SPECULATIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ADINKRA SYMBOLISM AND FULANI COSMOGONY


Kofi Abua-iyen argues that the impetus for the development of this symbol in terms of macrocosmic relationships with conceptions of the human person emerged from contacts between Akan traders and Fulani pastoralists. The pastoralists introduced to Akan traders their sophisticated methods for generating conceptions of integration between discrete units in their environment with increasingly larger units so as to arrive at an integrated conception of the universe. The genius of this integrative technique constituted, among other striking factors, in its use of classifications of the various patterns in the coats of their cattle. These patterns were elaborated in terms of a symbolic scheme where they served as templates for integrating a broad range of observations of and conceptions on the nature of the universe, from the materiel and non-material constitution of the human person to the metaphysical constitution of the cosmos.

Akan thinkers eventually developed in abstract terms this technique of using a prominent aspect of the environment as a template for the broadest generalisations. This prominent environmental feature is represented in the Fulani scheme by the Fulani’s relationship with their cattle, an exceptionally close bond which inspired the Fulani to interpret their cattle and their qualities in terms of the most magnificent symbolism, from the terrestrial to the cosmic.

Akan thinkers developed this cognitive strategy in abstract terms by using non-naturalistic Adinkra symbolism as their template for creating correlations between the particular and the general. The move into visual abstraction facilitated ready recall of symbolic values and the ability to expand or contract the range of associations evoked by the stark simplicity of the symbol.

The initial impulse for the development of this conception is attributed to Kewrewen Wenton in the fifteenth century, who, reflecting on the Akan conception of Otweaduampon Nyame, the ground of existence, understood in terms of the scope of the cosmos, laid the foundations for a method of articulating the notion of ontological unity represented by the conception of Otweaduampon Nyame.




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