An asafo flag depicting a crocodile and fish, for instance, was a message to other companies and potential invaders the invaders were the fish, and the company the crocodile. The arts of asafo are displayed in public when members present their unique company colors, costumes, banners and flags. Most flags of of the asafocompanies can easily be handled by a flagdancer frankaatunyi or frankaakitsanyi during a festival or a ceremony with a spectacular danceperformance. The flag is quite simple, but it is also quite large and if that isnt a basking shark i cant imagine what it is. A version of the union jack was located in the top left or right corners of asafo flags during the colonial era, replaced later by ghana s flag after independence in 1957. The music and dance has very intricate rhythms and special dance choreography that. Asafo flags have a rough system that can be used to define the date of origin. Fante asafo flag frankaa ghana african art asafo flags. As the result of contact with european colonial powers on the gold coast presentday ghana, the fante, who inhabit the coastal region, developed an especially complex version of the concept in terms of its. This fante asafo flag measures 60 inches long by 39 inches wide. Framed african asafo tribe flag framed african asafo tribe flag ghana hand sewn cotton applique including birds and snails. The imagery asserts the wealth and power of the company and challenges its rivals, often through an associated proverb. Exotic exhibition of asafo flags from southern ghana opens. For those interested in these fante asafo flags, the book asafo fahnen aus ghana, by e.
Ghanaian culture on display at the royal ontario museum. The installation of a new asafo captain is the principal motivation for the creation of a flag. The flag is a cloth of solid color that is about three feet by five feet in dimensions. What sets the ghanaian flag apart from all the others is a single fivepointed black star in the center of the flag. Signup to view pricing on primitives oneofakind products more products may be available and awaiting photography.
For the asafo companies of western ghana, competition among groups took as much an aesthetic as a military form. Asafo flags have a rough system that can be used to define the date of origin with the british ensign often featured on flags before ghana achieved independence in 1957. I am an avid collector of fante asafo flags from ghana. Feb 15, 2014 experience the rich musical cultural traditions of the fantse community of the central region of ghana. Ghana is a unitary constitutional democracy led by a president who is both head of state and head of the government. Buy asafo flags from ghana our ship is ready to sail the european steamship with two masts is able to overcome terrible storms as it crosses vasts oceans is a metaphor for the readiness of the company to respond when confronted by internal and external threats. Shop tribal art and other folk, tribal and outsider art from the worlds best furniture dealers. The traditional role of the asafo companies was defence of the state. As the result of contact with european colonial powers on the gold coast presentday ghana, the fante, who inhabit the coastal region, developed an. The british union jack in the upper left indicates that the flag was made before ghanaian independence in 1957. The flag of ghana was designed to replace the colonial flag of british gold coast united kingdom upon attainment of independence in 1957.
The national flag of ghana was designed and adopted in 1957 and was flown until 1962, it was then reinstated in 1966. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Asafo flags, locally called frankaa, are paraded on festive occasions by mens military companies among the fante people of coastal ghana. Mid20th century fante asafo flag, ghana for sale at 1stdibs. Therefore asafo flags with the ghanaian ensign in one of the corners indicate that the flag was put together postindependence and thereby after 1957. Apparently asafo companies are numbered within the same. Mar 01, 2017 what the colours of the ghana flag mean to ghanaians 2017. Asafo flags after this date display the ghanaian flag. Originally published in the fall 2016 issue of the rom magazine. The first use of the current flag design was in 1957. Africa, can result in true african liberation and sustainable development.
The last change to the current ghanaian flag design was in 1957. Unveiling of asafo flags and ghanaian culture youtube. The fante asafo military flag at the snite museum of art duration. The republic of ghana is a one of those countries that has fought one of the longest battles for independence against their oppressors, finally gaining freedom on 6th march 1957. The royal ontario museum rom presents art, honour, and ridicule. Add your own text or lyrics to this video loop, the perfect choice for your video background. Ghana flags cost less and last longer from us flag store, the largest ghana flag vendor in the us. Moreover, asafo hotel map is available where all hotels in asafo are marked. We offer various expressions and variations of the flag of ghana.
Flag of ghana image and meaning ghanaian flag country flags. A version of the union jack was located in the top left or right corners of asafo flags during the colonial era, replaced later by ghanas flag after independence in 1957. The dia creates experiences that help each visitor find personal meaning in art. First, we learn from the akan asafo company the philosophy of unitytogetherness. Asafo are traditional warrior groups in akan culture. Asafo flags depict all manner of peoples and events, from simple fish to raging griffons, and each image is highly symbolic.
Therefore asafo flags with the ghanaian ensign in one of the corners indicate that the flag was put. Asafo african flags of the fante adler, peter, barnard, nicholas on. Very few flags are so big that they have to be escorted by many men, or to be presented at a companypost aban or posuban. The ghana flag was designed by mrs theodosia okoh, a ghanaian, to replace the flag of the united kingdom upon attainment of independence in 1957. The exhibition features flags, uniforms and musical instruments relating to the visual and performance art of the fante militias of the west african country of ghana. Flags made before ghanaian independence in 1957 have a version the british union jack flag in the corner, after that date some incorporate the ghana flag instead. They can be either a download link or an online generator. In earlier decades, asafo groups used these custom made flags as markers of group identity for parades and ceremonies. You can learn more about asafo flags in our current exhibition art, honour and ridicule.
Ghana flag video loop download royalty free video loops. The flag is made from commercially produced trade cloth with a fleurdelis background design. The lion represents the strongest animal the king of the jungle and, as such, the great protector. Jago, were linked by a telegraph wire in 1885, connecting the united kingdom to its west african colonies. If your flag is selected, the name or username you provide will be displayed publicly as credit.
Like the main flagmaker, its also opensource code here so any web developers who want to help out, feel free. It is a well known fact that the flag stands as the absolute symbol of power for any country and many facts and stories lead to its creation. It has a long history in ghana and may well have been in existence when the portuguese arrived in the region in the late 1400s. The flags were made from thin flimsy imported cloth and the effect of being hung outside for days at a time in all weathers. The reverse side can be appliqued with the same image, or the image can show through on the reverse side through a cutout in the flag. Largest uk tribal art fair brings together many experienced reputable dealers, each a specialist in fine tribal art drawn from all corners of the globe. What the colours of the ghana flag mean to ghanaians. The flagpoles of the posubans, the shrines of each company, proudly carry the flags aloft and the houses of asafo members adjacent to the shrine, as well as the shrine itself, are decked with strings of colourful colonial and ghanaian ensigns, flags are carried in processions and, most dynamically, there is a spectacular display of elaborate. These highquality icons may be used free of charge for noncommercial as well as commercial purposes. Fante flags represent the merger of two cultural traditions, the akan tradition of combining proverbs with mid20th century fante asafo flag, ghana for sale at 1stdibs. The roms new exhibition, art, honour, and ridicule. Asafo flags from southern ghana, has been selected as the winner of the robb l.
Apr 10, 2018 the origin of the format of asafo flags was also influenced by the british flag used in the west african region, and the gold coast from 1877 1957 as can be seen below. In fante communities of coastal ghana today, asafo flags are. These military companies use flags to represent, in vivid and graphic ways, the values and ethos of the group. The seven smaller figures are the flag owners who conquered the giant.
The marking of a special occasions or the installation of a new asafo chief supi are the main motivations for the creation of a new flag. The ghanaian flag is a horizontal triband with a star in the center. It consists of the panafrican colours of red, yellow, and green, in horizontal stripes, with a black fivepointed star in the centre of the gold stripe. A recent donation to mingei international, these colorful flags dating to the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries feature graphic folk imagery and appliqued designs on solid cotton grounds.
Fante flags represent the merger of two cultural traditions, the akan tradition of combining proverbs with visual imagery and the european heraldic tradition, which used flags and banners displaying royal arms in regimental colors. May 25, 2017 you can learn more about asafo flags in our current exhibition art, honour and ridicule. The location of each asafo hotel listed is shown on the detailed zoomable map. Asafo company flags along the gold coast in ghana, going back centuries, the structure of local civilization consisted of many small, fiercely independent, militaristic groups of fante people, who have survived and held their ground throughout british colonial rule. Ive seen some cool flags that have been made with a flag generator. Asafo flags from southern ghana takes a historical and contemporary look at asafo flags. Asafo flags are popular among the fantse of the coastal area. View this item and discover similar for sale at 1stdibs asafo flag in cotton applique patters.
The word derives from sa, meaning war, and fo, meaning people. Asafo flags, locally called frankaa asafo flags, locally called frankaa, are paraded on festive occasions by mens military companies among the fante people of coastal ghana. Asafo company flags with ghana flag canton fante people, ghana. I have one with a basking shark image, which does not exist off the coast of ghana. The used colors in the flag are red, green, yellow, black. It also contains the traditional panafrican colors of red, yellow, and green. The flag is embroidered with the elmina forts, established by the portuguese in 1482. Fante asafo flags from ghana archives adire african textiles. Vexillology the study of flags good flag, bad flag the 5 basic principles of flag design. Asafo flags are created by the fante people of ghana. The national flag of ghana was designed and adopted in 1957 and was flown until 1962, and then reinstated in 1966.
Popular motifs on asafo flags from southern ghana royal. Anyone is free to edit your design andor use it as their own. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Curator gus caselyhayford looks at the origins and history of the asafo flags, made by the fante people of the gold coast of africa, now known as ghana. Professionally backed, stretched and mounted on pine. Fante asafo flag appliqued frankaa ghana african art. Popular motifs on asafo flags from southern ghana social. The asafo flags of southern ghana which is a collection by silvia forni, a curator african arts and cultures at rom will be on display at the museum for the public from september, 2016 till. It consists of the panafrican colours of red, gold, and green, in horizontal stripes, with a black fivepointed star in the centre of the gold stripe. Affordable and search from millions of royalty free images, photos and vectors. Asafo flag making in ghana the ghanaian town of cape coast is alive with flags they flutter in the wind at the harbour and are used by local asafo. Asafo flags from ghana mingei international museum. Your email address, if provided, will not be shared with anyone and will be used to contact you only once in the event that your flag design is selected.
The symbols on the flag are appliqueed and occasionally embroidered. Please wash your hands and practise social distancing. Its applique figures were copied from paper patterns. Flag detective does not claim to host all of the flags of the world on this site and while we strive to maintain an. Asafo flags of the fante showcases colorful flags from the fante people of ghana in west africa. When kwame nkrumah organized the convention peoples party in 1949 to work toward more selfgovernment for the native african peoples of the british gold coast, a flag was. Asafo flags from southern ghana, this fall as part of its of africa project. Although the exact origins of asafo flags are unclear, there are reports of their use dating back at least to the early 18th c. A traditional ghanaian asafo flag is made and used in a dance.
For sale on 1stdibs a large and graphically stunning asafo flag. Ghanas growing economic prosperity and democratic political system have made it a regional power in west africa. The ghanaian flag was the second african flag after the flag of the ethiopian. Acquisition of the asafo flags made possible through the generosity of the mona campbell endowment fund. Large single cotton panel with applique lion, union jack in upper left and colorful border. Traditionally used by fante asafo civilian militia companies as visual communication signifying their strength, solidarity, and power over enemies, the flags are.
Genuine flags were individually ordered, usually from a professional flag maker, by asafo society officers, to mark their promotion to a higher rank, and the design was a carefully thought out project intended to communicate a specific saying or to mark a particular historical event. The giant figure in the middle is probably kweku amamfe, representing one of the original inhabitants of fanteland before the fante came. A great visual of the ghanaian flag, a great symbol of national pride. It is the responsibility of the incumbent to commission and pay for the ensign, which then becomes the collective property of his company. It was flown until 1959, and then reinstated in 1966. It consists of the pan african colours of red, yellow, and green, in horizontal stripes, with a black fivepointed star in the centre of the gold stripe. Keep up with our everexpanding variety of flags and be first to get notified of special promotions. The ghana flag is designed like many other flags around the world in that it contains three horizontal stripes of color. The origin of the format of asafo flags was also influenced by the british flag used in the west african region, and the gold coast from 1877 1957 as can be seen below. Jarig bakker, 04 january 2000, quoting from akan art page at marshall university. These flags are the insignia created for the numerous military asafo companies of the fante states along the coast of southern ghana. Ghana lies in the tropics and blessed with rich vegetation. Newer flags made to be sold usually use an image of the british union jack rather than the post 1957 ghanaian flag.
The ghanaian flag was the second african flag after the flag of the ethiopian empire to feature these colours. Geographical and political facts, flags and ensigns of ghana. Asafo company flags with ghana flag canton fante people. It consists of the pan african colours of red, gold, and green, in horizontal stripes, with a black fivepointed star in the centre of the gold stripe. The committee was unanimous that this work makes outstanding scholarly contributions to a littlestudied significant tradition, notably in recognizing and identifying artists and workshops, their innovative transformations over time, and the flags deep. Asafo flags once ragged militia groups in coastal guinea and togo, the asafo groups of the fante people are now robust political and social organizations. Warfare is not something that takes place only in the battlefield.