The Imported Ghanaian
history . . .
the abridged version, 1957 onwards
Of the many versions of Adinkra history, this one is my favourite. During the 19th Century, there was a war between Adinkera, king of Gyaman (now La Cote d'ivoire) and the Asantehene, nana Osei Bonsu-Panyin, the Ashanti king.
The war came about when king Adinkera tried to copy the designs of the sacred Ashanti Golden Stool. Pure sacrilege!!
Of course, the angered Asantehene had to go to war and as is to be expected, king Adinkera was defeated and killed for his efforts.
The cloth he wore in battle was taken by the Asantehene as a trophy.
With the cloth, the Asante learnt the art of stamping cloth.
Adinkra symbols are named after king Adinkera.
The word Adinkra means farewell. So the wearing of the mourning cloth is a way for people to say goodbye to those who have been summons by the Hallelujah chorus.
Ancestors are held in high esteem in Ghana, therefore, you will see some of the most exquisite examples of Adinkra cloth at funerals.
Each adinkra symbol has a name as well as a proverb associated with it. Every adinkra symbol has a meaning which are words of wisdom reflecting the philosophy, religious beliefs, social values and political history of our people, though most of us would be hard pushed to explain much of it to any visitor. Here are a few of my favourites for your viewing pleasure.
Thank goodness for the Internet.
Adinkra symbols
Until MARCH 6TH 1957, our beloved Ghana was known as the Gold Coast.
That is, until we got independence from English colonists who had more than overstayed their welcome.
Ghana was the first sub-Saharan country to gain independence and became the example for other Africans to follow.
Very soon after, 'Indepence Fever' began to sweep across the continent.
In 1960, Ghana became a republic with Osagefuo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as the first president. Unfortunately, he fell out of favour and was overthrown by the military in 1966 while on a trip to China.
The military, still new to this 'coup' thing, put in a transitional government until Dr. Kofi Busia was elected in 1969.
It didn't take long for 'coup-d'etat fever' to take full grip - the military were learning - and once again the military, led by Lt. Col. Ignatius Acheampong snatched power in 1971. He became famous, amongst other things, for implementing 'Operation Feed Yourself,' for Ghana
to become self sufficient.
He was forced to leave power in 1978 and replaced by Lt. Gen. Fedrick Akuffo, who for his efforts lasted barely a year when the military, once again, led by Flight Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, attempted an unsuccessful coup in 1979. Some say he voluntarily handed power back to a civilian government.
Dr. Hilla Limann obviously didn't live up to expectations because not long after, he was ousted, again, by Flight Lt. Jerry John Rawlings in 1981.
Ghana finally returned to civil rule in 1992 with Rawlings winning the elections on the National Democratic Congress ticket (NDC).
President Rawlings stayed in power until 2000 when fed up Ghanaians voted for a change of government.
The New Patriotic Party, led by John Agyekum Kufuor stayed in power until Jan 7th 2009, when Ghanaians having renamed them 'The Non Performing Party' said, 'enough is enough!'
Our New President, John Evans Atta Mills won for the NDC party. Let's see what he has to offer.
a few facts
Capital: Accra
Location: Ghana is located along the west coast of Africa, with Ivory Coast to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east and the Gulf of Guinea to the south.
Population: About 23 million
Major Languages: English (Off.), Akan, Ewe, Ga, Hausa.
Regions: 10
Currency: New Ghana Cedi - $1 = GHC1.51 (200511)
National Anthem: "God bless our homeland Ghana."
Time: GMT
National Dish: Fufu (pounded cooked cassava, plantain or yam, served with soup.)
GYE NYAME - "Except God" - The symbol of the omnipotence and the omnipresence of God.
“This great panorama of creation dates back to time immemorial; no one lives who saw its beginning and no one will live to see its end, except God.”
The most popular Adinkra symbol.
SANKOFA - "Return and get it" - The symbol of the importance of learning from the past to build for the future.
“It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.”
DENKYEM - "Crocodile" - The symbol of adaptability.
“The crocodile lives in the water, yet breathes the air, demonstrating an ability to adapt to circumstances.”
The words of wisdom of this Adinkra symbol is crucial for all those coming to Ghana.
FUNTUNFUNEFU-DENKYEMFUNEFU - "Siamese crocodiles" - The symbol of democracy and unity.
“The Siamese crocodiles share one stomach, yet they fight over food. This popular symbol is a remind that infighting and tribalism is harmful to all who engage in it.”
SESA WO SUBAN - "Transform your character " - The symbol of life transformation.
This symbol combines two separate adinkra symbols, the "Morning Star" which can mean a new start to the day, placed inside the wheel, representing rotation or independent movement.
FAWOHODIE - "Independence " - The symbol of independence, freedom, emancipation.
"Independence comes with its responsibilities."
Most of Ghana's and Africa's history has been passed on through the generations orally, therefore, morals, values and lessons have been preserved in the form of proverbs. Proverbs may express an eternal truth, a warning against foolish acts or a guide to good behaviour.
A child who asks questions does not become a fool.
Knowledge is like a baobab tree; no one can encompass it with their hands.
Let not what you cannot do tear you from what you can do.
You must act as if it is impossible to fail.
The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people.
Two men in a burning house must not stop to argue.
Do not follow the path. Go where there is no path to begin a trail.
If you are on the road to nowhere, find another road.
When you are sitting in your own house, you don’t learn anything. You must get out of your house to learn.
It is a child who has never traveled who says that only his mother prepares tasty meals.
If you’ve not been on someone else’s farm, you cannot say that you’re the only true farmer.
Nobody can prepare for the harmattan* (dry season) by drinking plenty of water.
No one tests the depth of the river with both feet.
Money is sharper than a sword.
Fire and gunpowder do not sleep together.
Hate has no medicine.
Fire and gunpowder do not sleep together.
What is bad luck for one man is good luck for another.
Rain wets a leopard's skin, but it does not wash out the spots.
proverbs
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