Adinkra Symbols Page 2

Adinkra symbols vary in meaning depending on the interpreter.
The following list is a combination of interpretations in an attempt to come to the fullest understanding available in the English language.

Krapa, Keerapa, or Musu yide	Krapa, or Musu yide, is a symbol that implies good fortune and luck, but also sanctity, a good spirit and spiritual strength. Its proverbial saying is "Krapa te se okra, okyiri fi -- Sanctity is like a cat. It abhors filth. This metaphorically implies a removal of bad luck.
Kramo-bone	Kramo-bone amma yanhu kramo-pa. We cannot tell a good mohammedan from a bad one. The fake and the genuine look alike because of hypocrisy. It is a warning against deception and hypocracy.
Kuntunkantan	Kuntunkantan is a symbol warning against arrogance and boastfulness, inflated pride, egocentrism. There is need for humility and servitude. Even though the symbol offers personal wisdom, it tends toward the pride of state.
Kwatakye	Gyamu atiko is actually a special hair style of the war hero, Kwatakye, a design shaved by Gyawu, a once Bantamahene. Its metaphorical meaning is valor, fearlessness, bravery.
Mframa-dan	Mframa-danis a symbol that means wind house, or wind-resistant house, a house built to stand windy and treacherous conditions. "This symbol suggests a reinforced or well-built home -- one built to withstand windy and treacherous conditions. It reflects in Asante history a clause in the unwritten constitutution of the Golden Stool. Oral acocunts say that according to that clause, mud houses in Kumasi must be reinforced with turf. This reinforcing would cause the house to be sturdier and resistant to unfavorable weather conditions." --from The Adinkra Dictionary by W. Bruce Willis. The metaphorical meaning of the symbol is then considered as the stamina and moral strength and prepardness to face life's trials.
Mmra Krado	Mmra Krado is the lock or seal of law. "Kontire ne Akwam (elders of the state)". It is a symbol of authority, legality, legitimacy and power of the court.
Mpuannum	Mpuannum is a traditionally fashionable hair style of five tufts of hair. Welltempered.net reports from W. Bruce Willis, The Adinkra Dictionary: "This symbol is said to be the hairstyle of joy. It is the traditional hairstyle of the priestesses...The design of the adinkra symbol mpuannum resembles the way the priestesses' hair was tied...It also represents the devotion and faithfulness one displays when doing a task required of one. In addition, mpuannum means loyalty or the embodiment of lofty duty to a desired goal."
Nhwimu	Nhwimu (crossing). The divisions done on to the plain cloth before the stamping is done. Metaphorically, it is a symbol of precision and adroitness.
Nkonsonkonson	Nkonsonkonson is a symbol meaning link or chain, representing unity, interdependence, brotherhood and cooperation, in family and community, making it a symbol of human relations. Unity gives strength and families who share common blood relations are never to break apart, for we are linked in both life and death.
Nkotimsefo Mpua	Nkontim is said to mean 'hair of the Queen's servant', menaing the shaved heads of some court attendants as a ceremonial haircut in the royal household. It stresses their loyalty and readiness to serve.
Nkyin kyin	Nkyin kyin means twistings, and is a symbol of toughness, adaptability, devotion to service and ability to withstand hardships. These twistings are acts of change, the changing of one's self by being able to play many roles, building endurance and establishing grace under hardship.
Nnonowa	Nnonowa (Ahoma), is also called "dono ntoaso" (the double or joined armpit talking dono drum. This is symbolic of united action, alertness and goodwill.
Nsaa	Nsaa is a handwoven blanket. "Nea onim nsaa na oto n'ago -- He who does not know authentic Nsaa will buy the fakes." It represents a quality of workmanship in general and metaphorically suggests qualities of excellence, genuineness and authenticity.
Nsoroma	Nsoroma is the symbol of a star and by extension a child of the heavens. Its proverb is "Obu Nyankon soroma te Nyame na nte neho so -- A child of the Supreme Being I do not depend on myself. My illumination is only a reflection of His." Another way it is said is "Like the star-son of the Supreme Being I depend on God and not on myself." It is a reminder that God watches over us all and it is a symbol of that guardianship.
Ntesie-matemasie	Ntesie-matemasie (I have heard and kept it). "Nyansa bun mu nne mate masie." Symbol of wisdom and knowledge. I have kept what I have heard, being a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. Well tempered.net suggests that "The implied meaning of the phrase "mate masie" is "I understand". Understanding means wisdom and knowledge, but it also represents the prudence of taking into consideration what another person has said."
Nyame dua	Nyame dua (an altar to the sky God). Altar, place of worship. Africawithin.com lists the same symbol for the following meaning: Nyame nwu na mawu. If Nyame (God) dies, then I may die. Perpetual existence. I can find no other references to this symbol in my current sources.
Nyame Biribi wo soro	Biribi wo soro. "Nyame biribi wo soro na ma embeka mensa (God there is something in the heavens, let it reach me.)." A symbol of hope.
obi-nka-bi	Bi nka obi (bite not one another). Avoid conflicts. Symbol of Unity. Do not seek revenge, avoid conflict.
Ohene niwa	Ohene niwa (in the king's eye). The king has lots of eyes and nothing is hidden from him.
Okodee Mmowere	Okodee Mmowere (the talons of the eagle).
Osrane (moon)	"Osrane nnfiti preko ntware man." It takes the moon sometime to go round the nation. Osrane ne nsoroma (moon and star). A symbol of faithfulness.
Owo foro adobe	Owo foro adobe (snake climbing the palm). Performing the unusual or the impossible.
Pa gya	Pa gya (to strike fire or make fire). This is said to represent war.Pagya (flint for fire making) Bravery, striking out
Penpamsie	Penpamsie (that which will not crush). "Penpamsie see bebirebe ahooden ne koroye." Unity in strength.
Sankofa	Sankofa (return and fetch it). "SE wo werE fi na wosankofa a yenkyi." It is no taboo to return and fetch it when you forget. You can always undo your mistakes. Mistakes can be rectified, look to the past for solutions. Sankofa is also depicted as a backwards-looking goose.
Sepow	Sepow (knife used in executions). This is thrust through the victim's cheeks to prevent his invoking a curse on the king.
Tabon	Tabon (paddle). Paddles are more common with coastal tribes.
Tikorommpam	"Tikorommpam." One head does not constitute a council. Law, authority. Krado - mmra krado (Seal of law and order). Symbolizing the authority of the court.
Wawa Aba	Wawa Aba (the seed of the wawa tree). 'Wawa' is a hard wood used in carving, hence its significance in Akan culture. Wawa aba (Wawa seed) Overcoming barriers, movement, progression
Wonnwo ba ne se Ese ne keterEma	Ese ne keterEma (the teeth and tongue). "Wonnwo ba ne se." No child is born with its teeth. We improve and advance.

Adinkra Symbols List One >>>

Aban - Hye wo nhye
Krapa - Wonnwo
Adinkra Main Page Article

Sources

Rattray, R. S. Religion and Art in Ashanti, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1927
Antubam, Kofi. Ghana's Heritage of Culture, Leipzig: Koehlere Amelang, 1968
Kayper-Mensah, A. Sankofa-Adinkra Poems, Accra: Ghana Publishing Corporation, 1976
Asihene, E.V. Understanding the Traditional Art of Ghana, London: Associated Univ. Presses, Inc., 1978
Quarcoo, A.K. The Language of Adinkra, Legon: University of Ghana, 1971
Glover, Ablade. Adinkra Symbolism, Accra: Liberty Press LTD., 1971

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