Goldweights and Proverbs

[Ɔkyeame Kwame]

Goldweights and Proverbs

Wisdom Knot
The knot tied by a wiseman cannot be undone by a fool.



The leader's right to his higher position by virtue of his greater wisdom.

A square, reef or Hercules knot design is often featured on objects of leadership art.

Hornbill Caught by a Snake
Although the snake does not fly, it has caught the hornbill, whose home is in the sky.



Optimism and patience.

According to legend, the hornbill was deeply indebted to the snake but did not pay its debts because it reasoned that it could always fly away if the snake tried to catch it. This tactic was successful until it got careless one day and the snake, which had been quietly and patiently for just this opportunity, caught it.

Headless Fish
How a fish should not be divided. The story associated with this goldweight is of a man who caught a fish and gave the head to his "head" first and older wife, and the rest (the edible part) to his second, younger and favorite wife. The head wife killed herself with grief over the insult, and the chief had his goldsmith make a goldweight in the form of a headless fish as a reminder of the discord that follows an unjust action.



Ivory Side-Blown Warhorns with Attached Enemy Jawbone Trophies
If a horn deserves a jawbone, they attach one to it.



A recognition of valor must be earned.

The jawbones of defeated enemies were attached to a leader's warhorns as emblems of bravery, but also as a warning to potential enemies. Such use also dishonored the enemy, because warhorns sang the praises of their owners, and the sounds now emerged through the very jaws of those whom he had slain.
Shield Framework
When a shield wears out, the framework still remains.


Men die, but their words and works live on, or, a person's true nature does not change, but may only be revealed through adversity.

Porcupine
You can tell from the quills of a porcupine whether he is prepared to fight or not.

The readiness of the Asante nation to wage war on its enemies.

One should never rub bottoms with a porcupine.

Don't get into an altercation with someone who has more power than you do - such as the chief - or you will certainly be the loser.

The porcupine, or kotoko, is the Asante national emblem, and the motto "Kum apem a, apem beba" (Kill a thousand, a thousand will come) in reference to its quills as symbols of Asante warriors, is still quoted.
Two Birds Confronted over a Cockroach
Fowls will not spare a cockroach that falls in their midst.

He who falls victim to his enemies can expect little mercy.

A Flock of Birds on a Tree
Only birds of the same clan or species play together on the same tree.

Class consciousness: Birds of a feather flock together.

Chicken Head
You do not need a big stick to break a thingy's head.

A plea for appropriate action: small issues call for small responses, more important ones call for more serious action. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.

Leopard
The rain wets the leopard's spots but does not wash them off.

The leopard cannot change its spots; a man's true nature will not change.
http://www.fa.indiana.edu/~conner/akan/proverb.html