Skip to content
  • Home
  • About|Join
  • Ethics
  • Events
  • Certificates
  • OwiaBulletin
  • Journals
  • DecolonisingCalculators
  • Mfundo|Training
  • FundiDictionary
  • Awards
  • Ushahidi
  • DACC
  • Bookshop
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Academia AJSW
Africa Social Work and Development Network | Mtandao waKazi zaJamii naMaendeleo waAfrica
Africa Social Work & Development Network | Mtandao waKazi zaJamii naMaendeleo waAfrika

Africa Social Work & Development Network | Mtandao waKazi zaJamii naMaendeleo waAfrika

We create, aggregate and disseminate information and resources to facilitate Social Work and Development Work in Africa.

  • ACADEMICS
    • Lecture Resources
    • Lectures
    • Fieldwork Resources
    • Types of University Assessments
    • Book Publishing
      • Book_Professional Social Work in Zimbabwe
    • ASWDNet Guide to Writing (Journals)
    • ASWDNet Guide to Writing and Publishing
  • PRACTITIONERS
    • Values and Ethics in Africa
    • Africa Social Work and Development Awards
    • Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
    • Templates, Models, Frameworks and Assessment Tools
    • African Theories
    • Supervision
  • STUDENTS
    • Social Work and Development Student Conference (SWDSC)
    • 12 Steps to Get Published
    • Tips for Prospective Doctoral Students
    • ASWDNet Guide to Writing (Academic Research Brief| Proposal | Thesis)
    • Writing a journal article could be as easy as making fufu, nsima, ugali or matoke!
    • Lectures
  • RESEARCHERS
    • Research Methods
    • African Independent Ethics Committee (AIEC)
    • Research Questions Bank
    • Publisher/Journal Checker
    • Research Strategies
    • Reviewers
    • Ubuntu Research Group (URG)
  • ASSOCIATIONS
  • TRAINING INSTITUTIONS
  • COMMUNITIES
    • Ubuntu Fundraising and Charity Principles
    • COVID-19
    • Social Work for Children
    • Funda KiSwahili
  • MEMBERS
  • Africa Philosophy
  • African Theories
  • Research Methods
  • Library | Databases
  • Social Work
    • Social Work Education institutions (SWEI) in Africa
    • Biography of Social Development in Africa
      • Charlotte Makgomo-Mannya Maxeke (1871-1939)
      • Zahia Marzouk (1906 – 1988)
      • Regina Gelana Twala (1908-1968)
      • Mai Musodzi Chibhaga Ayema (1885-1952)
      • Nnoseng Ellen Kate Kuzwayo (1914 – 2006)
      • Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo (19 June 1917 – 1 July 1999)
      • Jairos Jiri (1921 – 1982)
      • Kenneth Buchizya Kaunda (1924-2021)
      • John Samuel Mbiti (1931-2019)
      • Gibson Mthuthuzeli Kent (1932-2004)
      • Winnie Madikizela-Mandela 1936–2016
      • Ngugi wa Mirii (1951 – May 3, 2008)
      • Andrew Chad Nyanguru (28 Mar 1953-14 May 2014)
      • Professor Rodreck Mupedziswa
      • Edwell Kaseke (1954-2017)
      • Lovemore Mbigi
      • Selassie Seyoum Gebre (1936-)
      • Arega Yimam (-c1989)
      • Dr Noel Garikai Muridzo
      • Dr Edmos Mthethwa
      • Phillip Manyanye Bohwasi
      • Wassie Kebede
      • Gidraph G Wairire
      • Wangari Muta Maathai
      • Uzoma Odera Okoye, Dr
    • Social Work Journals and Other Serial Publications in Africa (ASWDNet Index)
    • Kuumba (Mentoring)
      • SURVEY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES FOR AFRICA
      • Mentees
      • Mentors
      • Guidelines
    • Association of Social Work Education in Africa (ASWEA) – 1965 to 1989
    • Future of Social Work in Africa
    • Environmental Social Work
  • Development
    • Developmental Work Database
  • Ubuntu
    • Ubuntu Research Group (URG)
    • Ushahidi Platform
    • Ubuntu Fundraising and Charity Principles
    • Ubuntu Bibliography
    • Ubuntu Survey
    • Ubuntu Annual Lecture
    • Ubuntu Interview Guide Sample
  • Africa
    • African Anthem (African Union)
    • Umoja waAfrica (African Union)
    • Fundi – The African Dictionary and Encyclopaedia of Social Work and Development
    • Africa Religion (uAfrica)
    • maJina | Directory of Africa Names
    • Africa Research Ethics and Malpractice Statement (AREMS)
    • The San Code of Research Ethics (San Code)
  • Blog
    • Our Ubuntu-inspired Comments Policy
    • Become a Blogger
    • Admin ASWDNet
    • Babekazi
    • Professor Roy@Indigenous Social Work
    • Mutape J.D.S Sithole
    • Alemayehu Gebru from Ethiopia, Jimma City
    • Rugare Mugumbate
    • Decolonise
    • Writing and Publishing
    • Development
    • Toto
    • Ms. Alexandra Thokozile Mliswa (MSc,LLB, BA)
    • Environmental work
    • Africa religion | Spirituality
    • Kudzai Mwapaura blogger
    • All Posts Basket
YOU ARE HERE » Home » All Posts Basket » African symbols and their usefulness in social work and development

Related

Program released for DAC Students Conference 2025 Admin ASWDNet
2025 awards announced (Africa Social Work and Development Awards) Admin ASWDNet
Using Ubuntu values to decolonise AI systems, Professor Mutambara, UJ Admin ASWDNet

African symbols and their usefulness in social work and development

Posted on 31 March 202312 October 2023 By aswnetadmin 1 Comment on African symbols and their usefulness in social work and development

Recognising, valuing and using Adinkra symbols from west africa

  • All Adinkra symbols on cloth
  • All Adinkra symbols with their names
  • Eighteen (18) signs for social work and development
  • Sankofa
  • World-wide usage
  • How to use symbols in teaching and practice
  • Kente design
  • References

Like any other part of the world, Africa has symbols. These are physical (you can hold and see them), graphical (you can see them) or mind (you can visualise them) representations of African philosophy: knowledge, values, ethics, theories and practices. There are as many as 122 symbols in the Akan culture. Adinkra symbols were created to translate philosophy and African knowledge into tangible artifacts.

Generally, African symbols are versatile, are a tool for teaching and socialization into African ideals. Just like proverbs, symbols express African philosophy succinctly and non-verbally. Symbols preserve history and culture, and gives artists and scientists a foundation for their thinking. For children, symbols build their imagination, and incite them to be creative in a symbolic space that has meaning to them. Symbols, like proverbs, are multi-vocal, meaning they many have many related interpretations.

“Adinkra symbols embody Akan cultural values, which are built on the collectively-shared traditions of origins and social responsibilities (Anquandah, 2013). The imagery or memories of these traditions are usually retained in verbal forms such as myths, proverbs, oaths and witty sayings, and are used as ideal flash points to guide social actions and interactions (Sekyi-Baidoo, 1999: 124-125)”.

“Adinkra symbols are ideographical representations of proverbs, philosophies, thoughts, and values of the Akans of Ghana. The symbols encapsulate the worldviews and keen observations of human behaviour, and the interactions between nature and humanity” (Owusu, 2019). The symbols have “philosophical, educational, historical and moral values” (Kuwornu-Adjaottor Appiah and Nartey, 2015).

All Adinkra symbols on cloth

The nice printing is a result of the following process.

  • Bark is taken from the badie tree – the trees grow in protected forests which are sacred. The trees are not cut to enable bark to grow again. Both sacredness and not cutting the trees is indigenous environmental protection knowledge.
  • The bark is socked in water for days and then pointed when it gets softer.
  • The pounded powder is boiled to produce die or ink, and the remains are fed back into the forest or land.
  • Stamps that are made from calabash gourds or wood are dipped in the dye and patterned on cloth.
  • Clothes can then be used to make dresses, shorts, t-shirts, shorts, head covers, bottom covers, ceremony apparel and many others.

Adinkra signs from Ghana Museum

All Adinkra symbols with their names

Eighteen (18) signs for social work and development

Below we have selected nine that relate to social work and development directly although all of them are relevant.

African symbols and their usefulness in social workDownload Image
African-symbols-and-their-usefulness-in-social-workDownload PDF

Sankofa

“Figuratively, sankofa, represents at least two closely related Akan maxims
that; ‘Se eto w’akyiri a fa, na sankɔfa, yenkyiri’, meaning ‘if it falls behind
you, retrieve it, for the recovery of that which was neglected is of a virtue’, and ‘Tete wo bi ka, tete wobi kyire, nti sankɔfa, yenkyiri’, meaning ‘the past has a lot to say, the past has a lot to teach, thus going back for something of the past is of a virtue” (Owusu, 2019).

Sankofa, a closer look

There are two symbols for sankofa.

Literal meaning: “Go back for it”.

Symbolic meaning: There is wisdom in learning from the past.

Background: This symbol shows the Akan’s admiration of their history. Akans believe that the way their ancestors and forefathers led their life is worthy of emulation and need continuity so if the current generation will admit this fact and go back to their roots for the good things their ancestors did to succeed in life, it will help them a lot. The philosophy behind the Akans trust in the aged as consultants of wisdom is found in many Akan proverbs and folktales. Philosophical lesson: the symbol teaches the wisdom in learning from the past to help improve the future. It also teaches people to cherish and value their culture and avoid its negative adulteration. This is the symbol of positive reversion and revival.

Application to contemporary living: Sometimes people frown, ignore and neglect their cultural heritage. These traditions have been abandoned for foreign cultures due to the stigma attached to them. Some people however, have recognized the importance of taking up relevant cultural values useful for contemporary living. It is believed that progress is based on the right application of positive aspects of the past values. Most of the basic schools in Ghana beat traditional drums to pass information to the pupils, also some people are calling for reinstatement of puberty rite (a traditional rite which was performed in the past to usher a girl into adulthood). During state functions, Traditional Priests are often invited to pray for the state (Kuwornu-Adjaottor Appiah and Nartey, 2015).

“The allusion to Sankofa is therefore a call to reflect on some relevant aspects of the past (perhaps neglected) and rejuvenate them for both contemporary life and the future” (Owusu, 2019).

World-wide usage

The symbols from the Akan alphabet have been used as logos or names of individuals or organisations and companies several times throughout Africa and the world. The arf found on clothing. They have been used in Christianity to represent oneness of God, diversity, respect and leadership (Ossom-Batsa and Apaah, 2018). You find them on Christian ornaments, garments and other tools of worship.

There was an attempt to replace all these symbols with those from Abrahamaic religions, for example, the cross but African symbolism survived.

How to use symbols in teaching and practice

They are new in social work but they are finding their way in. It is our role to ensure we value and use them.

  • Create a story that shows the meaning of each symbol.
  • Ask students to pick symbols that show values and ethics in social work.
  • Ask students to link each symbol to Africa’s philosophy.
  • Display the symbols at home, work and classroom to communicate their values.
  • Use them to teach about African religion and spirituality.
  • Refer to them in code of ethics.
  • Use them as user names or pass words.
  • Use Adinkra stamps for art.
  • Use Adinkra signs to teach about protecting the environment.
  • Use Adinkra signs to teach about socio-economic development.
  • Use the signs in design of buildings, bricks and blocks.
  • Teach students to make Adinkra signs so that they could transfer the skills to communities.
  • Invite a person who knows about the signs to explain their meanings, a cultural expert for example.

Kente design

From the Akan also comes Kente design which usually appears on handwoven and decorated cloth. A future blog will cover Kente. The picture below which has been part of our homepage since the website was created, is a Kente piece, as well as the second one.

References

Owusu, P. (2019). Adinkra Symbols as “Multivocal” Pedagogical/Socialization ToolContemporary. Journal of African Studies 2019; 6 (1): 46-58.

Ossom-Batsa, G. and Apaah, F. (2018), Rethinking the Great Commission: Incorporation of Akan Indigenous Symbols into Christian Worship. International Review of Mission, 107: 261-278. https://doi.org/10.1111/irom.12221

Kuwornu-Adjaottor JET, Appiah Gand Nartey M (2015). The philosophy behind some Adinkra symbols and their communicative values in Akan. Philosophical Papers and Review, 7(2), 22-23.


Our Ubuntu-inspired Comments Policy

Share this:

  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Use the form below to subscibe to Owia Bulletin.


Discover more from Africa Social Work & Development Network | Mtandao waKazi zaJamii naMaendeleo waAfrika

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Admin ASWDNet, All Posts Basket, Rugare Mugumbate

Post navigation

Previous Post: DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD (DAC): 16 JUNE 2023
Next Post: Cultural and spiritual artifacts of Africa stolen by colonising countries

More Related Articles

Dedan Kīmathi of the Mau Mau – contribution to Kenya independence and how he was killed by the British imperialist forces during their colonial occupation of Africa Admin ASWDNet
African student ASWNet Guide to Writing (Academic Research Brief| Proposal | Thesis) Admin ASWDNet
Incentives in Research Ethical Incentives in Research have a Foundation in Ubuntu Admin ASWDNet
Call to join Africa Day conversations Admin ASWDNet
12 steps to get published Admin ASWDNet
Karibu, could you please help with contact details (takes -5 minutes)? Admin ASWDNet

Comment (1) on “African symbols and their usefulness in social work and development”

  1. Christian Aluu says:
    3 December 2023 at 00:59

    I’m glad we have a medium on wish we can develope ideas and blueprints for social emancipation of Africa. Thank you to the initiator of this idea. I’m happy to be a member of this team.

    Loading...

Comments are closed.

AFRICA-WIDE INSTITUTIONS

ASWEA logo

ASWEA 1965-1989

Umoja waAfrika (AU) Former OAU Toto/Brief | Agenda63

ADF

Part of ADB

ASSWA logo

ASSWA

Since 2005

PAWO (AU Arm)

Facebook | X

COUNTRY INFORMATION (SOCIAL WORK & DEVELOPMENT)

  • Algeria 🇩🇿
  • Angola 🇦🇴
  • Benin 🇧🇯
  • Botswana 🇧🇼
  • Burkina Faso 🇧🇫
  • Burundi 🇧🇮
  • Cabo Verde 🇨🇻
  • Cameroon 🇨🇲
  • Central Africa Republic 🇨🇫
  • Chad 🇹🇩
  • Comoros 🇰🇲
    • Mayotte of Comoro
  • Congo, DR 🇨🇩
  • Congo 🇨🇬
  • Cote D’Ivoire 🇨🇮
  • Djibouti 🇩🇯
  • Egypt 🇪🇬
  • Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶
  • Eritrea 🇪🇷
  • Eswatini 🇸🇿
  • Ethiopia 🇪🇹
  • Gabon 🇬🇦
  • Gambia, The 🇬🇲
  • Ghana 🇬🇭
  • Guinea 🇬🇳
  • Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼
  • Kenya 🇰🇪
  • Lesotho 🇱🇸
  • Liberia 🇱🇷
  • Libya 🇱🇾
  • Madagascar 🇲🇬
  • Malawi 🇲🇼
  • Mali 🇲🇱
  • Mauritania 🇲🇷
  • Mauritius 🇲🇺
  • Morocco 🇲🇦
  • Mozambique 🇲🇿
  • Namibia 🇳🇦
  • Niger 🇳🇪
  • Nigeria 🇳🇬
  • Rwanda 🇷🇼
  • Sao Tome and Principe 🇸🇹
  • Senegal 🇸🇳
  • Seychelles 🇸🇨
  • Sierra Leone 🇸🇱
  • Somalia 🇸🇴
  • South Africa 🇿🇦
  • South Sudan 🇸🇸
  • Sudan 🇸🇩
  • Togo 🇹🇬
  • Tanzania 🇹🇿
  • Tunisia 🇹🇳
  • Uganda 🇺🇬
  • Western Sahara (SADR)
  • Zambia 🇿🇲
  • Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
  • “Dongo”
  • ‘Wakanda’
  • Umoja waAfrica (African Union)
  • Afro-Caribbeans
    • Haiti
  • Afro-Latinos
  • Melanesia
    • Aboriginal Countries
    • Papua New Guinea
    • West Papua
  • Afro-Asians ‘Sidi’

COVID-19 FINAL UPDATE: Africa Infections: 12.3 million people. Deaths 260 000. World infections: 650 million. Deaths 6.7 million. Data aggregated by ASWDNet on 12 December 2022. View this COVID-19 references list for Africa.

Search

Timezone Conversion

Choose Date & Time:
- :
From Timezone:
To Timezone:
Converted Time:

Decolonisation Calculator (DECA). What is the rate of decolonisation of social work and development training, education and research in your country? Use this simple calculator.

  • Program released for DAC Students Conference 2025
  • 2025 awards announced (Africa Social Work and Development Awards)
  • Using Ubuntu values to decolonise AI systems, Professor Mutambara, UJ
  • Citing local is the simplest way to empower African authors, journals and publishers
  • Ubuntu Online Course now available (free)

Testimonials

Pride in becoming a member of the ASWDNet

Dear ASWDN,

I trust this message finds you well. I am writing to express my profound joy and pride in becoming a member of the Africa Social Work and Development Network (ASWDNet). The opportunity to represent my country and community within this esteemed network is truly exciting. Being a part of ASWDNet presents a unique chance to contribute to positive change and development. Read more
  • IS A DEFINITIONAL THRESHOLD OF 18 YEARS FOR WHO A CHILD IS, PRACTICALLY APPLICABLE AND FEASIBLE? All Posts Basket
  • Now on the DHET list – The Journal of Development Administration (JDA) Writing and Publishing
  • Ubuntu Digital Platform now live! Decolonise
  • Voting in Africa - colonial or liberating
    Disputed elections and challenges of the democracy project in Africa All Posts Basket
  • The Dogon people and culture Admin ASWDNet
  • Israel-Palestine Conflict, African Union (AU) Positions and Lessons for Social Work and Development Admin ASWDNet
  • ASWNet Guide to Writing (Academic Research Brief| Proposal | Thesis) Admin ASWDNet
  • Promoting Sustainable Development: CJCU’s IPSD Program Empowers African Students Development

Copyright © 2020-2030 Africa Social Work and Development Network (ASWDNet).

 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.

    %d