AKAN CULTURAL
SYMBOLS PROJECT
CRAFTS PEOPLE
Woodcarvers
| Craft Persons | Samples of Works |
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KOJO BAMBIR & SONS Bambir's works have been
given as gifts by the Ghana Government to foreign dignitaries that visit
Ghana. Click here to see some more examples of
public works that Kojo Bambir has worked on as well as some photos of work
from the Bambir and Sons Wood Carving Shop.
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ABURI GROUP OF CARVERS ABURI WOOD CARVERS
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GROUPS OF
CARVERS IN AND AROUND KUMASI
Another center of woodcarving is the village of Ahwiaa. Ahwiaa is one of the craft villages dotted around Kumasi. Ahwiaa is about three miles north of Kumasi on the Kumasi-Mampong Road. Ahwiaa has been the traditional centre of woodcarving for the Royal Ashanti over four hundred years. The main road is lined on both sides with small shops where carvers display their wares. The carvings include families of elephants, stools, elaborate masks, fertility dolls, and linguists' staffs the carvers here make it all, and are proud of their works.
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 A Carver at Ahwiaa
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Several
woodcarvers are dotted all over Kumasi and its environs. In Kumasi
itself, Anloga - between Ayigya and Asoka as one enters the city on the
Accra-Kumasi Road - is a very popular place for carvers and carpenters,
especially those who specialize in door carvings. Another spot for
carvers and dealers in royal regalia is at Manhyia on a street - Manhyia
Hdspital Road - one block away from the Asantehene's Palace. At Manhyia
is a carving shop of the descedants of Osei Bonsu, a master carver who
carved for at least three Asantehene in a span of about five decades.
There are carvers at the Cultural Center, a short walk from the Kejetia
Market, in the heart of Kumasi.
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Ajumako Asaasan Carvers The Ajumako Asaasan Carvers specialize in stools, dolls, sculpture
and curios. Asaasan is about two miles south of Ajumako, the district
capital. The School of Ghana Languages used to be at Ajumako. Other
neighboring villages that do wood carving are Owane, Ampia Ajumako and
Mando.
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Ajumako Kokoben Carvers The Ajumako Kokoben Carvers specialize in stools, masks, curios and sculptures. Kokoben is about 4 miles north of Ajumako, the district capital, on the Ajumako-Akim Oda road.
Contact Information
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Textile Producers
Adinkra Cloth Producers
Kwaku, adinkra cloth designer from Ntonso
Kwame Konadu, adinkra cloth
screen-print designer, Ntonso
Tel.: 233-20-761-3297
Kwadjo Appiah, adinkra designer from Asokwa, Kumasi
Sample of Appiah's work
Kontonkurowi - Rainbow
Kente Weavers
ASANTE KENTE WEAVERS
Master Weaver in Residence
Ekooba Gyasi
From Bonwire, Ghana
We are glad to announce that the Centre for
Indigenous Knowledge Systems - CEFIKS - has a master kente weaver,
Ekɔoba Gyasi,
in-residence in the USA. Ekɔoba Gyasi is a master weaver from Bonwire,
Asante. Mr. Gyasi has demonstrated, lectured and taught kente weaving in
schools in Ghana, and in schools and museums across the USA. He provides
demonstrations and workshops for schools and colleges and the general
public. For more information about how to get Mr. Gyasi to give
demonstration to your group or school, please contact
CEFIKS Publications,
3548
Cherry Hill Court,
Beltsville, MD 20705.
Telephone: 301-592-7615
E-mail contact:
Click here to submit online form
This section uses the Gentium font - which can be downloaded from the
Internet.
Rexford Anane, Bonwire,
near Kumasi
Contact Information
Rexford Anane
P. O. Box 10
Bonwire, Ashanti Region
Ghana
Tel.: 233-20-924-6372
Rexford and some few other weavers at Bonwire have revived the art of weaving kente with six heddles (asasia) and two sets of warp threads simultaneously (see the picture on the right that shows Rexford stretching out the two sets of warp threads - click on the picture to see the detail). This (asasia) technique of weaving was believed to be lost as the old weavers passed away. This technique is an innovation to be found only in Bonwire among the kente weavers of Ghana.
SAMPLES OF REXFORD ANANE'S ASASIA WEAVING
Puduo
Asasia ntomaban
Bonwire, Ashanti Region
Contact
Information
Bonwire Kente Enterprise
P. O. Box 7
Bonwire, Ashanti Region, Ghana
Tel: + 233-51-21803
Other Bonwire Weavers
Opanyin Yaw Berko
Samples of Work
By Tweneboa Kodua
High School and College Graduation Ceremonies and Kente
Kente Donning Ceremony - Marshall University - 2007
For more information about ordering and using kente for your graduation
ceremony or sorority/fraternity initiation ceremony contact:
Click here to submit online form
Ewe Kente Weavers, Volta Region, Ghana
The Gator Kente Weaving Industry is located at Agotime Agbenyinase Near C. E. P. S Academy, Kpetoe. The Gator Kente Weaving Industry is part of a cluster of weavers at Agotime Agbenyinase. The weavers in the cluster include the following:
Francisca Femanu
Agotime Abenyinase, Volta Region
Gator Gbogbo
Gator Kente Weaving Industry
P. O. Box 14
Kpetoe, Volta Region, Ghana
Tel. + 233-91-26189 or + 233-24-494-8823
E-mail: royalweaver@yahoo.com
Vivian Hallo
Agotime Abenyinase, Volta Region
Executive Officers of the Agotime Agbenyinase
Weavers Association - 2006
The late Mr.
Dawusu Amegbe
Master weaver,
Wheta, VR, Ghana
Samples of Work from Agotime
Abenyinase
Kente Weavers
Kente
incorporating map of the World. This was woven by Gator Gbogbo at Agotime
Abenyinase. (click on the picture for a detailed view)
Here is another of Gator's works called togogada
Wonkotineko woven by Brother John
This cloth is usually worn by a woman immediately after child delivery
Adomi Bridge woven by Brother John
BATIK, TIE & DYE AND SCREEN PRINTERS
Dela Mensah
Enyonam
Contact Information
DELNAM COLLECTIONS
Batik, Tie & Dye Cloth Designers
P. O. Box 13696, Accra, Ghana
Tel.: 233-24-366011
E-mail: delamensah@usa.net
Dela Mensah and Enyonam (pictures on the left) are two
fine
batik cloth designers from Ghana.
Metal Workers
Shadow Boxes
Heather Badger
"History, we all
know is a great way of learning about a former generations' toils and
foibles. This may make our path easier, that we don't make the same mistakes
over and over again. Progress then comes faster to us to create a
better lifestyle for the generations in which we find ourselves. It is also
a constant reminder about the wisdom of our African ancestry, which is a
source of great pride to me."
"It is my humble attempt to encapsulate this rich
heritage, a little bit at a time in these shadow boxes, so we can share our
rich culture with all those who care to learn."
Shadow Boxes
Contact Information
Adoofo House
23 Karl Quist Street
Kuku-Hill, Osu, Accra, Ghana
Tel.: 233-21-784018
Fax: 233-21-231868
E-mail: artamsons@idngh.com
Shadow Box
18 CARAT GOLD JEWEL (Earrings) from Ativity - The Art Haven
Afua Edusei, a jeweler, and samples of her work
CRUCIBLES JEWELRY
Crucibles Jewelry specializes in rings, earrings, necklaces, etc. At Crucibles pure gold is used in creating beautiful jewelry for all people and all occasions.
Afua Edusei
- Manager and Owner
Contact Information
CRUCIBLES JEWELLERY
Afua
Edusei
Crucibles Jewelry
P. O. Box OS 2597
Osu, Accra, Ghana
Tel. 233-21-244 106
E-mail: crucibles@hotmail.com
Afua's shop is based at Dzorwulu, on the highway between
37th Military Hospital and Achimota Junction in Accra, Ghana
18 carat gold earrings and pedant that is an example of the
work of Afia Edusei.
18 carat gold pendant
by Afia Edusei
Robert Adansi, a goldsmith and samples of his work
Robert Adansi (Goldsmith)
P. O. Box 8072
Kumasi
Tel.: 233-24-411-1906
233-24-459-5083
E-mail: usman@teleos-we.de
Mr.
Robert Adansi is a goldsmith whose works are in high demand by the
royalty as well as the common person. He has over 40 years of experience
making jewelry in gold. He specializes in royal regalia.
Samples of the Work of Robert Adansi
Gold Weights Metal Caster Kofi Dwumfour and samples of his work
Gold Weights Metal Caster
Kofi Dwumfour
Kofi Dwumfour
c/o National Cultural Centre
Kumasi, Ashanti Region
kofidwumfour@yahoo.com
If there is any one person who has helped keep the art of casting gold weights alive, that person is Kofi Dwumfour. Kofi is the resident metal (brass) caster at the National Cultural Center in Kumasi. He was born in 1964 and lived briefly in Abidjan, La Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), where his father worked as a blacksmith. When his family moved back to Ghana they settled in Krofrom. Krofrom, in the Kumasi suburb, is one of the crafts villages that are dotted around the Asante capital.
Just when Kofi started formal schooling at the local primary school, he was also apprenticed to Agya Ofori, a renowned metalcaster at Krofrom. Agya Ofori taught Kofi the cire perdue (lost wax) process of metal casting. Kofi learned to cast gold weights (abrammoo), masks and containers like "kuduo." After he graduated from the apprenticeship, he set up his own shop in another part of the town. He has been the resident metal caster at the National Cultural Center for about nine years.
Kofi's work is singularly important because it marks the transition between the art of yesterday and that of today. Kofi creates works which, though based on the traditionally accepted forms, have an air of modernity about them. He, for example, makes gold weighs with hooks on them so that they can be worn as lockets on neck chains.
Kofi's shop is at the National Cultural Centre, Kumasi.
Proverb gold weight by Kofi Dwemfour
Nea ɔretwa sa nnim
se n'ekyi akyea
The trailblazer is not aware of how crooked the trail is behind
him/her.
Nsuo ntɔ ngyae na
yekɔsɔ nsuo
One does not collect water after it has stopped raining.
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Stores and Shops in The United States of America |
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| Kobos Afrikan Clothiers 2444 18th Street, N. W. Washington, DC 20009 Tel.: 202-332-9580 |
Kobos Afrikan
Clothiers is Washington D.C.'s home for traditional and contemporary
Afrikan clothing and accessories. They bring you the best out of
Afrika, and they have created an atmosphere that encourages learning
about the peoples, cultures, and the rich heritage of Afrika. Kobos
offers the best line of traditional and contemporary Afrikan
clothing for women. If the occasion calls for a traditional look,
then choose from their selection of richly embroidered gowns,
three-piece grand boubous, or the kaba and skirt.
Kobos also
carries the best selection of traditional and contemporary Afrikan
clothes for men. Their traditional line features a wide range
including two-piece pant sets, beautifully embroidered grand bubas
and colourful dashikis. Their contemporary line responds to the
needs of today's man who wants to wear Afrikan clothing on a more
regular or casual basis. This line features a wide variety of tops,
vests, jackets, pants, coats, work clothes, and more. They use a
wide variety of fabrics and color tones to meet the different tastes
of their patrons. |
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Kuaba Gallery 876 Massachusetts Ave Indianapolis, IN 46204 Tel: 317-955-8405 |
Kuaba specializes in contemporary African art including painting, wood, metal, and Shona stone sculpture, as well as ceramics. The gallery also offers workshops. Kuaba showcases hundreds of unique pieces representative of Africa's rich artistic heritage. Open Tue-Sat, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (until 8:00 PM on Fri-Sat), Indiana time. I |
| African Stargina
African Stargina
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| African Loom African
Loom |
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