Unity Pendant

During 2016 Bead Hunt Funky Frog made a big order from the Kokofrom Cooperative outside Kumasi. The process these metal smiths are using is the same as their ancestors… back then it was gold now it is any metal they can get their hands on!! If you would like to see the intricate process check out the blog here …

While there we browsed and some fun beads and pendants already made that we found beautiful, caught our eye. This Pendant is part of that batch.

It is an oval 2″ x 1 3/4″ with an embossed Adinkra Symbol, the Siamese Crocodiles, a symbol of Unity.

Wikipedia says this about Adinkra Symbols:
‘Adinkra are visual symbols, originally created by the Ashanti, that represent concepts or aphorisms. Adinkra are used extensively in fabrics, pottery, logos and advertising. They are incorporated into walls and other architectural features. Fabric adinkra are often made by woodcut sign writing as well as screen printing. Adinkra symbols appear on some traditional Akan goldweights. The symbols are also carved on stools for domestic and ritual use. Tourism has led to new departures in the use of the symbols in such items as T-shirts and jewelry.

The symbols have a decorative function but also represent objects that encapsulate evocative messages that convey traditional wisdom, aspects of life or the environment. There are many different symbols with distinct meanings, often linked with proverbs. ‘