Akan culture

Ghanaian fabric made of strips that are woven from silk, cotton or rayon using horizontal looms

thumb|The sankofa symbol '''' (pronounced SAHN-koh-fah) is a word in the Akan language of Ghana meaning "to retrieve" (literally "go back and get"; - to return; - to go; - to fetch, to seek and take) This Adinkra symbol represented either with a stylized heart shape or by a bird with its head turned backwards while its feet face forward carrying a precious egg in its mouth. Sankofa is often associated with the proverb, "Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi''," which translates as: "It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten."

Ashanti Queen (1730-1760)

The Sasabonsam, or sometimes Asanbosam, or asasabonsam, is a vampire-like folkloric being from the Akan people. It belongs to the folklore of the Akan of southern Ghana, as well as Côte d'Ivoire, Togo and 18th century Jamaica from enslaved Akan. It is said to have iron teeth and long hair and lives in trees, attacking from above. In the forests of West Africa, there were rules of renewal, and the Sasabonsam would enforce these rules. They take up territory in the trees in the forests, where they live and feed on people that wander into their home. It becomes a territorial aspect for them. Whil

In the spiritual practices of the Ashanti people and Akan people, the sunsum is one's spirit. The sunsum is what connects the body (honam) to the soul (kra). The sunsum can be transmitted in a variety of ways, including from father to son during conception. This power is used to protect the carriers of this spirit. When a man dies, the sunsum returns to the metaphorical house of the father in wait to be reincarnated in the next son born of the men of that family.

Ghanaian weight made of brass used by the Akans

Aduana is one of the Eight major Akan clans of Ghana. It is also the second largest clan in terms of population.

thumb|300px|Asafo flag, No. 2 Company; created by Akwa Osei, Ghana, Fante people; c. 1900, Cotton and rayon, embroidery and appliqué thumb|Asafo flag, No. 1 Company

Abusua is the name in Akan culture for a group of people that share common maternal ancestry governed by seven major ancient abosom (deities). The Abusua line is considered to be passed through the mother's blood (). There are several Abusua that transcend the different ethnic subgroups outside of the ancient seven. People of the same Abusua share a common ancestor somewhere within their bloodline, which may go back as far as thousands of years. It is a taboo to marry someone from the same Abusua. The different Abusua are the Agona (parrot), the Aduana (dog), the Asenie (bat), Oyoko (falcon/h

thumb|Ahenema slippers Ahenema is a traditional, royal slipper worn by the Kings, Queens and children of the Akan, Ga, and Ewe ethnic groups in Ghana. This traditional slipper came to be worn by anyone to events such as festivals, funerals, wedding ceremonies and church.

Ghanaian tradition of Akans

The Ntoro is the spiritual-genetic aspect of the father which the Akan people believe is passed on to his children. These 12 Ntoro are considered inherited deities (spirits) who govern guide and protect their 12 clans patrilineally. The Akan believe that the Ntoro does not die with the father. Instead, it is passed down to the man's children, or if the children are not alive, to his nephews and nieces. The father's Ntoro represents the being of the child until the child comes of age. At this point the Ntoro along with the Sunsum and Kra explains how one interacts in the world. The Ntoro is thu