Out Of Africa. The Story of Adinkra

This is a one hour digital slide presentation on the origin and history of the Adinkra symbols of West Africa, which are widely used all over the world in fabric prints. Adinkra prints are one of the highly valued hand-printed and hand-embroidered cloths found in Africa today. 

Its origin is traced to the Asante people of Ghana, and the Gyaman people of Cote’de Ivoire . However, the production and use of Adinkra has come to be more associated with the Asante people of Ghana than any other group of people.   

Around the 19th Century, the Asante people developed their unique art of Adinkra printing. Adinkra cloths were made and used exclusively by royalty and spiritual leaders. According to the Adinkra dictionary there are currently 62 symbols and more being added with time.  

Wendy will discuss 11 popular and prominent Adinkra symbols, used and embraced today all over the world in the first half hour, and in the other half hour will talk about  the popular traditional ethnic attire women called the 'Kaba' in Ghana, and the men's Kente wrap, she will also teach about how different colors are only used for certain social events, such as birth, weddings, and funerals.