lend their scream to the cloths upon which they are stamped so that when 1 refers to adinkra it may non only refer to the private (stamped) motif but every bit to the textile which has been stamped. For elders of swell historic menstruum white cloths (fututum or tutum) volition live worn to celebrate their deaths.

Symbolic motifs had been traditionally stamped on the so called "dark cloths" known as kuntunkuni or birisi. The fact that dark symbolic images would live stamped on dark cloths may comment upon a flat of subtlety non yet perceived or fully understood past times the non-Akan observer as adinkra stamps alongside their specific identities are carried on a colored textile alongside broad collective associations. Adinkra images in addition to symbols pull upon the same symbol puddle found deeply fixed throughout Akan civilization in addition to expressed inwards all of their arts, permanent in addition to transitory. Adinkra symbols are a complex interplay of the visualization of proverbs, moral maxims, in addition to pop sayings. Some stamps are self-evident inwards their meanings through visual alliance to their associated parable or verbal analogy piece others are to a greater extent than removed in addition to often abstractly distant. Stamped adinkra images embody principles of behavior, in addition to contain homilies or maxims characterizing man's relationships inwards the human face of life's shortness in addition to unpredictability. They comment upon the theatre unit of measurement or the construction of club or refer to historical events. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 number of stamps tin live described as royal regalia inwards that they are conditionally reserved for utilisation as a element of statecraft. Certain adinkra stamps would live included as a chemical element of the king's ain royal regalia whose associated maxim would live associated to kingship.

Some stamps appear to a greater extent than often than others, some have got fallen out of favor, piece others, newly created, are added to the adinkra symbol puddle for their uniqueness of blueprint to which established proverbs are attached. Though sure older stamps may non live popularly used today they are non forgotten in addition to are as valued as stamps which are newer in addition to mayhap to a greater extent than evident. Many adinkra stamps depict commonplace objects that have got been given symbolic value applied to everyday experience or royal statement. Newly carved stamps comment upon political events of the past times in addition to acquaint piece others are created to serve a to a greater extent than fashionable merchandise alongside the growing social (non-funerary) wearing of adinkra cloths (known as kwasidae or Sun cloths). This add-on of novel stamps to the "symbol pool" in addition to the increasing utilisation of adinkra cloths for purely social occasions reflects the elasticity in addition to resilience of Akan fine art in addition to civilization inwards its powerfulness to run into the changing contemporary world piece drawing upon a heritage of tradition.

Adinkra stamped cloths are some of the earliest examples of textile fine art documented from all of West Africa. Thomas Bowdich, a British envoy to the King of the Asante inwards 1817, commented upon the wearing of "fetish" cloths or stamped adinkra textile piece residing inwards Kumasi. Sometime during the twelvemonth of 1817, he inwards fact commissioned an adinkra textile to live stamped for the collection of the British Museum inwards London where it is today (British Museum no. WA-22, reckon Bowdich 1819: 310). Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 few years later on inwards 1826, the resident Dutch governor of a fort on the Republic of Guinea Coast commissioned an adinkra textile to live made to live presented to the Dutch King. The textile was made as a traditionally stamped adinkra cloth; nevertheless an embellishment was added which included a rather crudely painted Royal Coat of Arms of the Royal House as a key device. This textile was originally presented to the Court inwards Kingdom of the Netherlands in addition to is at nowadays inwards the collection of the Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde, Leiden (#360-1700).

These dates of 1817 in addition to 1826 dot to a fully developed usage of adinkra, including a number of documented motifs soundless inwards utilisation today. The engagement of 1817, however, is at some variance alongside the traditional accounting of how the exercise of adinkra came to the Asante. Local oral histories province that the utilisation of adinkra came to Asante as a outcome of a state of war betwixt the kingdoms of Asante in addition to Gyman whose manlike mortal monarch was said to live wearing an adinkra textile when he was defeated in addition to killed sometime betwixt 1818-20. The defeated king's scream inwards fact was Kofi Adinkra in addition to 1 of the most famous adinkra symbols, known simply as adinkra, is said to have got been worn past times him. So according to local traditions, adinkra did non create it amid the Asante until after the state of war of 1818-20; nevertheless the textile collected past times Bowdich dates to 1817, thus predating the traditional engagement of its appearance. Recent plain piece of work suggests that this traditional oral history is taken to a greater extent than as an explanation of how the techniques of making adinkra came to Asante rather than the utilisation of the symbol-stamped textile itself. The techniques of textile stamping are said to have got been brought to Asante through the knowledge of the boy of King Adinkra who was also captured during this struggle in addition to today has a postage stamp named after him adinkra ba apau—"Adinkra's son" (Interviews alongside Nana Akwesi Mensa, Odikro of Asokwa in addition to Abanasehene Nana Asafo Agyi II). There have got been oral histories collected at Manhyia Palace inwards Kumasi which verbalise over the utilisation of adinkra textile at Court during the 1700s, so that it could live argued that the tradition was most belike inwards house sometime during this fourth dimension (Okyeame Bafour Osei Akoto in addition to Abanasehene Nana Asafo Agyi II).

Though primarily identified alongside funerary cloths, it is surprising that only a few adinkra symbols alongside their associated proverbs or aphorisms allude straight to death. These symbolic allusions may live direct or oblique depending upon the symbol or metaphor beingness addressed. An illustration of direct reference is the well-known "ladder of death": Owuo atwedee baako mmforo, obiara bewu—"All men volition climb the ladder of death." (The epitome of the ladder is also found worked on clay funerary pots, as good as on the bronze gilt dust containers in addition to on the bronze weights used inwards the weighing of gold.) There is a modern adinkra postage stamp which has the depiction of a skull on it alongside the associated statement: Owuo begya hwan—"Whom volition decease spare." Another illustration of the stamped skull has the phrase Owuo reckon fie—"Death breaks the house." Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 novel stamp, carved inwards 1992 past times Joseph Nsiah inwards Ntonso, has decease as its topic: Kotonkrowei da amansa kon mu—"If decease holds you lot past times the cervix for certain it volition send you lot away." It is only at nowadays coming into use.

Adinkra stamped symbols volition address the insecurities in addition to stresses of life alongside injunctions such as: Daben na me nsorama bepue—"When volition my star change!" or Atamfo atwa me ho ahyia— "My enemies surround me." Symbols volition set precepts for demeanour as good as recognizing private responsibility: Obra tese ahwehwe—"Life is similar a mirror (not only is it frail but it reflects one's character)." The good known epitome Sankofa—"the chicken looking over its back"—is an injunction to balanced in addition to responsible behavior. Proverbial admonition symbolically states repose in addition to peaceful intent through forms known inwards other uses as motifs for linguists' staffs or umbrella finials: Kosua—"The mitt belongings the egg" in addition to Ekaa akyekyedee nko a nka etuo nto kwae mu da—"Left to the tortoise lone at that spot volition non live whatever shoots inwards the forest." Adinkra symbols also reverberate the pragmatism of Akan club to right demeanour in addition to to live able to run into the demands of life's situations: Sesa wo suban—"Change your life" or Nkyinkyin—"Twisted patterns, changing oneself, beingness able to play many roles."

There is evidence to signal that the wearing of adinkra cloths was in 1 trial a "royal" prerogative in addition to that through a procedure non yet fully described adinkra came downward to the full general public during the tardily nineteenth in addition to early on twentieth centuries, becoming incorporated as an chemical element of full general Akan funerary usage (interviews alongside Okyeame Bafour Osei Akoto, Okyeame Bafour Anti Boasiako, Abanasehene Nana Asafo Agyi II, in addition to Nana Akwesi Mensa, Odikro of Asokwa). Stamped adinkra cloths are worn past times the King during the weekly sessions at Court when the province council, the Asanteman, meets on Mondays in addition to Thursdays in addition to when he holds public sittings on Saturdays. When meetings of the province council are inwards session at Manhyia Palace, members of the Asanteman have on dark cloths (birisi) which are often stamped. This reflects the seriousness of the meetings in addition to the responsibleness of those inwards attendance. Royal precedence is reflected inwards a protocol at the Court inwards Kumasi which forbids wearing the same adinkra symbol as the Asantehene when sitting inwards state. To do so would seem to live a challenge to the King leading to an awkward if non intolerable situation.

It is during these meetings that the King volition non only have on stamped adinkra cloths but, depending upon the gravity of the meeting, a textile calligraphically inscribed alongside suras or protective verses from the Koran: Nsumankwahene Nana Domfeh Gyeabor. This protective textile is also known as an adinkra symbol: Hyewo a enhye—"I burn downward but do non burn downward (it is fireproof, literally against others' magic)." Early utilisation of Islamic cloths comes from a description provided past times Dupuis when visiting Kumasi inwards 1820 as he records the King's wearing "a large white cotton fiber textile which partly covered his left shoulder, was studded all over alongside Standard Arabic writings inwards diverse colored inks, in addition to of a most vivid good formed color" (1824: 142).

If it is a coming together of extreme gravity to discuss, for example, the possibility of war, the King would have on a dark brownish kuntunkuni textile known as (A)pese Ntowma, which has twigs of the (A)pese tree stuck into it. The Chief Priest for Asante, the Nsumankwahene, stated that he had calligraphically inscribed cloths to have on for protection when he met alongside other priests. He also had a large umbrella (kyini) stamped alongside the adinkra symbols Etuo (Rifle) in addition to Afena (Crossed Swords) that was held over him at province functions to protect him. Another cloth, worn past times a royal inwards the expanse of Tewobaabi, has porcupine quills set inwards a blueprint pattern on a dark textile worn when "serious things are spoken of at the local court" (Nana Kwaku Dua II, Tewobaabi). He also commissioned cloths inscribed alongside Islamic calligraphy known as Nsebeon Ntowma from a local Moslem cleric inwards Ntonso. In fact he has started a store inwards which adinkra, inscribed cloths, in addition to Islamic amulets (suman or nsebe) are sold to a ready market.

Cloths inwards fact are chosen for the King to have on alongside particular emphasis upon the appropriate symbol for a specific occasion or ceremony as an aspect of polity in addition to statecraft. This selection is done past times the Abanasehene. These adinkra images would proclaim the strength or powerfulness of the King, in addition to thus of the kingdom, which would live seen in addition to understood past times visually in addition to proverbially literate viewers in addition to particularly past times those visiting the royal courts upon diplomatic missions. Adinkra symbols worn past times the King serve as visual validation of his potency in addition to claim to power. The symbol Aban—"The King's house"—worn at Court refers to the rock theatre built past times Osei Bonsu I (1802-23) in addition to has come upward to symbolize royal power, authority, in addition to wealth. The Aban was the first of all two-storey rock theatre inwards Kumasi in addition to became the repository for objects, gifts, in addition to the King's clothes under direction of the Abanasehene (Abanasehene Nana Asafo Agyi II). Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 number of the stamps debate the peaceful intent of the King, but also the powerfulness to run into whatever threat in 1 trial aroused. Allusion to nature is often metonymically at play inwards the utilisation of symbols on the king's textile when for illustration the adinkra symbol known as Okoto—"The Crab"—is stamped. The pregnant is that it is hard to pull a crab out of its hole, but in 1 trial out it fights alongside total commitment in addition to ferocity. The stamped symbol Obi nka bi—"I scandalize no 1 without provocation"—argues the King's inherent peacefulness. Once aroused, however, the King is to live highly feared as projected through the epitome of Odenkyam—"The Crocodile," worn during fourth dimension of state of war in addition to strife. The adinkra postage stamp of crossed swords, Afena, or of the king's rifle, Ohene Tuo, or of a sword in addition to rifle crossed are direct references to his might. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 number of symbols have got specific references to victories gained past times the King, the most good known beingness the adinkrahene—"Taken from the textile worn past times the defeated Gymanhene Kofi adinkra." It is also known as the "king of the adinkra stamps."

There are sure symbols which were traditionally reserved to the King. In the past times they included adinkrahene—"The manlike mortal monarch of stamps" in addition to Osono—"The Elephant"—among others. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 novel postage stamp carved inwards 1992 is coming into utilisation inwards the direct portrayal of royal regalia: Ohene Kyini—"The king's umbrella." This follows the utilisation of the province sword (Afena) as a chiefly symbol already inwards utilisation for some time. Data late collected records that each manlike mortal monarch would have got a postage stamp carved which was to province inwards graphic cast those attributes or characteristics he wished to live known past times in addition to which became identified to his reign (collected inwards Kumasi 1988, Asokwa 1992). These stamps are rarely worn publicly. One of these stamps indicates the strength, power, in addition to wiliness of the King: Osono tia afidie so a enhwan—"When the elephant steps on the trap it does non spring." This is an allusion to the thought that a swell man's troubles are dealt alongside so quietly that few are aware of it. It is thus apparent that when dealing alongside adinkra as a way of political discourse, visual in addition to proverbial wisdom are required to participate inwards in addition to fully understand a scheme of symbolic interchange of subtlety in addition to multilayered textures.

Historical anecdotes or observed situations are dependent plain for symbol in addition to metaphor. Gyau Atiko describes a particular style of pilus pattern used as an adinkra stamp. It is drawn from historical fact for it refers to an trial which occurred during the Gyman-Asante state of war when the Asantehene asked for the Bantama state of war leader, Gyau Atiko. The King was informed that Gyau Atiko had rushed so rapidly to battle that all that was seen was the dorsum of his head. Later Gyau Atiko wore this pattern of haircut during an adae ceremony. Not only did this signal his bravery but every bit his initiative. Another pop adinkra postage stamp often seen is Nkotimsefuopua—"The eagle's talons." It represented a blueprint cutting into the pilus of the immature girls who served the Queen Mother (Ahemaa) inwards her court. There is a corollary for this postage stamp relating to the servants of the Queen who are to exercise their duties in addition to "Don't speak back!" So the symbol is non only a badge of business office but every bit an injunction to send out their duties without question. This is extended to the full general population so that when a superior tells 1 to do something they are to do it without query or argument.

The diverse people of key Republic of Ghana today have got a marvelously developed scheme of visual symbolic communication associated alongside a rich oral tradition. However inwards the past times they were a club alongside no written language. There is thus some query as to the evolution in addition to incorporation of stamped graphic images amid the "non-writing" Akan. With this inwards heed the most commonly ascribed source for writing or the utilisation of graphic images on textile has been the Moslems of the northern portion of Ghana. Trade alongside the Islamized north, prior to in addition to after consolidation of the Asante state, carried alongside it Islamic civilization as good as goods. Trade routes to the due north which were travelled as early on as the fourteenth century grew into a complex network of interchange past times the fourth dimension of the consolidation of the Asante kingdom (Wilks 1971: 381). Major centers of merchandise became sources non only for goods but every bit for Islamic civilization, for the Moslems were active proselytizers of their faith in addition to disseminators of culture. By the eighteenth century Moslems were at the royal courtroom of the King inwards Kumasi as advisors in addition to tape keepers in addition to were involved inwards the merchandise in addition to politics of the Asante nation (see Wilks 1961, 1971). Under the Moslems the northern towns became major centers for the production of textile in addition to provided cloths to the Royal Court inwards Kumasi. There was also inwards Kumasi in addition to elsewhere brasswork from North Africa alongside Standard Arabic "kufic" script worked onto the surfaces into close abstract patterns (see Silverman 1985). Some of the blueprint patterns found on these bronze vessels tin live found inwards adinkra stamps.

The elegant shapes in addition to nearly abstract forms of Islamic calligraphy tin live appreciated for their purely graphic imagery. Literally the "words of God" from the hand-written Koran are appreciated as much for their sense of blueprint as their religiosity. Non-Moslem Akan incorporated verses (suras) from the Koran—either as magical or protective formulas—which would live written on modest pieces of paper in addition to often wrapped inwards leather to serve as amuletic packets, or the modest pieces of paper would live really tied to a man's gown. It becomes clear that what was of import to the illiterate viewer was the Islamic graphic epitome to which a pregnant would live given consistent alongside Akan beliefs in addition to principles. Therefore this belief inwards the "magic of the mark" as much as its textual pregnant perhaps led to the evolution of the utilisation of the stamped graphic epitome alongside an Akan subtext; the proverb: the maxim or homily.

Rod McLaren, also known as Nana Akwasi Amoako Agyemen, is dressed inwards traditional regalia for a funeral. After moving from Canada to Ghana, he was given the esteemed championship Nkosuohene. Picture supplied past times Rod LcLaren.

The spot held past times a number of writers regarding the source in addition to dominant influence upon the utilisation in addition to history of adinkra tin live best summed past times McLeod's statement that: "These adinkra cloths seem originally to have got been imported from the north, in addition to the patterns upon them may ultimately derive from Islamic writing" (1981: 150). There is back upward for this thesis in addition to the so called "northern connection" alongside Islamic civilization through the utilisation of adinkra stamps whose proverbs or associated saying are straight related to Moslems sources. These include the Nyansoa po—"Moslem's Knot of Wisdom," Nkrado—"The Moslem's Lock," Nsaa —"A Northern textile Pattern." There are a number of stamps whose blueprint is based upon Islamic sources alongside Akan proverbs assigned to them.

Cloths covered alongside Moslem script were worn inwards the past times in addition to proceed to live worn today past times priests in addition to royals for protection in addition to powerfulness in addition to to proclaim their faith inwards that powerfulness inwards a public manner. Moslem clerics proceed to write charms for the Asantehene today under direction of the Chief Priest of Asante (Abanasehene Nana Asafo Agyi II, July 16, 1992). Bravmann describes this repose of message alongside its visual carrier: "African aesthetic sensibility merges everywhere alongside the literary in addition to graphic potential of Islam, bringing a particular stability in addition to cast to God's words" (1983: 19). It is this capacity for giving the verbal statement visual cast that adinkra shares inwards regulation alongside Islamic forms. Yet it is of import to maintain a repose of the assimilated Moslem graphic images alongside Akan elements, for the imported Moslem forms were applied to already established Akan proverbs. Thus it tin live argued that adinkra motifs repose the verbal statement in addition to the visual epitome to characterize complex thoughts through unproblematic visual forms. It is an illustration of the powerfulness of the Asante/Akan to assimilate external influences in addition to make a hybrid that is to a greater extent than than the mere amount of the constituent elements.

The growing popularity of adinkra has evolved to the dot where the wearing of stamped cloths upon non-funerary occasions becomes a mutual experience. Stamped cloths may live worn at parties, social gatherings, or but for "show," or for going to church building on Sunday. This novel utilisation of adinkra has been given a name: when cloths are destined for social wear, they are at nowadays called kwasidae—"Sunday cloth." Increased utilisation of adinkra cloths has led to increasing credence of industrially produced manufacturing works life stamped cloths. They replicate traditional adinkra motifs in addition to symbols but are printed alongside commercial dye so that they do non fade in addition to tin live washed without losing the image. This social utilisation of adinkra has led to other changes, so today it is non uncommon to reckon non-traditional in addition to gaily-colored green, yellow, in addition to fifty-fifty plaid cloths beingness stamped. Fashion also appears to play an increasing novel role inwards the utilisation of adinkra cloth. Stamped funerary cloths are mainly worn past times men at funerals piece women have on the unstamped dansekra in addition to skirt (red top in addition to dark skirt). There has been an increased vogue over the in conclusion few years for women to have on tailored dresses made out of stamped adinkra or manufacturing works life stamped cloth. Here in 1 trial to a greater extent than the thought of the unity or identity of the abusua (matrilineage) is conveyed past times the wearing of a mutual symbol or motif, often tailored inwards a similar style of dress. Symbolic display, familial alliance, in addition to fashion are fused through novel senses of wearing clothing in addition to design. There is an additional interesting in addition to somewhat disquieting observation to live made inwards that as the wearing of adinkra cloths becomes to a greater extent than popular, those who have on them are unfamiliar alongside most of the symbols in addition to do non know most of the associated proverbs or sayings. Also as to a greater extent than textile is stamped for purely secular use, fewer of the textile stampers (who are increasingly immature men working part-time) know the associated proverbs in addition to 1 must in 1 trial to a greater extent than plow to the few elders for information.

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 number of late developed adinkra stamps address the number of decease straight in addition to inwards non-symbolic imagery as stamps have got been carved alongside "Western style" written texts inwards lieu of a stamped epitome to display the proverb. These novel textual adinkra stamps volition province inwards written form:

Owuo begya hwan—"Whom volition decease spare"

Omipa bewu sika te ase—"People volition buy the farm but coin volition live"

Asem pa asa—"Goodness has no rewards"

Nseu adgere yen—"We are flooded inwards tears"

The utilisation of a written text inwards house of the stamped epitome reflects the growing literacy in addition to comfort of the population alongside the written word as an adjunct to abstracted visual images of traditional usage. This transfer from the visual to the textual occurs inwards the transfer from symbolic motif to written text inwards the instance of the adinkra stamp: Ekaa nsee nkoa, the maxim being: "If it were left to nsee lone the tree would die." (The woodpecker (nsee) tin only live inwards the dead onyina tree where it hollows out its nest). Both a symbol in addition to text, it has the same pregnant but patently the cast of the maxim has changed. Unfortunately, as a number of recent interviews recorded (1988-1992), it also reflects the loss of what tin live described as an Akan symbolic literacy. As was observed past times a number of senior textile stampers in addition to carvers, "People go to schoolhouse in addition to they acquire how to read in addition to forget adinkra in addition to their meanings" (Joseph Nsiah in addition to Nana Kwasei Tawiah at Ntonso). The utilisation of western text for adinkra stamps dates at to the lowest degree to the 1940s if non earlier, when a factory-made textile was stamped alongside letters ABCD. Not only was it familiar to the literate purchaser, but, purchased inwards quantity, it would live worn past times women to funerals in addition to thereby signal their beingness members of the same family! The utilisation of text inwards adinkra reflects an interactive dynamic that allows postage stamp carvers in addition to textile stampers to exercise artistic imagination, as good as to answer to marketplace forces inwards a search for novel in addition to prominent images to create cloths to a greater extent than saleable.

Modern politics alongside parties, platforms, in addition to emblems also discovery a house inwards the evolution of adinkra symbols. During the first of all independent authorities inwards 1957, under Kwame Nkrumah, an adinkra postage stamp based upon a good known maxim became the Convention People's Party symbol. The symbol was of a rooster— Akokonini—and the associated maxim stated Akokoberee nim adekye na ohwe onini ano—"The hen knows the hours of the day, but it watches for the statement of them from the cock who has to crow." What meliorate metaphor for the leader of a political political party in addition to the nation! When a novel authorities came into powerfulness inwards 1969, an adinkra symbol was also carved to reverberate changing views: Owia apue esunu—"The Sun finally appears." But perhaps the experiences of the in conclusion decades have got tempered ambitions in addition to beliefs inwards promises alongside some cynicism, for the same adinkra symbol at nowadays is titled: Ebi te yie—"Some sit down better." During the run-up menstruum to the election of 1992, when political parties were forming, at that spot were numerous symbols appropriated from the corpus of adinkra motifs. Well known symbols such as the umbrella, elephant, eagle, in addition to the hen alongside her chicks served to give visual, graphic identity to novel political parties. They served to easily spot the political party through the utilisation of good known symbols in addition to associated proverbs in addition to to direct the non-literate inwards their back upward in addition to ultimately their vote.

Death symbols, proverbs, in addition to economic science tin interact, for when Republic of Ghana shifted over to driving on the right side of the route as opposed to the British scheme of driving on the left on August 4, 1974, it patently led to an extended menstruum of confusion as good as a substantial number of accidents. This Pb to a pop novel adinkra postage stamp known as: Steer (na) bekum driver—"It was the steering cycle which killed the driver." The accident charge per unit of measurement today is only slightly less, but the postage stamp is soundless inwards utilisation alongside a novel championship created past times the marketplace women to create the textile to a greater extent than saleable. It is at nowadays stylishly known as "Mercedes" or simply "Benz."

There was inwards the past times a large lighted sign inwards Kumasi for the United Africa Company, which was a pop house for people to run into in addition to verbalise inwards the evening. Sometime inwards the tardily 1950s a postage stamp carver inwards Asokwa drew upon this non-Akan but pop chemical element to serve as dependent plain for a postage stamp known as U.A.C. Kanea—"U.A.C. Light," literally "meet me under the U.A.C. Light." Other stamped symbols or iconic motifs used today include "Benz," the "VW" emblem, in addition to the radiator emblem of Bristol trucks. Bottles, flags, maps, advertising logos, majority covers, in addition to the symbol of the World Food Program which was taken off of a tin of tuna donated past times Japan, are at nowadays apt sources for adinkra stamps. This creation of novel stamps raises interesting questions of cultural dynamics as proverbs are either created or reassigned to serve the past times inwards coming together the present.

Yet at that spot are positive aspects to these novel appearances of adinkra as individuals seek to have on cloths which are portion of their heritage in addition to thereby maintain the tradition active inwards a novel domain of appearance. There are also novel adinkra symbols added to the corpus of known stamps that proceed the interplay betwixt the verbal statement in addition to the visual image. This attests to the dynamism of Akan club as they actively contain the arts of the past times to the present, changing appearance in addition to utilisation to make an fine art cast suited to its time.

Bibliography

Antubam. K.,

1963 Ghana's Heritage of Culture.

Atkins, J.,

1737 Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Voyage to Guinea, 2nd edition.

Bellis, J.,

1982 The 'place of the pots' inwards Akan Funerary Custom.

Bosman, W.,

1705 Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 New in addition to Accurate Description of the Coast of Guinea, Reprinted 1907

Bowdich, T. E.,

1819 Mission from Cape Coast to Ashantee, Republished 1966.

Bravmann, R.,

1974 Islam in addition to Tribal Art inwards West Africa.

1983 African Islam.

Cole, H. M. in addition to Ross, D. H.,

1977 The Arts of Ghana.

Cruickshank, B.,

1853 Eighteen Years on the Gold Coast, Reprinted 1966.

De Marees, P.,

1604 Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Description of the Golden Kingdom of Guinea. Translated Samuel Purchase inwards Purchase, His Pilgrims. Vol. 6, 1905.

Denteh, A. C.,

1975 "Ancient Burial Rituals of the Akan," Sankofa, no. 1.

Dupuis, J.,

1824 Journal of a Residence inwards Ashantee, Reprinted 1966.

Field, M. J.,

1948 Akim-Kotoko: An Sultanate of Oman of the Gold Coast.

MacDonald, G.,

1898 The Gold Coast—Past in addition to Present: Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Short Description of the Country in addition to the People, Reprinted 1966.

Mato, D.,

1987 Clothed inwards Symbol—The Art of adinkra amid the Akan of Ghana, Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Indiana University.

McLeod, M. D.,

1976 "Verbal Elements inwards West African Art," Quaderni inwards Poro, I.

1981 The Asante.

Nketia, J. H. K.,

1955 Funeral Dirges of the Akan People.

Rattray, R. S.,

1916 Ashanti Proverbs, Reprinted 1969.

1927 Religion in addition to Art inwards Ashanti, Reprinted 1969.

Silverman, R.,

1985 History, Art in addition to Assimilation: The Impact of Islam on Akan Material Culture., Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University of Washington.

Wilks, I.,

1961 The Northern Factor inwards Ashanti History, Legon.

1961 "The Northern Factor inwards Ashanti History: Begho in addition to the Mande," Journal of African History 2(1).

1971 "The Mossi in addition to the Akan States 1500-1800," History of West Africa. ed. thou .Crowder in addition to J. F. A. Ajayi.

1975 Asante inwards the Nineteenth Century.

Field interviews

Okyeame Nana Bafour Osei Akoto, Manhyia Palace, Kumasi, August 3, 1988.

Okyeame Nana Bafour Anti Boasiako, Manhyia Palace, Kumasi, August 2, 1988.

Nsumankwahene Nana Domfeh Gyeabor, Manhyia Palace, Kumasi, August 3, 1988.

Abanasehene Nana Asafo Agyi II, Manhyia Palace, Kumasi, July 16, 1992

Odikro (of Asokwa) Nana Kwasei Kroko, 1988, 1991, 1992.

Nana Kwaku Dua II, Tewobaabi, July 28, 1991

Nana Kwasei Tawiah, Ntonso, 1991, 1992.

Reverend Agyeman Duah, Kumasi, 1988, 1991, 1992.

Joseph Nsiah, at Ntonso, 1988, 1991, 1992.

Steven Appiah, Asokwa, 1982, 1988, 1991, 1992.

Kusi Kwame, Asokwa, 1982, 1988, 1991, 1992.

Appreciation to Dr. Steven Andoh, Secretary to the Asantehene, Manhyia Palace, Kumasi, for his assistance in addition to advice during this study.

Share this post