Ghana; Ghana--Social life and customs; Gold Coast; Weights and measures; Measuring instruments
The trade in gold across Africa’s Sahara desert, called the Trans-Saharan gold trade, dominated West African commerce from the 7th to the 14th centuries. In search of gold for coinage, Arabs from the Mediterranean made annual camel treks across...
Scales (Weighing instruments); Weights and measures; Ghana; Gold Coast; Akan (African people); Akan (African people)--Ghana--Social life and customs
The trade in gold across Africa’s Sahara desert, called the Trans-Saharan gold trade, dominated West African commerce from the 7th to the 14th centuries. In search of gold for coinage, Arabs from the Mediterranean made annual camel treks across...
Africa; Ghana; Ashanti (African people); Kente cloth; Kente cloth -- Ghana; Hand weaving; Handicraft -- Africa; Africa, Art
This cloth strip is very special. It was made in the Ghanaian village, Wonoo, world-renowned as one of the centers of manufacture for Asante kente cloth. This strip was purchased from a shop owned by Nana Asante-Frempong, one of many premiere...
Boxes; Gold Coast; Akan (African people); Akan (African people)--Ghana--Social life and customs
The trade in gold across Africa’s Sahara desert, called the Trans-Saharan gold trade, dominated West African commerce from the 7th to the 14th centuries. In search of gold for coinage, Arabs from the Mediterranean made annual camel treks across...
Drum; Akan (African people); Akan (African people)--Ghana--Social life and customs; Ghana; Musical instruments; Percussion instruments
Certain African drums are called “talking drums.” Skilled drummers can create such a range of sound from them that it seems as if they can speak. This drum, called “atumpan,” is a type of talking drum used by the Akan peoples of Ghana. They...
Akan (African people); Akan (African people) -- Social life and customs; Ghana; Ghana -- Social life and customs; Stools; Furniture
Personal stools are very important among the Akan peoples of Ghana. Among the Asante (a sub-group of the Akan), there is a very special bond between a person and his/her stool. An Asante proverb states, "There are no secrets between a man and...
Scales (Weighing instruments); Weights and measures; Gold Coast; Akan (African people); Akan (African people)--Ghana--Social life and customs
The trade in gold across Africa’s Sahara desert, called the Trans-Saharan gold trade, dominated West African commerce from the 7th to the 14th centuries. In search of gold for coinage, Arabs from the Mediterranean made annual camel treks across...
Headgear; Ghana; Ghana--Social life and customs; Togo--Social life and customs; Helmets; 1960s
Helmets like this one, called ipiedza, are worn by hunters and warriors among peoples of northern Ghana and Togo in Western Africa during festivals associated with hunting and war. The cow horns represent the large animal's power and strength. Used...
Implements, utensils, etc.; Spoons; Gold Coast; Ghana; Akan (African people); Akan (African people)--Social life and customs
The trade in gold across Africa’s Sahara desert, called the Trans-Saharan gold trade, dominated West African commerce from the 7th to the 14th centuries. In search of gold for coinage, Arabs from the Mediterranean made annual camel treks across...
Shekere is a general name that refers to beaded gourd rattles that originated in Africa. They come in many shapes and sizes, are played in a variety of styles, and have many different names. In Africa they are found primarily in West Africa in the...
Pots; Containers; Akan (African people); Akan (African people)--Social life and customs; Ghana; Elephants in art
This elephant most likely served as a "proverb pot." Among Akan peoples of Ghana, animal imagery often stands for proverbs, short, traditional sayings that express beliefs, lessons or truths. One Akan proverb states: "When an...
Masks; Senufo (African people); Senufo (African people)--Social life and customs; Co^te d'Ivoire; Burkina Faso; Ghana; Mali; Africa, West; Rites and ceremonies
This type of mask, called kpelie, is worn among Senufo peoples of Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Mali in West Africa. It combines a human face with features of different animals. The face is meant to represent the Senufo ideal of female...
