4.3 The functions of adinkra

This is a small cloth for a female. You wear it in this way. They open their legs and put the cloth back, to cover their body in this way. And the other one for the blouse, and the other one for the top. That’s for the female.

And the man, the man can wear, the man can wear ……, that is black cloth. For example, this is a mourning cloth. Just open it, and put your left hand in and bring the hand, right hand out, fold it up to your arms and tie it to you. Now you can go - wherever you want to go!

(SINGING AND MUSIC AT FUNERAL Duration)

Dark red and black cloths are worn for funerals, especially Adinkra cloths, printed with symbols chosen for their meaning.

The head of the family must be in the red, then others in the family who ….., who also wear. Only to show to people that they have lost an important person, we have suffered a loss.

All others can wear black.

Modern, printed cloths are also used for solemn occasions. Here, the ram’s horn symbol has been interpreted for Christian use.

This is a small family, who are Catholic, and we have lost our beloved father on the 29th of November. So, we buried him yesterday and came for the Thanksgiving at the Cathedral.

Can you tell us why you chose that particular Adinkra print?

It looks like a sign of victory, which our father has won on earth here. Because it is only Jesus who brings victory. Therefore, it is a symbol of victory, our father has won on this earth. That’s why the design is like that.