For those of you who don’t know, Ghana is a very diverse country within itself. With 10 regions, 75 ethnic groups, and over 200 known languages. That being said, there is one group that historically has been the dominant force in this area of West Africa. That is the Akan people and more specifically the Ashanti. The Ashanti were known as being warriors and have conserved their culture throughout the centuries. One of their more famous contributions to western Africa in general is the Adinkra symbols. These painted or embroidered symbols each have very personal meanings and can be applied to any sense of life. They are found throughout Ghana on buildings, clothing and even cars. I would like to share just a few of them and how you can apply them into your life.
Gye Nyame
Meaning: “Except for God”
This symbol is probably the most widely seen of the Adinkra symbols. Ghanaians in particular are known to be an extremely religious people. However, whatever your personal beliefs are on God and religion in general I think that everyone can use this symbol in their lives. It means that there is something bigger than you in this world. Maybe what is bigger than you is your God or perhaps it is your family. Whatever it is, it is nice to have something to believe in even if it is a belief in yourself.
Akofena
Meaning: “Sword of war”
This symbol is a representative of courage and heroism. It is a constant reminder to protect yourself and stand up for what you believe in. In a time when it seems like everyone is out to get us it is important to be brave in your own way. Bravery doesn’t always take shape in the act of slaying a lion or saving a damsel in distress. Often it is the small acts of kindness that take the most courage. Stand up for someone being teased, voice your opinions without apology or stop ignorance in its tracks.
Ananse Ntontan
Meaning: “Spider’s web”
The word “ananse” might sound familiar if you ever read any of the Ananse the Spider fables. This symbol means wisdom and complexity in life. If you’ve ever seen a spider’s web before you will see how beautifully spun and complicated it is. And in that way it can be a representative of life. Life is an intricate web of decisions and mistakes. And the web that you weave is what you live with. That doesn’t mean there is need to fear. It is just important to remember that your web is your own and to learn from your mistakes and try harder next time.
Asase Ye Duru
Meaning: “The Earth has weight”
Asase Ye Duru is the symbol of the divinity of Mother Earth. With ecological problems on the rise it is more crucial than ever before to take care of this planet that we inhabit. Respect the beauty of nature and try your best to keep it that way. Whatever small steps you can take to own the responsibility to sustaining and maintaining this place in which we live you should do so. As of right now we only have Earth on which to live so we better make sure that it is here to stay.
Aya
Meaning: “Fern”
The fern is a plant that can grow even in the most tumultuous of places. Aya is a symbol that shows endurance through tough times. All of us will face adversity in our lives. It is an inevitable truth that it won’t always be smooth sailing. So like the fern, we have to be resourceful and be able to grow despite whatever obstacles are thrown our way.
Boa Me Na Me Mmoa Wo
Meaning: “Help me and let me help you”
This is the symbol of cooperation and interdependence. As much as we may think we can be entirely independent and don’t need to rely on anyone else we all need someone to lean on occasionally. What this symbol stresses is the collaboration between two. It isn’t trying to help someone in one direction but the two helping each other equally. As the saying goes “treat others as you would like to be treated.”
Ese Ne Tekrema
Meaning: “The teeth and the tongue”
This is the symbol of friendship. Although the teeth and the tongue play different roles within the mouth they work together to achieve a common goal. Friends can be like this too. The best relationships of all types are often between people who are different from one another. We are all unique and sometimes that can lead to conflict. But it is essential to try and live like the teeth and the tongue independently, but also as one.
Mate Masie
Meaning: “What I hear, I keep”
The phrase “Mate Masie” literally “I understand”. There is often a trend of speaking without listening. We are often in a rush and don’t seek to gain knowledge from those who are around us. However, when you stop to actually hear what someone is saying you can learn not only what they mean, but it might even impact your life. So keep in mind those things that you hear because you never know what it can teach you.
Sankofa
Meaning: "Return and get it"
Sankofa is a symbol of remembering and learning from the past. The bird is looking toward its back which is representative of seeing its own past. We have to learn from what we have done in order not to repeat them. This symbol is prominent in Ghana especially in the sense of remembering the slave trade that took place here into the 1800s. They want to remember what happened and be able to move on from here.
Nea Onnim No Sua A Ohu
Meaning: “He who does not know can know form learning”
This symbol is of life-long education. People think that when they stop attending school they are done with their learning process. That is so far from the truth. Life is about experiencing new things, growing from your mistakes and accepting the fact that you probably won’t ever know everything. Be open to being uncomfortable with the inevitable certainty that you’ll be some sort of student for the rest of your life.
It has been so interesting for me to see how although Ghanaian culture is vastly different from what I am used to, many of our core values are the same. These Adinkra symbols speak to the fact that no matter how far you go humanity will always have things in common. I know that I personally have learned so much from this trip and from these symbols in particular and I know that I’ll continue to remember them throughout my life.
