#asante

[dumbfaec]

Sinner No. 88 [Anansi] | Ghanaian/Caribbean Folklore

Synopsis: A cunning schemer with a charismatic silver tongue, Anansi is a lady who's lived to tell many tales, which is a feat in itself from the city. However, the threads she's spun have people questioning whether or not they're woven in truth, or tangled in lies.

Particulars: Deceptive, Unpredictable, Kleptomaniac Tendencies

[victoriantomodern]

Adinkra fabric, worn by Asante king Prempeh I in 1897 when he was forcibly deposed by the British, 19th century, cotton printed with vegetable dyes. From the Visual Arts Legacy Collection (JSTOR)

[jt1674]

Visit Original Link

[nogetron]

Another Anansi redesign! I actually really like this one so hopefully I don’t get the itch to redo him again lol

Check out Anansi’s original profile and design HERE

[januwo]

Museum Spotlight- Asante Gold Weights

A weight made of brass, in the shape of a sawfish, 18th century

The Akan people are an ethnic group that lived around modern-day Northern Ghana. The ethnic group has started multiple advanced civilisations throughout Western Africa, with the Asante kingdom in particular being very admired by foreign travellers.

As other civilisations, they gained influence through trade within and abroad. In the Asante kingdom, to trade specific, standard amounts of goods they used weights made of brass that would be calibrated to a standard, similar to how the kilogram weights are used today.

Beyond simple cubes of gold/brass, they would decorate them in many different styles representing West African people, animals, and motifs. Adinkra motifs, fish, gods, etc... were some of the most common. A status of a man was put in question if they didn't have a complete set of weights, and these were common gifts in Asante weddings. European explorers made sure to point them out as an example of the advanced nature of the Asante Kingdom.

Hundreds of examples of these sit in the British Museum, some examples are below:

A stylised fish, brass weight, 19th century

A snake attacking a crane, 18th century

Two leopards next to an antelope, 19th century

A bird, 19th century

A crocodile, 18th century

Two kissing swans, a popular Adinkra motif, 19th century

A very detailed sawfish, 19th century

Two men shaking hands, one strokes his beard, 19th century

A man beating a traditional drum, 18th century

[pinketine]

Pulling at his cheeks he's so cute and awesome

[themasterpupil]

The meaning of the Kente cloth associated with Obama is primarily one of unity, pride in African heritage, and the celebration of African-American achievement.

Commemoration: The "Obama Kente" design was inspired by traditional weaving and symbolism, created to mark his significant visit to Ghana and the global recognition of African culture.

African-American Identity: In the United States, Kente cloth is widely used as a powerful symbol of identification with African ancestry and pride in Black identity, often worn at significant life events like graduations.

A Symbol of High Status: Historically, Kente cloth was a royal cloth, worn exclusively by the Asantehene (Asante King) and other important figures on special ceremonial occasions, symbolizing wealth, high status, and prestige.

Specific Color Meanings: The colors in Kente cloth each hold specific meanings:

Gold/Yellow: Royalty, wealth, prosperity, and high status.

Green: Growth, renewal, and the land.

Red: Political and spiritual moods, as well as blood and sacrificial rites.

Blue: Peace, harmony, and a pure spirit.

Black: Maturity, spiritual energy, and union with ancestors.

[vegan-nom-noms]

Vegan Kontomire/Palava Stew