Adinkra Symbolism

Tradition has it that Adinkra, a famous king of Gyaman (now Ivory Coast), angered the Asantehene, BonsuPanin, by trying to copy the Golden Stool. Adinkra was defeated and slain in an ensuing war. It has been
suggested that the art of Adinkra came from Gyaman. It is also significant that Adinkra means farewell or
good-bye, hence the use of the special cloth on funeral occasions (ayie), to say good-bye to the departed.
"Adinkra aduru" (Adinkra Medicine), the stuff used in the stamping process, is prepared by boiling the bark
of "Badie" together with iron slags. Originally the printing was done on the cotton piece lying on the ground.
Today raised platforms with sack covering act as the printing table. The designs, cut on pieces of Calibash
with pieces of wood attached for handling, are dipped into the stuff, then stamped onto the cloth. Adinkra
cloths are not meant to be washed.
1. Gye Nyame (accept
God). Symbol of the
omnipotence and
immortality of God.

2. "Funtimfunafu
3. Odenkyem da nsuo
denkyemfunafu, won
mu, nso onnhome nsuo,
afru bom, nso woredidi a
ohome mframa. The
na woreko." Sharing of
crocodile lives in water;
one stomach yet they fight over food. yet it breaths air not water.
4. Bi-nnka-bi.
5. Osrane (Moon).
6. Kramo bone amma
Obi nnka obi
"Osrane mmfiti preko
yeannhu kramo pa. We
(bite not one another).
nntware man" It takes the
cannot tell the good from
moon some time to go
the bad because of
round the nation.
pretence and hypocrisy.
7. Nsaa (a kind of
8. Fofoo.
9. Adinkrahene
blanket).
Se die fofoo pe ne se
(Adinkra king). Chef of
"Nea onim nsaa na oto
gyinantwi abo bidie.
all the Adinkra designs,
n'ago."
What the fofoo plant wants
forms the basis of
The one who knows the 'Nsaa'
is that the gyinantwi seeds should
Adinkra printing.
blanket is willing to buy one even turn black. Symbol of jealousy.
when it is old.
10. Dwannimmen
11.
12. Hye wonnhye (he
(Ram's horn). "Dwannini
Mpuannum(Nkotimsofo
who burns be not
ye asisie a, ode n'akorana
Puaa).
burned)
na ennye ne mben."
Five tufts of hair. A
Symbol of forgiveness It is the heart and not the horns
traditionally fashionable hair style. turn the other cheek.
that leadas a ram to bully.
(Concealment).
13. Nkonsonkonson
14. Owuo atwedie, baako
15. Sepow: (Knife used
(link or chain)
mmfo (obiara bewu).
in executions).
We are all linked in both
All men shall climb the
This is thrust through the
life and death. Those
ladder of death.
victim's cheeks to
who share common, blood
prevent his invoking a curse on the
relations never break apart.
king.
Symbol of human relations.
16. Gyawu atiko.This is
17. Sankofa (return and
18. Kra pa.
said to be the design
take it)
(Mmusuyide). Good
shaved by Gyawu, a
"Se wo were fi na wosan
fortune, sanctity.
once Bantamahene
kofa a yennkyi."
"Kra pa te se okra; okyiri

It is no taboo to return and fetch it

when you forget. You can always
undo your mistakes.
19. Flhankra (the
20. Nyame nnwu na
circular house or
mawu.
complete house). This
(If Nyame - God - dies
signifies safety or
then I may die).
security in a home.
Perpetual existence.
22. Akoma (The heart).
23. Biribi wo soro.
"Nya akoma" (take
"Nyame, biribi wo soro na
heart) and take patience.
ma embeka me nsa."
Symbol of patience and
(God, if there is something
endurance.
in the heavens, let it reach me.) A
symbol of hope.

fi." Sanctity, like a cat abhors filth.

Symbol of sanctity and good
fortune.
21. Ohene aniwa (in the
King's eye).
The King has lots of
eyes and nothing is
hidden from him.
24. Nsoromma (child of
the heavens); Star. "Oba
Nyankonsoromma te
Nyame na onnte ne ho
so."
Child of God - his illumination is a
reflection of God's.
27. Aya (the fern).
This word also means 'I
am not afraid of you.'
A symbol of defiance.

25. Krado - Mmara

26. Kodee mmowerewa
krado.
(the talons of the eagle).
(Seal of law and order).
This is also said to be
Symbolising the
shaved on the heads of
authority of the court.
some court attendants.
28. Osrane ne
29. Nyamedua (an alter to
30. Nhwimu (crossing).
nsoromma (moon and
the sky God). Alter - place
The divisions done onto
star). A symbol of
of worship.
the plain cloth before the
faithfulness.
stamping is done.
31. Mframadan (wind
32. Aban (fence).
33. "Ani bera a, ennso
house).
Representing fenced
gya, anka m'ani abere
House built to stand
homes. A protector.
koo."
windy and treacherous
Double security. Safe and
Seriouseness does not
conditions.
sound. Fool-proof.
show firey eyes, else you would
see my face all read.
34. Ohene tuo (the
35. Ako-ben (war horn).
36.Nkyinkylm
King's gun). Defender
Another significant version
(Ohemmaa nnkylnkyln).
and protector of the
of the war horn which
Changing oneself;
King.
symbolises the call to
playing many roles.
arms.
37. Wawa aba (the seed
38. Kuntinkantan (do not
39. Ntesie - mate masle.
of the wawa tree). Wawa
boast). There is need for
I have heard and kept it.
is a hardwood used in
humility and service.
"Nyansa bun mu ne mate
carving hence its
masle." Symbol of
significance in Akan culture.
wisdom and knowledge.
40. "Akoko nan tia ba,
41. Epa (handcuffs). "Onii
42. Another version of
na ennkum ba." (The
a ne pa da wo nsa no, na
Adinkrahene. Unlike No.
hen treads upon its
n'akoa ne wo."
9, this one is used as a
chicken but it does not
You are the slave of him
symbol in itself for
kill them).
whose handcuffs you wear.
printing.
43. Nnonnowa
44. Duafe (the wooden
45. Kontire ne Akwam
(Ahoma). Also called
comb). One of the very
(elders of the state).
"donno ntoaso" (the
few representational forms
"Tikoro mmpam" (one

double donno drum). This is more in Adinkra patterns.

head does not constitute a
symbolic than representational.
council).
46. Mmara Krado (seal
47. Owo foro adobe
48. Ako-ben (war horn).
of the law). Symbolising
(snake climbing the palm
The sound of akoben is a
supreme authority.
tree). Performing the
battle cry, hence it
unusual or the impossible.
symbolises a call to
arms.
49. Sunsum (Soul).
50. Bese saka (a bunch of
51. Tabon (paddle).
Some Akans believe that
colanuts). Bese (colanut) is
Paddles are more
the soul of a ruler
the favorite of the Northern
common with the coastal
inhabits a younger
tribes.
tribes.
courtier.
52. Pa gya (to strike fire
53. Donno (drum). This is
54. Akoma ntoaso. A
or make fire). This is
more like the donno drum
symbol of agreement or
said to represent war.
than does design No. 43.
a charter.
55. Another version of
symbol No. 2. Need for
unity particularly where
there is one destiny.

56. Ese ne takrema (the

teeth and the toung).
"Wonnwo ba ne se." We
improve and advance.

58. Another "Sankofa"

design (it could be a
broken piece from the
original design No. 17).

59. Dame-dame (a drafts

game). A more
traditionally popular
gameis the "Oware."

57. Afena (a state

ceremonial sword).
"Akofena kunini ko a,
wobo a fena kye no
safohene."
The retiring great warrior always
has a royal sword of rest.
Recognition of gallantry.
60. Pempamsie (that
which will not crush).
"Pempamsie se, bebrebe
ahooden ne koroye."
Unity is strength.

Artists Alliance Gallery, Omanye House, Accra-Tema Road, P.O. Box 718, Teshie-Nungua, Accra, Ghana,
Tel/Fax 233 21 712350