African art Adinkra Ashanti cloth Ghana fabric hand stamped West Africa

A very nice old ( 1970s ) and authentic "Man" size Adinkra ( Ashanti, Akan ) cloth. Adinkra cloths are used in Ghana for centuries.

The cloth is hand painted and hand embossed and is embroidered together.

This cloth is stamped with various Adinkra symbols.

The size of the cloth is 135" x 82'' ( 342 cm x 208 cm ) and is in good condition with the exception of holes, 1 repair and and some wear due to age and usage.

The stamping blocks are carved from Calabash.

The natural dye is made from the bark of the "badie" tree that is heated with iron slag for 3 to 5 days until is thick.

The artist used different stamping blocks ( Adinkra symbols ) to give his design.

A Legend in Ghana says that ADINKRA ( Nana Kofi Adinkra ) was a famous king of GYAMAN ( Now Ivory Coast ) that entered into war with Asantahene BONSU-PANYIN ( Ashanti King ) Adinkra was defeated and captured in a battle.

The tradition had it that Nana Adinkra wore patterned cloth, which was interpreted as a way of expressing his sorrow on being taken to Kumasi the capital of Asante.