Uploads from Heart of Áfrika Designs

Afar Woman

nobody@flickr.com (Heart of Áfrika Designs) — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:00:57 -0700

Heart of Áfrika Designs posted a photo:

Afar Woman By Carol Beckwith & Angela Fisher
from Women of the African Ark

Adinkra-Kente Design

nobody@flickr.com (Heart of Áfrika Designs) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:59:29 -0700

Heart of Áfrika Designs posted a photo:

©Aaron Mobley - Heart of Afrika Designs

Adinkra-Kente Design

nobody@flickr.com (Heart of Áfrika Designs) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 08:59:06 -0700

Heart of Áfrika Designs posted a photo:

©Aaron Mobley - Heart of Afrika Designs

Adinkra-Kente-Batik Design

nobody@flickr.com (Heart of Áfrika Designs) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 17:47:34 -0800

Heart of Áfrika Designs posted a photo:

©Aaron Mobley - Heart of Afrika Designs

Adinkra-Kente Design

nobody@flickr.com (Heart of Áfrika Designs) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:27:31 -0800

Heart of Áfrika Designs posted a photo:

©Aaron Mobley - Heart of Afrika Designs

Sika Adwa (Golden Stool) Digital Kente Design

nobody@flickr.com (Heart of Áfrika Designs) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 20:39:52 -0700

Heart of Áfrika Designs posted a photo:

© Aaron Mobley - Heart of Afrika Designs

In Asante and other West African societies, stools represented the spiritual authority of their owners and were preserved for generations in family shrines. According to tradition, Onyame, the god of creation, wished the Asante to become a mighty nation. As a sign of his intentions he sent a Golden Stool from heaven to serve as the Asante’s national symbol. The stool descended from heaven in a dense black cloud, while thunder rumbled and the air became thick with white dust. If the stool was cherished and protected, the Asante would flourish; but if the stool were dishonored or surrendered to an enemy, the Asante would wither like a person whose soul has been corrupted. The stool was never allowed to touch the ground, and even the king was not allowed to sit on it. In the annual procession to the royal tombs, the Golden Stool was carried ahead of the king, shaded by a large umbrella and accompanied by even more attendants than the king himself. “Golden Stool” Symbol of the Asante Nation, soul and spiritual authority of the Asante people, and national unity.

See Textiles in Ghana Videos.

Akyempem (Thousand Shields) Digital Kente Design

nobody@flickr.com (Heart of Áfrika Designs) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 20:35:26 -0700

Heart of Áfrika Designs posted a photo:

© Aaron Mobley - Heart of Afrika Designs

This Kente cloth pattern is a reference to shields used by highly well organized malitia consisting of thousands of men and women who defend the Asante Kingdom against external aggression. According to the military strategy of the Asante Kingdom, the chief of the shield bearers, the Akyempemhene, and the rear guard of the King are his own sons. Shields once used as military weapons are now used in royal ceremonies to symbolize and commemorate prowess of the Asante Kingdom. The nine squares motif represent MPUANKRON (nine tufts of hair) a ceremonial hair cut of some royal functionaries who help rulers make decisions. “Thousand Shields” Symbol of military prowess, unity through military strength, bravery, political vigilance, and spiritual defensiveness.

See Textiles in Ghana Videos.

Abusua Ye Dom (The extended family is a force) Digital Kente Design

nobody@flickr.com (Heart of Áfrika Designs) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 20:28:36 -0700

Heart of Áfrika Designs posted a photo:

© Aaron Mobley - Heart of Afrika Designs

This Kente cloth pattern was designed to celebrate and reinforce positive attributes of the extended family system. Among the Akan peoples, the extended family is the foundation of society. Like a military force, members of the family are collectively responsible for the material and spiritual well-being, the physical protection and the social security of all its members. The first row contains the motifs DONNO (Hourglass drum) and NWOTOA (snail’s shell). The second row contains the motifs BABADUA (cane stalks) and NSATEA (fingers). “The extended family is a force” Symbol of a strong family bond, the value of family unity, collective work and responsibility, and cooperation.

See Textiles in Ghana Videos.