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AKOMA
"The Heart"
Symbol of patience and tolerance
According to Agbo, when a person is said to "have a heart in his stomach," that person is very tolerant.
EPA
"handcuffs"
symbol of law and justice, slavery and captivity
Adolph Agbo, in "Values of Adinkra Symbols" notes that handcuffs were introduced in Africa as a result of the slave trade, and later became popular among chiefs in cuffing offenders of the law. "The symbol reminds offenders of the uncompromising nature of the law. It however discourages all forms of slavery."
West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings
ODO NNYEW FIE KWAN or ODO NYIRA WO FIE KWAN SU
"Love never loses its way home"
Symbol of the power of Love
West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings
NKYIMU
"The crossed divisions made on adinkra cloth before stamping"
Symbol of skillfulness, precision
Before adinkra cloth is stamped with the symbols, the artisan blocks off the cloth with lines in a rectangular grid using a broad-tooth comb. This preparation is symbolic of the exacting technique which results in the highest quality product.
Source: adinkra.org
West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings
KETE PA
"good bed "
Symbol of a good marriage
From the expression that a woman who has a good marriage is said to sleep on a good bed.
Source: adinkra.org
West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings
KWATAKYE ATIKO
"hair style of an Asante war captain"
Symbol of bravery and valor.
"This symbols is said to be a special hair style of Kwatakye, a war captain of old Asante.
The symbol has come to represent bravery and fearlessness. It is also given as an earned title to any brave son of an Akan community."
Source: adinkra.org
West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings
NYAME YE OHENE
"God is King "
Symbol of majesty and supremacy of God.
Source: adinkra.org
West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings
WOFORO DUA PA A
"when you climb a good tree"
Symbol of support, cooperation and encouragement.
From the expression "Woforo dua pa a, na yepia wo" meaning "When you climb a good tree, you are given a push". More metaphorically, it means that when you work for a good cause, you will get support.
Source: adinkra.org
West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings
ESE NE TEKREMA ("the teeth and the tongue")
Symbol of friendship and interdependence
The teeth and the tongue play interdependent roles in the mouth. They may come into conflict, but they need to work together.
Source: adinkra.org
West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings
NEA OPE SE OBEDI HENE ("he who wants to be king")
Symbol of service and leadership.
From the expression "Nea ope se obedi hene daakye no, firi ase sue som ansa" meaning "He who wants to be king in the future must first learn to serve."
Source: adinkra.org
West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings
BESE SAKA ("sack of cola nuts")
Symbol of affluence, power, abundance, plenty, togetherness and unity.
The cola nut played an important role in the economic life of Ghana. A widely-used cash crop, it is closely associated with affluence and abundance. This symbol also represents the role of agriculture and trade in bringing peoples together.
Source: adinkra.org
West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings
MPATAPO ("knot of pacification/reconciliation")
Symbol of reconciliation, peacemaking and pacification
Mpatapo represents the bond or knot that binds parties in a dispute to a peaceful, harmonious reconciliation. It is a symbol of peacemaking after strife.
Source: adinkra.org
West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings
NYAME BIRIBI WO SORO ("God is in the heavens")
Symbol of hope:
A reminder that God's dwelling place is in the heaven, where he can listen to all prayers.
Source: adinkra.org
Inspired by Jacques Maes and _ _ _ _ _
14 March – 13 September 2015
30 October 2015 – 21 February 2016
22 March – 31 July 2016
