Adinkra Symbols - Afrii Diaspora Dialogue

The adinkra symbols are originated and designed through the handiwork and tireless effort of Gyaman hene NanaNana means “Grandmother” in Twi (Akan) language. Kwadwo Agyemang Adinkra of Gyaman people who originated from the Akan, Bono people of modern-day Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

Aban: “Fortress (or Castle)”; Strength, Seat of power, Authority, Magnificence
Abe Dua: “Palm tree”; A symbol of wealth, resourcefulness, and self-sufficiency
Abusua Pa: “Good Family”; A symbol that represents the strong bond shared by family members
Adinkrahene: “Chief of Adinkra Symbols”; Greatness, Charisma, Leadership
Adwo: “Calmness”; A symbol of peace, tranquility, and quiet
Agyindawuru: “”; Faithfulness, Alertness, Dutifullness
Akoben: “War Horn”; A symbol of a call to action; Readiness, Vigilance, Wariness
Akofena: “Sword of War”; Courage, Valor
Akoko Nan: “The Leg of a Hen”; Mercy, Nurturing
Akoma: “The Heart”; Patience, Tolerance
Akoma Ntoso: “Linked Hearts”; Understanding, Agreement
Ananse Ntontan: “Spider's Web”; Wisdom, Creativity
Ani Bere Enso Gya: “”; A symbol of patience, self-containment, self-discipline, and self-control
Anyi Me Aye A: “If You Will Not Praise Me”; This symbol warns against ingratitude and disrespect.
Asaawa: “Sweet Berry”; A symbol of pleasure, sweetness and tenderness
Asase Ye Duru: “The Earth has weight”; Divinity Of Mother Earth
Asetena Pa: “Good Living”; Affluent, Prosperity
Awurade Baatanfo: “God the Mother”; A symbol that denotes nurturing and other motherlike nature of God to his people.
Aya: “Fern”; Endurance, Resourcefulness
Bese Saka: “Sack of cola nuts”; Affluence, Abundance, Unity
Bi Nka Bi: “No one should bite the other”; Peace, Harmony
Boa Me Na Me Mmoa Wo: “Help me and let me help you”; Cooperation, Interdependence
Boafo Ye Na: “Willing Helper”; This symbol exemplifies concerned individuals who are passionate about helping out one another.
Dame-Dame: Name of a Board Game “Chequered”; Intelligence, Ingenuity
Denkyem: “Crocodile”; Adaptability, Ceverness
Dono: “”; Sppellation, Parise, Goodwill, Rhythm
Dono Ntoaso: “”; A symbol of united action, communication and jubliation.
Duafe: “Wooden Comb”; Beauty, Hygiene, Feminine Qualities; A symbol of feminine consideration or good feminine qualities such as patience, prudence, fondness, love, and care.
Dwennimmen: “Ram's Horns”; Humility, Strength
Eban: “Fence”; Love, Safety, Security
Epa: “Handcuffs”; Law, Justice, Slavery; A symbol of captivity and slavery.
Ese Ne Tekrema: “The Teeth And The Tongue”; Friendship, Interdependence
Esono Anantam: “Elephant’s Footprint”; This symbol signifies leadership, power and protective nature of the elephant.
Fafanto: “Butterfly”; Tenderness, Gentleness; A symbol of tenderness, gentleness, honesty, and fragility.
Fawohodie: “Independence”; Independence, Freedom, Emancipation
Fihankra: “House / Compound”; Security, Safety; A symbol of brotherhood, safety, security, completeness, and solidarity.
Fofo: “A Yellow-Flowered Plant”; Jealousy, Envy; A symbole of warning against jealousy and covetousness.
Funtunfunefu Denkyemfunefu: “Siamese Crocodiles”; Democracy, Unity In Diversity; A symbol of democracy and cooperation.
Gye Nyame: “Except for God”; Supremacy Of God; Expresses the omnipotence and supremacy of God.
Gye Wani: “Enjoy Yourself”; This symbol represents fun, dance, and merry making.
Hwe Mu Dua: “Measuring Stick”; Examination, Quality Control; Represents best quality or quality control.
Hye Won Hye: “What Which Cannot Be Burnt”; Imperishability, Endurance; Represents forgiveness, endurance, abd imperishability.
Kete Pa: “Good Bed”; Good Marriage
Kintinkantan: “Puffed up extravagance”; Arrogance, Extravagance; A symbol of arrogance and pompous.
Kokuromotie: “Thumb”; PArticipation, Cooperation; A symbol of participation or cooperation in what is happening.
Kramo Bone Amma Yeanhu Kramo Pa: “”; Represents warning against deception and hypocrisy.
Kuronti Ne Akwamu: “”; Democracy, Sharing Ideas, and Taking Counsel
Kwatakye Atiko: “Hairstyle Of Kwatakye, A War Hero”; Bravery, Valor
Kyemfere: “Potsherds”; Knowledge, Rarity, Heritage; A symbol that represents knowledge, experience, rarity, heritage, and heirloom.
Mako: “Pepper”; Inequality; A symbol of inequality and uneven development.
Mate Masie: “What I hear, I keep”; Wisdom, Knowledge, Prudence
Me Ware Wo: “I shall marry you”; Commitment, Perseverance
Mekyia Wo: “I salute you”; Respect, Recognition; A symbol of respect, recognition, and greeting.
Menso Wo Kenten: “”; Self-Reliance, Economic Self-Determination; A symbol of industry, self-reliance, and economic self-determination.
Mframadan: “Wind-resistant house”; Fortitude, Preparedness; Depicts a well-ventilated, wind-resistant house, fortitude, and ability to confront and manage change.
Mmere Dane: “Time changes”; Change, Life's Dynamics
Mmusuyidee: “That which removes ill luck”; Good Fortune, Sanctity; A symbol of good fortune, sanctity, and spirtual strength.
Mo No Yo: “Congratulations”; Recognition, Praise
Mpatapo: “Knot of reconciliation”; Peacemaking, Reconciliation, Forgiveness
Mpuannum: “Five tufts”; Priestly Office, Loyalty, Adroitness
Mrammuo: “Crossing Paths”; Symbolizes life’s challenges.
Nante Yie: “Goodbye”; A symbol of farewell and leave.
Nea Onnim: “He who does not know can know from learning”; Knowledge, Life-Long Education; Derived from the Akan proverb, Nea Onnim No Sua A Ohu, which translates to “He who does not know can know from learning”
Nea Ope Se Obedi Hene: “He who wants to be king”; Service, Leadership
Nkonsonkonson: “Chain links”; Unity, Human Relations, Comunity; A symbol of unity, community, strength and human relations
Nkotimsefo Mpua: “The hair style of court attendants”; Service, Loyalty, Adroitness, and Readiness to serve
Nkrabea: “Destiny”; Destiny, Fate
Nkyimu: “Tree of god”; Skillfulness, Precision
Nkyinkyim: “Twisted”; Initiative, Dynamism, Versatility; Represents the tortous nature of life’s journey. It is derived from the Akan proverb, Obra kwan ye nkyinkyimii, which translates to “The path of life is a twist”.
Nnampo Pa Baanu: “Two Good Friends”; Friendship, Fellowship, Interdependence
Nokore: “Truth”; A symbol meant to inspire truthfulness in people.
Nsaa: A type of woven cloth; Excellence, Genuineness, Authenticity; Derived from the Akan proverb Nea onnim nsaa na oto n’ago, which translates to “he who does not know quality”.
Nserewa: “Cowry Shells”; Abundance, Wealth, Affluence
Nsoromma: “Child of the heavens”; Guardianship, Faith, Dependency; Derived from the Akan word for “star”. It literally translates to “child of the heavens”. It is a symbol of faith, the belief in patronage, and dependency on a supreme being.
Nteasee: “”; Cooperation, Understanding, Harmony
Nya Gyidie: “Have Faith”; Faith, Hope
Nyame Biribi Wo Soro: “God is in the heavens”; Hope, Inspiration
Nyame Dua: “Chain links”; God's Protection And Presence
Nyame Nnwu Na Mawu: “God never dies, therefore I cannot die”; Immortality of the human soul, faith in God to preserve one’s soul
Nyame Nti: “By God's grace”; Faith, Trust In God
Nyame Ye Ohene: “God is King”; Majesty / Supremacy Of God
Nyansapo: “Wisdom knot”; Wisdom, Ingenuity, Intelligence, Patience
Obohemmaa: “Diamond”; Preciousness, Treasure, Rarity
Odo Nnyew Fie Kwan: “Love never loses its way home”; Power of love
Okodee Mmowere: “Talons of the eagle”; Bravery, Strength, Power
Okuafo Pa: “Good farmer”; Diligence, Hard work, Entrepreneurship
Onyankopon Adom Nti Biribiara Beye Yie: “By God's grace, all will be well”; Hope, Providence, Faith
Osram Ne Nsoromma: “The moon and the star”; Love, Faithfulness, Harmony; Symbolizes the significance of love, bonding and faithfulness in marriage.
Owo Foro Adobe: “Snake climbing the raffia tree”; Steadfastness, Prudence, Diligence
Owuo Atwedee: “The ladder of death”; Mortality of man; This symbol is derived from the Akan proverb, Owuo atwedee baakofoo moforo, which translates to “Dealth’s ladder is not climbed by just one person”.
Pempamsie: “Sew in readiness”; Readiness, Steadfastness, Hardiness, Strength of unity
Sankofa: “Go back and get it”
Sepow: “Executioner’s knife”; Authority, Justice
Sesa Wo Suban: “Change your behavior”; Transformation, Personal reflection
Som Onyankopon: “Worship God”; Devotion, the supremacy God
Sunsum: “Soul”; The human spirit
Tabono: “Oars”; Strength, Persistence, Hard work, Unity of purpose
Tamfo Bebre: “The enemy will stew in his own juice”; Ill will, Jealousy, Envy; Derived from the Akan phrase Otanfo Bebre, which literally means “an enemy will suffer”.
Uac Nkanea: “UAC lights”; Technological advancement
Wawa Aba: “Seed of the wawa tree”; Hardiness, Toughness, Perseverance
Woforo Dua Pa A: “When you climb a good tree”; Support, Cooperation, Encouragement; Derived from the Akan proverb, Woforo dua pa a na yepia wo, which translates to “it is when you climb a good tree that we give you a push”.
Wo Nsa Da Mu: “if your hands are in the dish”; Democracy, Pluralism, Inclusion, Participatory goverance; Derived from the Akan proverb, Wo nsa da mu a, wonni nnya wo, which translates to “if your hands are in the dish, people do not eat everything and leave you nothing”.

References

Graham, Y., & Hagan, K. (2022). Adinkra Icons. Retrieved from Adinkra Icons: ‹https://www.adinkraicons.dev/›
McDonald, J. (2004). Adinkra Index. Retrieved from West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings: ‹http://adinkra.org/›

References

Related Articles

Responses