Akan people from Ghana and the Gyaman people from Cote' d'Ivoire have a tradition of creating revered cloths with hand printed designs. One of the most valued is the Adinkra cloth. Adinkra symbolism is a visual representation of social thought relating to the history, philosophy & religious beliefs of the Akan people. Adinkra means "goodbye". Originally Adinkra cloths were made & used exclusively for the royalty & spiritual leaders for important sacred ceremonies & rituals, particularly funerals. The symbols are still used to convey a message & the current generation continues to create new symbols.
Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum
