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Ntoma Fabric Patterns and their Proverbial Symbolism Part1

By Vanessa Danso
Beauty & Fashion Ntoma Fabric Patterns and their Proverbial Symbolism Part1
JAN 9, 2016 LISTEN

Ow don't we just love Ntoma fabrics! I absolutely love their patterns, the vibrancy of the colors, and most of all the symbolism and story behind them. I remember always being flabbergasted when I would join my mam into a fabric store and she would know exactly what most of the patters are and what they would mean. I thought to myself... I wanna know all these too. I want myself and all of you readers to know the different patterns that are out there (the most timeless ones) so you may be able to choose the appropriate one for yourself or as a gift for someone else. So by all means, sit back and relax. Because I will be discussing all these gorgeous pieces you see in the picture below (some were double but just in another color). Oh and by the way... all pictures were taken by yours truly. Let's go.

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AHWENE PA N'KASA
"Ahwene Pa N'kasa" or translated means good beads don't talk. It's a proverb that basically means that one's actions will speak for you. So in other words, if you do good then people will notice all the good virtues without you intentionally trying to express it.

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SIKA WO NTABAN
"Sika Wo Ntaban" or also translated as "Money has Wings" means that money has a very good talent for disappearing on you. You may think you have it one moment and before you know it's gone or no longer available. Love this pattern a lot.

sika2bwo2bntaban

DI3 NYAME AY3 AMAME
"Di3 Nyame Ay3 Amame" means what God has done for me. I actually bought this piece after my research just because I felt I had a whole lot to be grateful for. I could relate to it.

Love the vibrant colors on this one.

di32bnyame2bay32bamame

ANANSE NTONTAN
"Ananse Ntontan" means spider web. Just about every Ghanaian knows about the famous Ananse stories. Ananse symbolizes wisdom, creativity and all the complexities that comes with life.

Oh I love the colors on this one too.

ananse2bntontan

OBAAPA
"Obaapa" means good woman. I really like this particular patter for myself (wink wink), but it's also a beautiful statement piece to give away to a woman. It gives acknowledgement to the good virtues a woman possesses and that are appreciated and valued.

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AKYEKYEDE AKYI
"Akyekyede Akyi" means the back of a tortoise. Now if you look carefully at the pattern, you'll see just that.

This pattern was actually created based on the following proverb: "Huriee si akyekyede akyi a, osi ho kwa". Which basically means that there is absolutely no point in doing things or engaging yourself in activities that will be of no benefit to you and that will get you nowhere. Love these colors too!

akyekyede2bakyi

ABANKABAN
"Abankaba" means handcuffs, and it actually comes from the saying "Efie ye a anka abankaba nna me nsa" This basically means that all is not well else I would not be in handcuffs. This piece has a bit of a political tint to it. It sort of reflects the injustice and loss of faith in the government.

i4ep27sgf0abankaba

SENKYE BRIDGE (ADOMI BRIDGE)
This pattern was created to honor the only suspension bridge that was built under President Nkrumah's time and this is located at Adomi in the Eastern Region.

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AMA SERWAAH
This cloth was named after a very popular Ashanti queen called Ama Serwaah, so much so that parents even wanted to name their daughters after her. She was the 6th Asantehemaa that ruled during the reigns of Osei Tutu Kwame Asiba in the early 1800's.

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FELICIA
This pattern was also named after a lady named Felicia but not much information was found about her nor of the pattern symbolism. Do love the colors of it.

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EFIE ABOSEAA
"Efie Aboseaa" means courtyard pebbles. This pattern was actually derived from the saying "Se ofie aboseaa twa wo a eye ya sen abonten so dee" Which actually means that when you get hurt by the people you are closest to, it hurts more than someone who is not close to you. Which is so true. Colors are fab!

efie2baboseaa

AKONFEM
"Akonfem" means Guinee fowls, the only thing I could find about this pattern is that these animals usually move in groups, so if you should find one by itself, do not mistake it being alone for loneliness for its group may be nearby.

ydtg8kj776akonfem

TWA BENKUM (FA BENKUM)
"Fa Benkum" is derived from the Akan proverb saying : "Y3n fa benkum nkyire y3 fie kwan" which means, we don't use our left to show the direction to our house. In Ghana it's a general knowledge that using your left hand in giving something or in expressing or showing something is frowned upon, and even disrespectful. Simply because we use the left hand for things that are considered "not nice" such as wiping your behind. Intense proverb I would say, but are we loving the pattern and colors on this piece or what :-) !

twa2bbenkum

KOFI ANNAN ADWEN
This pattern was created in honor of Mr. Kofi Annan. The seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, I think this man deserves his own pattern, yes we are very proud!

kofi2banna2badwen

Well, we got through the first part of the "Ntoma Patterns and their Proverbial Symbolism" edition. I hope this was quite helpful and informative to you as it has been for me. I'm pretty sure there will be a continuation of this first edition published soon, so until then just let me know which one you like best. xoxo

(Source: African Traditional and Oral Literature As Pedagogical Tools in Content Area, authors : Mr.Lewis Asimeng-Boahene and Mr.Michael Baffoe, click "here" to read more in-depth information.)

Originating at www.eclectickyeiessa.com

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