Akan Umbrella Top Symbols


	AKAN UMBRELLA FINIALS AKAN CULTURAL SYMBOLS PROJECT © G. F. Kojo Arthur and Robert Rowe - 1998-2001 WOOD CARVINGS ADWA-STOOL POMA-STAFF FURNITURE AND CARVED DOOR DOLLS/COMBS UMBRELLA FINIALS The umbrella is an important political emblem for Akan chiefs. The umbrella indicates who the king is among a gathering of people as reflected in the aphorism: Nea kyiniie si ne so na oye ohene - He who has a umbrella over his head is the king. The umbrella is a symbol of the protection the king is believed to provide for the nation. Fraser (1972) notes that "these huge objects are both practical sunshades and symbolic, quasi-architectural, space-defining forms that help express the chief's role as ruler." When the king dies, it is metaphorically said that "Nana has removed his umbrella, we be scorched to death by the sun - Nana atu ne kyiniie, awia na ebeku yen." The umbrella finial (kyiniie ntuatire) forms an integral part of the umbrella in communicating expressive messages about the chief to the public. The finial is carved out of wood and some are covered with gold leaf. The finial encodes aphorisms or proverbs the meanings of which are related to leadership. Umbrella finials are, therefore, cited as political emblems and indicators of chiefly status (Antubam, 1963; Cole and Ross, 1977). Umbrella made of adinkra cloth and with babadua finial Pictured at the National Museum, Accra, 1998 The *babadua* symbol is a very common umbrella finial. *Babadua* is of the bamboo species. It is highly valued for its strength and resilience as a building material. These qualities make the *babadua* an effective metaphor for the king and the state.
	ABROBE - PINEAPPLE Ghana National Museum Collection	ABROBE - PINEAPPLE

	AKYEKYEDEE NE NNWA - TORTOISE AND SNAILS Ghana National Museum Collection	AKYEKYEDEE NE NNWA - TORTOISE AND SNAILS Symbol of PEACE From the expression: Eka akyekyedee ne nwa nka etuo nnto wo wira mu. Literal translation: Left with the tortoise and the snail there would not be any gun shots in the forest.

	AKOBEN ne BABADUA; BOTIRE - WAR HORN and BABADUA, and ANIMAL'S HEAD Ghana National Museum Collection	AKOBEN ne BABADUA; BOTIRE - WAR HORN, BABADUA, and ANIMAL'S HEAD There are two finials in the picture on the left. The one labeled F is akoben ne babadua - war horn and babadua. Babadua is a specie of bamboo. It is used in constructing fences, the wattle frame and the roofing frame in the construction oh houses. Symbol of CALL TO ACTION, VOLUNTEERISM, AND MILITARY POWER The other one labeled E is botire - animal's head. From the proverb: Botire da nkwan mu a, ennyera. Literal translation: The head of an animal is never lost in a soup. Anybody of significance does not get lost in a crowd. Anything of importance stands out on its own merit
	Woso Owo Tiri Mu A Capturing the snake by the head	Woso owo tiri mu a, dea aka nyina ye ahoma. When you capture the snake by the head, the rest of it is mere thread.



	AKODAA NE OWO - A CHILD AND THE SNAKE Ghana National Museum Collection	AKODAA NE OWO - A CHILD AND THE SNAKE Symbol of INNOCENCE, HARMLESSNESS, IGNORANCE, and BEING UNTUTORED From the proverb: Akodaa na ohu owo a, ose eye ahoma. Literal translation: It is the untutored child who considers the snake as mere rope.

	SANKOFA - GO BACK AND RETRIEVE Ghana National Museum Collection	SANKOFA - GO BACK AND RETRIEVE Symbol of WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, and the PEOPLE'S HERITAGE From the aphorism: Se wo were fi na wosan kofa a, yenkyi. Literal translation: There is nothing wrong with learning from hindsight. The symbol is based on a mythical bird that flies forwards with its head turned backwards. This reflects the Akan belief that the past serves as a guide for planning the future, or the wisdom in learning from the past in order to build the future. The Akans believe that there must be movement with times but as the forward march proceeds, the gems must be picked from behind and carried forward on the match. In the Akan military system, this symbol signified the rearguard, the section on which the survival of the society and the defense of its heritage depended.

	BOTIRE - ANIMAL'S HEAD	BOTIRE - ANIMAL'S HEAD Symbol of IMPORTANCE and MERIT From the proverb: Botire da nkwan mu a, ennyera. Literal translation: The head of an animal is never lost in a soup. Anybody of significance does not get lost in a crowd. Anything of importance stands out on its own merit
	AYA - FERN	AYA - FERN Symbol of INDEPENDENCE, PERSEVERANCE, AUTONOMY, ENDURANCE, DEFIANCE AGAINST OPPRESSION, and RESOURCEFULNESS From the expression: *Mensuro wo. Literal translation: I am not afraid of you. I am independent of you. The aya* (fern) plant grows in very hardy conditions and the symbol reflects endurance and defiance of difficulties.

	PREKESE -	PEREKESE Symbol of STRONG LEADERSHIP and POWER From the expression: Perekese gyamadu, ofiti kurotia a, na ne ho bon afie mu. Literal: The strong aroma of the *perekese* precedes it into all households even when it is the outskirts of the town. The *perekese* is used here to represent the king. The king's authority and power is felt in all households in his kingdom. Perekese is used as spice in cooking. Its strong aroma is smelled from a far distance before one gets close to the food.

		NNUA NYINA BEPO AGYA ABE - ALL TREES WILL SHED THEIR LEAVES EXCEPT THE PALM TREE Symbol of RESILIENCE and PERMANENCE

	WOOD CARVINGS ADWA-STOOL POMA-STAFF FURNITURE AND CARVED DOOR DOLLS/COMBS UMBRELLA FINIALS








AKAN CULTURAL SYMBOLS PROJECT