African Cultural Painting, "Traditional Symbols"

Joseph Adibleku pays tribute to the ancestors and their wisdom through Ghana's traditional adinkra symbols. He depicts them as though on squares of cloth that are sewn together. At the top to the left, funtunfunefu dnkyemfunefu or Siamese crocodiles form a cross with their slender bodies. They represent democracy and unity in diversity. Beside them are four ovals known as mate masie – "What I hear, I keep." They signify wisdom, knowledge and prudence. On the lower left, pempamsie stands for readiness and steadfastness. To the right, the twisting nkyinkyim means initiative, dynamism and versatility. "These symbols were used in the olden days as means of communication," the artist explains.