The Facts on African Symbols!
by Africa Rox
Drums
-A form of communication.
-Expresses the mood of the people
-Evokes emotion
-Considered to be the “heartbeat of the community”
Animals
-Turtles represent wisdom
-Lions represent bravery
-Leopards represent royalty
Kente Cloth (mainly Ghana)
-Black: maturation, intensified spiritual energy
-Blue: peacefulness, harmony and love
-Green: vegetation, planting, harvesting, growth, spiritual renewal
-Gold: royalty, wealth, high status, glory, spiritual purity
-Grey: healing and cleansing rituals; associated with ash
-Maroon: the color of mother earth; associated with healing
-Pink: associated with the female essence of life; a mild, gentle aspect of red
-Purple: associated with feminine aspects of life; usually worn by women
-Red: associated with political and spiritual moods, sacrificial rites and death.
-Silver: associated with the serenity, purity, joy, sanctification rites and festive occasions
-Yellow: associated with preciousness, royalty, wealth, fertility
Masks
-Many represents a spirit. It is thought that the spirit possesses the dancer as they wear the mask.
Totems (in Zimbabwe)
-These Totems also know as Mitupos were used by the Mashona to identify the different clans that made up the ancient civilizations of the dynasties.
-The Zimbabweans uses the Mbira to govern the weather in times such as droughts and floods. It also chases away harmful spirits and cures sickness. The Mbira is used in all celebrations, such as weddings and the installation of new chiefs, as well as death ceremonies.
-A totem is anything serving as a distinctive, venerated, symbol (like a totem pole)
Some Nigerian symbols
-Initiation masks of the Mende - Women considered “foundation” of society
-Large Benin Ivory tusks were a sign of power, reserved only for the royalty
-Coral Beads - represented power and wealth
