Bambir

KOJO BAMBIR

WOOD CARVER

Kojo Bambir, from Ajumako Asaasan, Central Region, Ghana, started wood carving very early in live. He has been carving for about 40 years. Carving has always been a family undertaking. He carved with his two brothers who are now deceased. In the late 1950s, he and his two brothers opened their carving shop at Agona Swedru. It was here that he was commissioned to carve some works for the Ghana National Museum in Accra. He carved the Akan abusua poma (clan or family staff), which are part of the Museum's permanent display. It was such work that caught the attention of visitors to the Museum.
Early 1960 he was contacted by the world famous Ghanaian artist, Kofi Antubam to assist him in a major project the Ghana Government had assigned to Antubam. Antubam had been asked by the government to redesign the legislative chamber of the Parliament House to befit the republican form of government Ghana became on July 1, 1960. Antubam's assignment also included the creation of the Seat of State (in the traditional adwa - stool style), the Chair of State (in the traditional asipim style), the Ghana Mace.
Bambir's works have been given as gifts by the Ghana Government to foreign dignitaries that visit Ghana.
Bambir may be contacted at
P. O. Box 332
Achimota, Ghana
The workshop is to be found in the area of Achimota called Neoplan, near the Achimota Taxi Station on the Accra-Nsawam Road.

The following are examples of public works that Kojo Bambir assisted Kofi Anubam in carving. Antubam did the designing and Kojo Bambir and other wood carvers assisted in carving.

Ghana Mace	Seat of State	Chair of State
	Some of the designs on the front door to the Legislative Chamber of the Old Parliament House that Kojo Bambir assisted Kofi Antubam in carving

	EXAMPLES OF FAMILY STAFF (ABUSUA POMA) CARVED BY KOJO BAMBIR These are part of the permanent display at the Ghana National Museum, Accra
Anona Abusua Poma	Chair of State	Twidan Abusua Poma
Asinie Abusua Poma	Chair of State	Ekoona Abusua Poma

Examples of products from the Bambir and Sons Wood Carving Shop

A Wood carving of Africa	A son of Kojo Bambir showing a finished jewelry box that he carved	Let us Pray
Stool with the dwennimen symbol	Stool carved for the Nigerian Government	Coffee Table with Adinkra Symbol
Oware Game Board with Gye Nyame Symbol	A stool carving	A Stool carving
An apprentice carving a miniature stool	A Stool Carving with the Gye Nyame (Except God) Symbol	Jewel Box
Jewel Box with the Gye Nyame (Except God) Symbol	Chess Board	Asona Abusua Poma

Date last edited: 10/14/2009