Akoma's Blessings (2016)

" I was born on a sunny day.

 No darkness was planted inside of me.

I was made to master the clouds and

 my journey won’t end before I am done.

The road is long. My load is heavy.

But deep in my heart I know what will be 

for I am blessed.

I am Akoma. "

Akoma’s Blessings is a tribute to the African woman. Of all my paintings, it is the one that contains the most symbols. They represent the gifts she was granted to face adversities of this world. She is patience and tolerance and this is actually the meaning of her name, Akoma which is the heart shaped symbol on her chest. She is also strength and humility.

 Now find below the meaning of each symbol.

Let’s start with the wooden stick that she can use as a weapon, a staff or a scepter. I chose wood rather than gold metal as a material for this courageous queen in order to emphasize her humble nature. The emblem at the top, Aya, is a fern, meaning endurance and resourcefulness.

Then from the top to the bottom of the stick :

- Nyame Nti (by God’s grace) : symbol of faith and trust in God.

- Adinkrahene : greatness, charisma, authority, importance of leadership and royalty. It is the chief symbol of Adinkra

- Odo Nnyew Fie Kwan (Love never loses its way home) : the power of love

On her scarf, starting from the shoulder

- Ananse Ntontan (the spider web) : wisdom and creativity

- Akoma (the heart) : patience and tolerance

- Denkyem (the crocodile) : ability to adapt to circumstances. « Just like the crocodile lives underwater but comes to surface to breath the air. » (adinkra.org)

- Nkonsonkonson (chain links) : humility and human relations

- Wawa Aba (seed of the wawa tree): hardiness, toughness and perseverance

- Nya Gyidie : exhortation to have faith

The shield holds seven symbols from left to right :

- Sankofa (return and get it) : the capacity to use experiences from the past to help building the future.

- Ese Ne Tekrema (the teeth and the tongue) : friendship and interdependance. « The tongue and the teeth have interdependent roles in the mouth. They may come into conflict but they have to work together. » (Adinkra.org).

- Mate Masie (I understand) : wisdom, prudence, knowledge. Prudence to take into consideration what another person has said.

- Dwennimmen (ram’s horns) : humility and strength.

- Akofena (sword of war) : courage, valor and heroism

- Mpuannum (five tufts of hair) : loyalty, commitment, priestly office and adroitness. It is also the hairstyle of the priestesses and joy.

- Nsoromma (the star) : means child of heavens and reminds that God watches over everyone.

Akoma’s necklace bears the Hye Won Hye symbol meaning that which does not burn. « It refers to priests who were able to walk on fire without burning their feet. It is an inspiration to others to endure and overcome difficulties » (adinkra.org). She is also wearing a Gye Nyame bracelet on her biceps as a proof of loyalty to her Creator. 

Akoma’s Blessings is a tribute to the African woman. Of all my paintings, it is the one that contains the most symbols. They represent the gifts she was granted to face adversities of this world. She is patience and tolerance and this is actually the meaning of her name, Akoma which is the heart shaped symbol on her chest. She is also strength and humility.

 Now find below the meaning of each symbol.

Let’s start with the wooden stick that she can use as a weapon, a staff or a scepter. I chose wood rather than gold metal as a material for this courageous queen in order to emphasize her humble nature. The emblem at the top, Aya, is a fern, meaning endurance and resourcefulness.

Then from the top to the bottom of the stick :

- Nyame Nti (by God’s grace) : symbol of faith and trust in God.

- Adinkrahene : greatness, charisma, authority, importance of leadership and royalty. It is the chief symbol of Adinkra

- Odo Nnyew Fie Kwan (Love never loses its way home) : the power of love

On her scarf, starting from the shoulder

- Ananse Ntontan (the spider web) : wisdom and creativity

- Akoma (the heart) : patience and tolerance

- Denkyem (the crocodile) : ability to adapt to circumstances. « Just like the crocodile lives underwater but comes to surface to breath the air. » (adinkra.org)

- Nkonsonkonson (chain links) : humility and human relations

- Wawa Aba (seed of the wawa tree) : hardiness, toughness and perseverance

- Nya Gyidie : exhortation to have faith

The shield holds seven symbols from left to right :

- Sankofa (return and get it) : the capacity to use experiences from the past to help building the future.

- Ese Ne Tekrema (the teeth and the tongue) : friendship and interdependance. « The tongue and the teeth have interdependent roles in the mouth. They may come into conflict but they have to work together. » (Adinkra.org).

- Mate Masie (I understand) : wisdom, prudence, knowledge. Prudence to take into consideration what another person has said.

- Dwennimmen (ram’s horns) : humility and strength.

- Akofena (sword of war) : courage, valor and heroism

- Mpuannum (five tufts of hair) : loyalty, commitment, priestly office and adroitness. It is also the hairstyle of the priestesses and joy.

- Nsoromma (the star) : means child of heavens and reminds that God watches over everyone.

Akoma’s necklace bears the Hye Won Hye symbol meaning that which does not burn. « It refers to priests who were able to walk on fire without burning their feet. It is an inspiration to others to endure and overcome difficulties » (adinkra.org). She is also wearing a Gye Nyame bracelet on her biceps as a proof of loyalty to her Creator. 

'' I was born on a sunny day. No darkness was planted inside of me. I was made to master the clouds and my journey won’t end before I am done. The road is long. My load is heavy.

But deep in my heart I know what will be 

for I am blessed. I am Akoma.''

                      .....................................