Awkaaba Ba Adinkra
This was done as my capstone project for my final full semester in college (May 2024). We were given total creative freedom to create what we wanted for our exhibition, and I chose to create a website and prints based on the Ghanaian Adinkra Symbols.
For this project, using a mix of Adobe Illustrator and Blender, I wanted to represent my Ghanaian heritage in a more modern way while also experimenting with design elements that interested me at the time. An interactive prototype is available here.
Chief of Adinkra/Adinkrahene: This symbol represents greatness, authority, leadership, and charisma. There are many ideas about the physical origins of this symbol. One of the many speculations is that it formed from ripples in the water.
Accept God/Gye Nyame: One of the most popular and recognizable Adinkra symbols. This symbol represents the omnipotence and immortality of God. The Gye Nyame symbol is so important that it’s even featured on the 200 cedi banknote.
Moon & Star: This symbol represents marriage, faithfulness, fondness, harmony, loyalty, and femininity. It originates from the proverb ‘Kyekye pe awarre/The North Star loves marriage.” The Star always awaits the return of her husband, the Moon.
Soul/Sunsum: This symbolizes the spiritual purity and cleanliness of one's soul.
Love Does Not Lose Its Way Home/Odo Nnyew Fie Kwan: This symbol represents the power of love and faithfulness. It symbolizes that those led by love always end up where they should be.
No One Should Bite the Other/Bi Nka Bi: This symbol represents various peacemaking ideas such as fairness, peace, forgiveness, harmony, justice, and unity.
Universe/Adobe Santann: Originating from the proverb “Abode santann yi firi tete, firi Odomankoma;.../ This panorama of creation is from time immemorial, from God...” This symbol represents the totality of the universe. The symbol incorporates motifs of an eye, the sun, the double crescent moon and the golden stool.
Ladder of Death: Owuo Atwedee This symbol originates from the proverb “Owuo atwedee baakofoo mforo/Death’s Ladder is not climbed by one person. ” It represents mortality, fate, and expresses that death is universal, and comes for everyone.