| Excerpts from "THE ADINKRA DICTIONARY" By W. Bruce Willis
ADINKRA is a special cloth worn during the funeral and at other funeral activities by the Akan people of Ghana, one of the larger ethnic groups of West African people. The cloth is hand-painted and hand-embroidered and is adorned with Akan, or adinkra symbols which are arranged in a specific manner to convey a parting message for the departing soul to take with him to the 'afterlife'. The transliteration of the word ADINKRA means, "a message one gives to another when departing." Adinkra symbols reflect traditional mores and specific communal values, codes of conduct and the social standards of the Akan people.
The symbols are stamped on varied-colored cloths and symbolize parables, aphorisms, proverbs, popular sayings, historical events, traits of animal behavior or shapes of inanimate or man-made objects. They are referred to as multi-layered which means they may have a variety of definitions and many different levels of interpretation. They convey deep philosophical messages about Akan social values and concepts of social behavior as well as reflect Akan common wisdom relating to the notion of God, quality of human relations, the spirituality and the inevitability of death. They tend to represent uplifting, motivating and character building attributes of an individual.
Adinkra is ever-evolving and it is constantly expanding. People may disagree on different levels about interpretations, but the basic definition and concept of the design in generally agreed upon.
Today there are over five hundred documented and identifiable symbols, but the total number of all adinkra symbols has not been accurately documented to date. Nevertheless, the core symbols are considered the basis of adinkra.
The following are but a few examples of the Adinkra Symbols:
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Nkyinkyin
(n-chin-chin)
Symbol of toughness, adaptability, selfless devotion, and ability to withstand hardships.
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Osram Ne Nsoroma
(o-srahmnay n-saor-row-mah)
Symbol of faithfulness, fondness, harmony, benevolence love, loyalty, and femininity. |
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Nsoroma
(n-soar-row-mah)
Symbol of faith and the belief in patronage and dependency on a supreme being. |
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Musuyidee
(mo-soo yee-day)
Symbol of spiritual balance, good fortune, good luck, sanctity, spiritual strength and the uprightness of spirit. |
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Akoma Ntoaso
(ah-ko-mah n-to-as-so)
Symbol of agreement, togetherness and unity in thought and in deed. |
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Nkonsonkonson
(corn-song-corn-song)
Symbol of unity, responsibility, interdependence, brotherhood and cooperation. |
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Funtummirekued Nky Mmireku
(fun-tum-me-rek-koo den-chim-me-rek-koo)
Symbol of unity in diversity, democracy or the oneness of the human family despite cultural differences and diversity. |
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Tabono
(tah-bow-no)
Symbol of strength, confidence, and persistence.
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Dwennimmen
(djwin-knee-mann)
Symbol of strength (in mind, body and soul), humanity wisdom and learning.
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Sunsum
(soon-soom)
Symbol of spirituality, spiritual purity and the cleanliness of the soul.
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Nyansapo
(n-yahn-sah-poh)
Symbol of wisdom, ingenuity, intelligence and patience.
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Sankofa
(sang-ko-fah)
Symbol of wisdom of learning from the past to build the future.
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Kwatakye Atiko
(kwa-tah-key ah-tee-ko)
Symbol of bravery or valor, a brave person or a valiant man. |
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Nkotimsefo Mpua
(n-ko-tem-seh-fee poo-ah)
Symbol of loyalty and a readiness to serve.
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