The Adinkra dictionary: A visual primer on the language of Adinkra

by W. Bruce Willis

Adinkra is the name given the colorful, hand-painted and hand- embroided cloth used for mourning by the Akan people of Ghana and Cote D Ivore. Stylistic symbols called adinkra symbols are printed on these cloths. The cloth and symbols express the wearer s feeling and sentiment about the deceased. The symbols convey a parting message to that individual. When a person wears this type of clothing, one knows that the person is in mourning.

Genres: Art, Africa

314 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Juna · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have two adinkra tattoos on my back


one of sankofa
sankofa is named after and visually is meant to resemble the sankofa bird which when preening itself cranes its neck backward. sankofa means "go back and get it (again)". the social/practical application: sometimes you must go back or look back, learn from your past, perhaps even those harsh realities and unpleasant obstacles and memories we often attempt to blot out or ignore altogether, in order to move successfully into the future


one of akoben
akoben is 'the war horn', the carved rams horn, which when blown signals the arrival of the enemy, the call to arms, 'the battle cry'. the social/practical application: akoben is the constant personal reminder to be vigilant in our efforts to achieve our goals, the demand for willingness to fight relentlessly if need be to see them come into fruition. akoben signifies the importance of readiness at all times in anticipation of 'the call for action'. last but most definitely not least, it is a reminder to be wary, a cautionary symbol, for the enemy, disguised as an ally, may be closer than you think

[Jala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love adinkra symbols and this book not only gave the meanings but also offered historical and tribal context of how they were made and are used. I also enjoyed the brief history of Twi and Ghana