In Ghana and Ivory Coast, the most prominent among traditional symbols are the Adinkra symbols. It must be stated emphatically that, the use of these symbols are not only circumscribed to the aforementioned nations, but to the whole of West Africa, Africa, and the world.
Historically, Adinkra symbols are believed to originate in Bono Gyaman. It was made or designed by Bonohene(also called Gyamanhene) Nana Kwadwo Agyeman Adinkra. Afterward, named these symbols after himself "Adinkra". Adinkra means "goodbye" or "farewell" in the Twi language.
The Adinkra symbols reflect religious, aesthetic, and cultural values. The symbols are extensively used in textiles, pottery, stools, umbrella tops, linguist staff, logos, advertising, etc.
The usage of these symbols firstly spread to Asante following Gyaman/Asante war in 1818, where Nana Kwadwo Agyeman Adinkra's son called Appau was captured and was forced to teach the Asantes the meaning and philosophy behind the symbols. The symbols continued to gain attention all over the various Akan kingdoms/states.
Bonohene currently lives in Ivory Coast.
In the pictures below are Bonohene Nana Adinkra in the 1940s, followed by another one at a later date, and a sample of the Adinkra symbols.
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