Rune-like African Symbols: Adinkra

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Kassandra
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Rune-like African Symbols: Adinkra

Post by Kassandra »

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Adinkra symbols originate with the Ashanti culture of the West African country of Ghana. Like Nordic runes in European culture, Adinkra symbols are used for divination, talismans, and decoration on buildings, fabric, etc.

Below is a chart defining the meaning of a few (not all --there are many more, from what I understand) Adinkra symbols. Next are examples of real-life applications of the symbols, and finally an informational YouTube video. Enjoy!

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Image
Image
Image




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Adinkra Used in Divination
Adinkra rune divination set.jpg
Adinkra rune divination set.jpg (32.41 KiB) Viewed 169301 times
Photo source: sheloya.ecrater.com/
Sesa Waruban Adinkra.jpg
Sesa Waruban Adinkra.jpg (41.17 KiB) Viewed 169292 times
Oracle cards.
Photo source: avmobley.tumblr.com/post/29941616318/c-aaron-mobley-heart-of-afrika-designs






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Adinkra in Daily Life




Exterior design/Architecture

Image
The Adinkra-decorated left wing of Golden Tulip Hotel in the city of Kumasi in the country of Ghana, Africa.



Adinkra cement decoration.jpg
Adinkra cement decoration.jpg (12.18 KiB) Viewed 169023 times
Photo source: adinkra.org/htmls/adinkra/gyen3.htm






Interior Design/Furnishings, etc.
Adinkra stool.jpg
Adinkra stool.jpg (12.02 KiB) Viewed 169320 times
Stool with symbol as base.
Photo source: 1aakan.weebly.com/modern-day-akan.html







On Modern Clothing
Adinkra t-shirt III.jpg
Adinkra t-shirt III.jpg (24.89 KiB) Viewed 169293 times
Photo source: pinterest.com/source/renewproject.org/
Adinkra t-shirt.jpg
Adinkra t-shirt.jpg (10.93 KiB) Viewed 169302 times
Photo source: cafepress.com/+africa-peace+gifts
Adinkra baseball cap.jpg
Adinkra baseball cap.jpg (16.39 KiB) Viewed 169274 times
zazzle.com/amiot_gallery_adinka_vieillot_look_hat_embroidered_hat-233492995160852801








On Traditional Clothing
Man wearing Adinkra fabric.jpg
Man wearing Adinkra fabric.jpg (76.97 KiB) Viewed 169305 times
Photo source: afroetic.com/adinkra-symbols/
Creating Adinkra fabric.jpg
Creating Adinkra fabric.jpg (28.89 KiB) Viewed 169305 times
Photo source: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adinkra_printing.jpg








As Jewelry
african-adinkra-charm-necklace-virginia-vivier.jpg
african-adinkra-charm-necklace-virginia-vivier.jpg (100.65 KiB) Viewed 169316 times
.
Adinkra choker.jpg
Adinkra choker.jpg (15.7 KiB) Viewed 169302 times
Photo source: culturedexpressions.com/projectstips/make-projects/








As Body Art
adinkracover.jpg
adinkracover.jpg (63.69 KiB) Viewed 169269 times
Henna on hands.
adinkra body art  III.jpg
adinkra body art III.jpg (30.71 KiB) Viewed 169316 times
Photo source: lordyatta.tumblr.com/post/6658139249/adinkra-totem-by-lord-yatta
adinkra body art  II.jpg
adinkra body art II.jpg (8.62 KiB) Viewed 169316 times
Photo source: rattatattoo.com/top-10-tribal-tattoos/adinkra-symbol-tribal-tattoo-supremacy-of-god-body-art-for-men-religious-design/
adinkra body art.jpg
adinkra body art.jpg (51.48 KiB) Viewed 169316 times
Adinkra symbols (along spine), combined
with Polynesian design (on shoulders).

Photo source: polynesiantribaltattoo.com/tattoo-type/blackink/









https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqNac3Te0FI











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Re: Rune-like African Symbols: Adinkra

Post by -Dark-Moon- »

Wow, these are cool !
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Kassandra
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Re: Rune-like African Symbols: Adinkra

Post by Kassandra »

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Yeah, I incorporated them in some artwork, and exhibited the artwork over 10 years ago. Then, I'd forgotten all about them, until recently, when I was doing some research on something else. I was like, "oh, yeah, these." So, I thought I'd share them here. :wink:





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Re: Rune-like African Symbols: Adinkra

Post by -Dark-Moon- »

They are powerful symbols... 'He who wants to be king' is quite interesting to me.
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Re: Rune-like African Symbols: Adinkra

Post by Echo_of_shadows »

I've seen some of these before, especially Gye Nyame. During my junior year of high school, I took a course in African art and I remember using some of these in one of our projects. I had no idea that they were used like runes. :o
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Re: Rune-like African Symbols: Adinkra

Post by Kassandra »

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Yep. Similar to Nordic rune use, one could use them for divination purposes, or decorate with them to add an auspicious energy to things. That's cool you learned about them in high school.




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