Adinkra Stamp

Item number 3561/8 a-c from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Adinkra stamp of the 'Akofena' (ceremonial sword) design, carved info a piece of calabash gourd. Parts b-c are two sticks from the handle (normally would be four). The gourd stamp (part a) has a deeply carved design of two crossed swords, with the blades curving across the top, the tips of the handles at the bottom corners. The back surface has four small holes for sticks.

History Of Use

Adinkra stamps are used for printing designs on cloth (e.g., K2.455). The stamps are dipped in adinkra aduru, an ink prepared by boiling chunks of iron slag and bark from the Bridelia ferruginea tree, locally called Badie, into a thick paste that is liquefied before use. The cloth is stamped at local workshops.