Adinkra are visual symbols, originally created by the Akan of Ghana and the Gyaman of Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa, that represent concepts or aphorisms. Adinkra are used on fabric, walls, in pottery, woodcarvings and logos. Fabric adinkra are often made by woodcut sign writing as well as screen printing. They also can be used to communicate evocative messages that represent parts of their life or those around them.
In the Ashanti Craft Village of Ntonso, just a short drive north of Kumasi, Adinkra cloth is hand made. The traditional method of creating Adinkra cloth is by mashing the bark of Bedia trees (transported from North Ghana), boiling and reducing several times until it becomes a pitch-like black dye. Wooden stamps are carved from calabash gourds in the shape of the Adinkra symbols. These stamps are then dipped into the die and rocked onto fabric to create unique and beautiful patterns. Strips of kente cloth may be sewn between strips of Adinkra cloth to create a colorful and dramatic piece.
