1. Adinkra Cloth
Writing and Art

2. Ghana is located in Western Africa, along the coastline.
Adinkra cloth, made in Ghana, is decorated with stamped designs

3. The word, “Adinkra”, means “good-bye” and the cloth was originally worn when guests were departing or at funerals

4. Today, they are also stamped onto white or brightly colored cloth
Traditionally, the designs were stamped in glossy black ink onto matte black or brown cloth.
Today, they are also stamped onto white or brightly colored cloth

5. This is John Kofi Nsiah from Ghana.
John Kofi Nsiah is a weaver, adinkra stamp carver and an adinkra cloth printer

6. Stamps are carved from calabashes - or gourds - which are also used to carry liquids, grains and shea butter

7. Uncarved pieces of gourd and carved stamps

8. A collection of carved stamps ready for printing.

9. Adinkra cloth designer using one of the stamps carved by
John Kofi Nsiah.

11. Men wearing stamped (ntiamu) adinkra cloths.

15. Off My Back Kwesi Owusu-Ankomah born 1956, Ghana 1995 Acrylic on canvas H x W: x cm (61 7/8 x 83 3/8 in.)
Contemporary artists use symbols such as Adinkra, in their own artworks

16. Student Work