Fawohodie

Description of Fawohodie

The Fawohodie is considered to be a symbol of emancipation, freedom, and independence. It denotes the ability to chart one’s own course and determine one’s own fate without being constrained by factors from the outside world. This symbol is meant to represent the fight for freedom and independence for African people from colonialism and other forms of oppression. It is a useful reminder that people have the ability to take charge of their own lives and choose how they want to live them. People are encouraged to work towards their goals and aspirations without being held back by the norms or constraints of society when they see the Fawohodie symbol because it places an emphasis on the importance of self-determination and self-reliance.

Style Variations

Bold – Light – Outlined – Colorable
Each variation is included in the file package.

Adinkra main description

Adinkra Symbols

The Adinkra symbols come from West Africa, specifically a region that is modern-day Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. The symbols belonged to the Asante (or Ashanti) peoples, who would print them on cloth, as well as pottery and metalwork. The Asante people resisted British colonial rule when it arrived in West Africa. It may be for this reason that much cultural tradition and symbolism survives to this day. The word ‘adinkra’ means ‘farewell’ or ‘goodbye’ in the Twi language, spoken by the Asante people. For this reason, Adinkra cloth was worn often on special occasions, particularly funerals. The Adinkra symbols are closely tied to the history, beliefs and traditions of the Asante people. Each symbol represents a small number of simple concepts, meaning that Adinkra cloth would traditionally be printed using bespoke patterns, telling a story about the wearer that could be read by those knowledgeable enough to understand the underlying symbolism. The Adinkra symbols, and their meanings, have survived to the present day. Cloth displaying Adinkra symbols is now mass-produced in bright colors, using modern techniques and is very popular both in Africa and the wider world. This is not to say that the traditional weaving and printing methods have died out. It is still possible to find Adinkra cloth that has been made by hand, printed using natural inks and traditional techniques.