Akoben
Meaning: The word ‘Akoben’ literally describes a horn that was blown by Ashantis to summon warriors, alert people, and prepare for battle.
Symbolizes: vigilance, wariness
Origin: The word is derived from the term aben and it means animal horn.
Spiritual meaning: Akoben symbolizes devotion, loyalty and service. Each person has a unique role in the social construction of justice (Black 2011).
Meaning in today’s society: It calls for citizens to be vigilant about their community. To take action and get involved, participate and create a good place for their families and friends.
Environmental meaning: The Akoben adinkra symbol has been adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency in Ghana for an environmental performance rating and disclosure initiative for mining and manufacturing operations (Adom et al. 2018). This symbol calls the citizens to be alert and prepare for action and defend their communities. In this instance the symbol is utilized to call for environmental action, to be vigilant and be ready to defend their territory and follow through with environmental initiatives the country has put in place.
Black, Helen. 2011. From zero to eighty: Two African amerian men’s narrative of racism, suffering, survival and transformation. iUniverse Press.
Adom, Dickson, Opuku, Moses, Newton, P. Jerry, and Yeboah, Akwasi. 2018. “Adinkra Cultural Symbols for Environmental Sustainability Education in Ghana”. World Environment, 8(2): 36-46
Aya
Meaning: Fern. Fern are plants that are very resilient and can live in a variety of habitats and soil types. They can reproduce fast as well.
Symbolizes: symbol of endurance and resourcefulness.
Origin: The word Aya has its origin in the Arab language in which it means miracle.
Spiritual meaning: Ferns have been attributed many mystical powers and are subject of many folklore tales in different cultures. Spiritually, Aya represents the faith in ourselves that drives us to continue forth despite our struggles. It is the will inside each person not to allow adversity to destroy them. As one continues in the path without giving up, the difficulties will become smaller. It is the courage not only to survive but to strive.
Meaning in today’s society: They represent individuals or societies that despite the many adversities in life have been resilient and have continued on to overcome difficulties. It represents an individual or society that will prevail.
Environmental meaning: Countries must maintain the buoyancy and resilience of their environment and its resources to withstand future supply challenges (Adom et al. 2018).
Adom, Dickson, Opuku, Moses, Newton, P. Jerry, and Yeboah, Akwasi. 2018. “Adinkra Cultural Symbols for Environmental Sustainability Education in Ghana”. World Environment, 8(2): 36-46
Bese Saka
Meaning: It means a sack of cola nuts.
Symbolizes: Economic well being, wealth, affluence, richness, abundance. It also means unity and togetherness.
Origin: The cola nut was utilized by the Ghana society as a form of currency. This crop is a cash crop that plays a significant role in the economy of the country. The Cola nut trade brought about economic well-being and high standard of living, especially for the Ashanti Kingdom and also among people who traded in it. Cola nut is chewed by people for its medicinal value, stimulating effect, and its ability to keep people awake (Kuwornu-Adjaotoor et al. 2015).
Spiritual meaning: Togetherness and unity mean that everyone is bound in a group. The unity of the community is the strength citizens need to overcome obstacles. If everyone works for the same goal the community will form a force that will be difficult to break.
Meaning in today’s society: Because the cola nuts are inside a pod, they are seen as a symbol of unity and togetherness. In today’s society it translates to working in unity to achieve abundance and success in our community.
Environmental meaning: This Symbol educates the society in order to combat environmental crisis there is a need for all the individuals in a society to work together in unity. This envisions that economic progress can be achieved through sustainable practices if everyone worked together (Adom et al. 2018). This symbol has also been associated with sustainable agricultural practices since it suggests that people should work together on the land.
Kuwornu-Adjaotoor, J.E.T., Appiah, George, and Nartey, Melvin. 2015. The philosophy
Adom, Dickson, Opuku, Moses, Newton, P. Jerry, and Yeboah, Akwasi. 2018. “Adinkra Cultural Symbols for Environmental Sustainability Education in Ghana”. World Environment, 8(2): 36-46
Duafe
Meaning: Duafe literally means a wooden comb. Known also as “african pic”.
Symbolizes: Cleanliness and beauty and desirable feminine qualities.
Origin: This word is in Twi, which is one of the dialects spoken in Ghana. The wooden comb was a prized possession of the African women to comb and adorn their hair. It was a very important part of self grooming. They were usually gifted to the women by a male member of the family to commemorate an important event in their lives (Cosgrove 2019).
Spiritual meaning: The spiritual meaning of Duafe is purity and holiness. We need to be pure in order to have absence of stains, and therefore, society stays free from corruption.
Meaning in today’s society: Freedom from immorality in our society constitutes freedom from inappropriate elements in our community. Our leaders must show transparency in their acts in order to benefit everyone. Cleaning of the bad elements in our community.
Environmental meaning: The symbol reminds societal members to maintain the clean state of the environment by engaging in environmental friendly activities (Adom et al. 2018). It reminds us to work to be free from anything that contaminates or pollutes our environment.
Cosgrove, Adenike. 2019. Duafe (Comb). ÌMÒDÁRA.com.
Adom, Dickson, Opuku, Moses, Newton, P. Jerry, and Yeboah, Akwasi. 2018. “Adinkra Cultural Symbols for Environmental Sustainability Education in Ghana”. World Environment, 8(2): 36-46
Gye Nyame
Meaning: Except for God.
Symbolizes: The immortality of God. This symbol is the most used in Ghana and signifies the deep religious character and faith of its people. If you look closely at the symbol you can see it shows a person inside of a hand. It is a picture of how we are held in the hand of God (1).
Origin: Twi language, one of the three dialects spoken in Ghana. This symbol shows a belief in Onyame which translated means God.
Spiritual meaning: There are many sayings used with this symbol such as: Nyame nwu na mawu, which translates into “God will not die for me to die.” This signifies the immortality of God and his power. Another saying is Worepe asem aka akyere Onyame a, ka kyere mframa, which means “if you want to say something to God say it to the wind” (2) and signifies that God is everywhere.
Meaning in today’s society: We are all created equal, and as equals we must learn to work together to benefit our society. The importance of communion, which means participation, and communication, from every person in a society is crucial in order to bring everyone together and achieve.
Environmental meaning: It reminds us to take care of the earth and all of its creatures because it is part of a wonderful creation. It reminds us to respect it and preserve it as best as possible for future generations to enjoy as well.
(1) http://blog.africaimports.com/wordpress/2009/02/the-gye-nyame-symbol-a-piece-of-african- history/
(2) http://www.adinkrasymbols.org/symbols/gye-nyame
Nkonsonkonson
Meaning: Chain link
Symbolizes: Community unity
Origin: The origin of the word is from the Twi dialect in Ghana.
Spiritual meaning: The spiritual meaning of community signifies how everyone is and how everyone acts with each other. Is about the connection between human beings that are part of the same universe. Every individual is different, yet everyone contributes their special talents to the benefit of the whole, making the relationship between humans interdependent of each other.
Meaning in today’s society: A reminder that everyone has to contribute to society, everyone’s input is important because there is strength in numbers. Unity gives people strength and courage to assure people’s survival and resilience. Unity is the key to building a strong society in which each member thrives.
Environmental meaning: The ‘Nkonsonkonson’ adinkra symbol educates members of the society to always join their communities and/or taking the lead roles in environmentally friendly activities to enhance the condition of the environment and its resources (Adom et al. 2018).
Adom, Dickson, Opuku, Moses, Newton, P. Jerry, and Yeboah, Akwasi. 2018. “Adinkra Cultural Symbols for Environmental Sustainability Education in Ghana”. World Environment, 8(2): 36-46
Nkyinkyim
Meaning: Literal meaning is twists and turns.
Symbolizes: Initiative, dynamism, versatility, prudence, balance, and vigilance. The twists and turns in life.
Origin: The word is from the Twi dialect in Ghana.
Spiritual meaning: The Akan proverb associated with this symbol is Ɔbra ne wo ara wo bɔ, which means “Life is what you make of it”. Despite all the twists and turns in life, one should make the best out of every situation and continue to dynamically survive.
Meaning in today’s society: There is a need for us to experiment and learn various skills to help us succeed in various economic heats, a situation that marks the world we live in today (Adom et al. 2016).
Environmental meaning: It educates societal members to change their unwarranted attitudes that have destroyed the environment and its resources. It is an assurance to societies with bad environmental state that they can improve the condition for the better by engaging in environmentally friendly activities. They must also sensitize the public through environmental sustainability education (Adom et al. 2018)
Adom, Dickson, Asante Appau, and Kquofi, Steve. 2016. “Adinkra: An Epitome of Asante Philosophy and History”. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences. Vol. 6, N0.14.
Adom, Dickson, Opuku, Moses, Newton, P. Jerry, and Yeboah, Akwasi. 2018. “Adinkra Cultural Symbols for Environmental Sustainability Education in Ghana”. World Environment, 8(2): 36-46
Obi Nka Bi
Meaning: Bite not one another
Symbolizes: Do not offend one another.
Origin: A Twi word of the Akan people from Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. The literal translation is “bite not one another”
Spiritual meaning: Unity and oneness toward environmental sustainability. The symbol signifies peace and harmony that should exist between humans. It also portrays the peaceful co- existence that is expected to exist between human beings, the environment and its resources. Ensuring peaceful co-existence between humans and nature while living in harmony with nature is the main significance of this symbol.
Meaning in today’s society: It cautions people not to be prejudice against others. Not to look down on people.
Environmental meaning: The environment and its resources are the inheritance of all members of society. If cared for, we all benefit immeasurably. Conversely, if we wantonly destroy it, natural reprisals from our negative actions will befall us all. That is the philosophy in the Obi nka bi. We need to all come together collectively against negative activities such as illegal mining, deforestation and so on (3).
(3) Adinkra Cultural Symbols for Environmental Sustainability … (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325450947_Adinkra_Cultural_Symbols_for_Environm ental_Sustainability_Education_in_Ghana
Ohene Tuo
Meaning: The king’s gun
Symbolizes: Martial capabilities and defense.
Origin: Literally translated is “ohene,” a king or a chief, and “tuo” means gun.
Spiritual meaning: The Ohene Tuo Adinkra cultural symbol signifies warding off and fighting against enemy attacks.
Meaning in today’s society: This symbol reminds traditional authorities and the ministries in charge of the environment on the need to perform their assigned duties in the society regarding the environment, including sanctioning and punishing defaulters of environmental defiance.
Environmental meaning: The symbol is a cautionary message to all enemies of the environment that they would face punishments imposed by the traditional authorities and/or the government. The symbol is a reminder to all perpetrators of negative environmental activities that they would never go unpunished. Resilient punishment for offenders of environmental degradation is warranted under this symbol (3).
(3) Adinkra Cultural Symbols for Environmental Sustainability … (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325450947_Adinkra_Cultural_Symbols_for_Environm ental_Sustainability_Education_in_Ghana
Pempamsie
Meaning: Preparedness and foresight
Symbolizes: This symbol calls for the need to exhibit foresight and precautionary abilities in preparedness for any unforeseen eventualities.
Origin: Literal translation is “sew in readiness”
Spiritual meaning: This calls for the need to exhibit foresight and precautionary abilities in preparedness for any mishaps.
Meaning in today’s society: This symbol reminds governments and society members to always sustain the environment and its resources. It educates us on the importance of societal preparedness for the future through the engagement in environmental activities.
Environmental meaning: Preparedness for healthy environmental practices and vigilance against negative environmental practices. This would protect societies from any unforeseen natural retribution such as earthquakes, storms, hurricanes, tsunamis and so forth. Therefore the greening and environmentally friendly activities would prepare societies, offering them a stronger buffer against all forms of future natural upheavals. It would also keep in abundance all environmental resources for the sustainable use by the present and future generations (3).
(3) Adinkra Cultural Symbols for Environmental Sustainability … (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325450947_Adinkra_Cultural_Symbols_for_Environm ental_Sustainability_Education_in_Ghana
Sankofa
Meaning: Go back for it
Symbolizes: There is wisdom in learning from the past, ancestors.
Origin: Twi dialect from Ghana. It is a mythical bird moving forward while its head is turned backward toward an egg. The egg represents knowledge from the past (Shujaa 2015).
Spiritual meaning: The symbol teaches the wisdom in learning from the past to help improve the future. It teaches people to cherish and value their culture. This is the symbol of positive reversion and revival.
Meaning in today’s society: It represents a wake up call to fetch what is forgotten (Adom et al. 2016)
Environmental meaning: Educates us of our roles as stewards of the environment and its associated accountability. This cultural symbol also reminds us not to forget the rich cultural precepts of our forebears who lived sustainably because they wanted to be good stewards of the environment, always thinking of the future progeny. It teaches us the need to return to the ideals of stewardship of the environment (3).
Shujaa, Mwalimu J., and Shujaa, Kenya J. 2015. The Sage Encyclopedia of African Cultural Heritage in North America. Sage Publications
Adom, Dickson, Asante Appau, and Kquofi, Steve. 2016. “Adinkra: An Epitome of Asante Philosophy and History”. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences. Vol. 6, N0.14.
(3) Adinkra Cultural Symbols for Environmental Sustainability … (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325450947_Adinkra_Cultural_Symbols_for_Environm ental_Sustainability_Education_in_Ghana