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Description

Large contemporary, commemorative textile with repeating pattern in the background of alternating Adinkra symbols. Along the top and bottom edge there is a band of repeating Adinkra symbols. The middle has a row of circular images depicting a seated man encircled by text. Above and below this row, there is a row of circular images of weapons, alternating with circular images of a porcupine on a stool. There is text within these circles. There is a label in the lower left corner from the manufacturer.

History Of Use

This red cloth was worn by mourners who attended the funeral of the late Ashanti King Otumfuo Opoku Ware II. Though King Otumfuo Opoku Ware II passed away in 1999, his funeral was held in 2001. In the Ashanti kingdom a funeral cannot be held until a new king has been chosen. The seat of the Ashanti kingdom is located in the city of Kumasi, north of the capital of Accra. The President of Ghana is often seen in the media paying his respects to the Ashanti King, who is a traditional leader in Ghana. Factory-printed cloth is a product of both African design and European technology. African people have worn this type of cloth for over 150 years. It was originally printed in factories in Europe and then marketed in Africa, but today most of the cloth is designed and printed in Africa.

Iconographic Meaning

The Adinkra symbols in the textile background are an alternate Sankofa design - meaning return and take what you have forgotten, and your mistakes can be fixed - and akoko nan tiaba na enkum - "a hen's feet are harmless to the chicks". The symbols along the top and bottom edges are Gye Nambe - “fearing none except God”; particularly God’s omnipotence and potential plan for the speaker. The weapons within the circles, through the middle of the textile, are Etuo Ne Akofena - “the gun and the sword” - or Ohene - “chief”: a chief will meet you fairly for he is protected by both. The porcupine and the stool depicted in the other circles through the middle of the textile are important symbols of the Ashanti kingdom. The stool symbolizes Ashanti royalty while the porcupine with its raised quills signals opponents to beware. The central portraits of the king are surrounded by bi nka bi - "no one should bite the other"; peace and harmony, justice and honesty united, and caution against provocation and strife. The king is wearing Anibere a enso egya - “seriousness is not seen in one’s appearance” - or Wodu nkwanta a gu - “you are leading me but I have lost sight of you, leave some indication you have passed this way”.

Item History

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