By Tobi Onifade

A few years ago I came across a picture of a beautiful packaging design for a Ghanaian chocolate brand. It was made up of lovely colours (according to their different flavours) and symbols. The symbols caught my attention, and as I researched further I found out that they were Adinkra symbols.

Photo Courtesy of Divine Chocolate Website

Adinkra symbols are believed to have their origin from Gyaman, a former kingdom in today’s Côte D’Ivoire. There’s a lot of history with regards to the name and origin but Adinkra means ‘goodbye’ or ‘farewell’ in Twi, the language of the Akan ethnic group. Traditionally, the Akans, especially the Asante like to wear clothing decorated with Adinkra symbols on important occasions like funerals of family relations and friends. This is to signify their sorrow and to bid farewell to the deceased.

Looking at the symbols, one can see how beautiful and decorative it is especially when arranged together but its appeal is not in the aesthetics but in its depth, as the symbols signify various themes that relate to the history, beliefs and philosophy of the Asante. The symbols mostly have proverbial meanings since proverbs play an important role in the Asante culture.  Some of the symbols also depict historical events, human behaviour and attitudes, animal behaviour, plant life forms and shapes of objects. For instance this symbol:

It’s called Denkyem also known as “Crocodile” This symbolizes ‘adaptability’ as the crocodile is known to live in water but also be dependent on air. Or this symbol:

Known as ADINKRAHENE, which is also the chief of Adinkra symbols. It means greatness, charisma and leadership.

These days, Adinkra symbols have moved on from being a funeral cloth to be a cultural phenomenon. It has gone on to inspire beautiful package designs, tattoo templates, accessories, architecture and more.

For more information, visit:

http://www.adinkra.org/htmls/adinkra_index.htm

http://angelasancartier.net/adinkra-cloth

http://www.eclectickyeiessa.com/2016/08/adinkra-abokes3m-3na-3mu-asekyer3.html