Adinkra is a type of cloth made by the Ashanti people of Ghana with a thick black plant dye. The dyers use stamps carved from calabash to cover cloth with patterns. There are over a hundred patterns referring to Ashanti proverbs, historic people, animals and events.
One legend about how the Ashanti learned to make Adinkra is that it is named after a former king of Gyaman (now Cote D’ Ivoire) who wore a stamped cloth into battle against the Ashanti in the early 19th century. He was killed, and his son, Apau, was taken prisoner. Apau agreed to teach the Ashanti how to make the stamped cloth if they spared his life. The village of Asokwa became the Ashanti king’s official Adinkra cloth printing centre.
Adinkra is traditionally worn at funerals and at times of mourning. Adinkra printed on black, brown, red, or purple cloth is worn from the period from death to the burial of the deceased person. Adinkra on white is worn for the post-burial celebration.
You can see Adinkra Printing and try it for yourself on an Ashanti Crafts Tour.
More Ashanti Crafts
- Brass Casting in the village of Kurofofrom
- Bead Making in the villages of Dabaa, Oyoko and Obawale
- Kente Cloth Weaving in the village of Bonwire
- Wood Carving in the village of Ahwiaa
- Adinkra Printing in the village of Ntonso
If you would like to find out more about Adinkra Printing on a tour to Ghana please contact us for more information. To stay up to date with our latest news sign up to our newsletter.
