What Are the Meanings of the Symbols on African Clothing?
A distinctive feature of traditional African dress is its use of festive colors, intricate patterns and figurative symbols to communicate meaning. These garments are much more than mere adornment. According to Dr. Kwesi Yankah, Professor of Linguistics at the University of Ghana, they are used “not just to praise political heroes, to commemorate historical events, and to assert social identities, but also as a form of rhetoric–a channel for the silent projection of argument.” Adinkra Cloth Adinkra cloth is an embroidered and dyed cotton cloth that is native to Ghana. Using stamps carved from a gourd or calabash, the cloth is decorated with Adinkra symbols. These symbols, of which there are more than 700, represent historical events, regional proverbs and ideology, and aspects of daily life. Some common Adinkra symbols are the Adwo, which represents peace, the Dua Afe, a symbol of love and beauty and the Abe Dua, a treelike emblem that represents self-sufficiency and wealth. Kente Clot
