Into Ancestorhood: Death as Continuity in Traditional West African Art

Symbols:

Some cultures, such as the Akan, of Ghana and the Ivory Coast, have developed idiographic symbols which represent proverbs and sayings that are culturally significant.  These symbols are then reflected in many varieties of art such as textiles, carvings, pottery, and architecture. [7]

HYE ANHYE - UNBURNABLE

This symbol represents the impenetrability of the human soul-our "toughness." [7]

This symbol relates directly to the idea of the interrelatedness of life and death.  It represents the proverb Nyame boo owuo na owuo kum Nyame; na Nyame na ote nanka aduro nti odii owuo so nkonim. Translated (poetically) this means:

The Akan believe that
The Creator created things;
When He created things,
He created Life;
When He created Life,
He created Death;
When He created Death,
Death killed Him;
When He died,
Life came into Him and woke Him up;
Thereafter, He lived forever. [7]