Adinkra Are Effective Communication Tools - Discuss

Each thing or object is identified by its unique features. It every culture exzists some characteristics that differentiates it from other ones. The Ghanaian culture is no different. Ghanaians for that matter Africans have various features which enables outsiders classify them as such. In Ghana, proverbs, folktales, folk songs, rituals, beliefs, customs and traditions make up these features.

The adinkra which is part of of our material aspect of culture entails a lot. Adinkra is an asante word which means ‘good bye'. It can be traced back to the early 19th century. History has it that, there was a war between two kings; adinkra king of Gyaman (now La cote d'Ivoire) attempted to copy the designs of the sacred ‘Golden stool' which signified unity. This attempt infuriated the Asantehene king Nana Osei Bonsu- Panyin. In the war, Adinkera was defeated and killed, his cloth was taken by the Asantes as a trophy and with this, the Asantes brought with them the art of stamping cloth.

Adinkra symbol means royalty and this is the basis of Adinkra. Originally, the cloth was worn by the royalty and the spiritual leaders for mourning during funerals however, it can now be worn by anyone for any occasion. Occasions such as outdooring ceremonies, marriage ceremonies, national events such as independence day celebrations witness portrayal of the different shades and styles of the Adinkra cloth.

In the making of the Adinkra symbols or patterns on the cloth, Adinkeru aduru (Adinkera medicine) is the stuff used. It is prepared by boiling the bark of Badie together with iron slag. This is gotten by cutting a stamp out of the thick skin of a calabash gourd. Originally, the printing was done on a cotton piece lying on the ground that is the stamp is dipped in dye, made from tree bark and then repeatedly pressed onto the cloth to create patterns.

Today, raised platforms with sack overings act as the printing table. The designs, cut on pieces