Linguist Staffs in Ghana-gctid23577

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

Linguist's staff (Okyeame poma) Magnificent gold-covered staffs are carried by high-ranking officials within the courts of Akan chiefs in Ghana. The Akan place an enormous emphasis on speech. The spoken word, in the form of axioms; proverbs and stories, is the repository of Akan custom and values. A complete mastery of proverbial lore, combined with an eloquent and insightful way of conveying it, is considered the mark of intellect of highly esteemed individuals. Those who possess this knowledge and an articulate command of language may be appointed as court linguists, the most important non-royal court officials. Court linguists play an invaluable role in Akan circles of leadership. Their vast knowledge and superior diplomacy make them essential as counselors, ambassadors, legal experts, and historians. The finials of the linguist’s staffs commonly illustrate proverbs and axioms that assert the ruler's legitimacy and capabilities or praise the ruler's experience and sagacity. At public functions, the okyeame (linguist) carries a staff (or mace) of authority. The staff is usually carved from wood and may be coated with gold leaf. Usually the top part of the staff is a symbol designed to communicate specific messages either about the status and authority of the okyeame or the message he, as a diplomat, is authorized to convey on behalf of the king at specific public functions.

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

FAMILY STAFF AKAN CULTURAL SYMBOLS PROJECT © G. F. Kojo Arthur and Robert Rowe -     1998-2001 WOOD     CARVINGS   ADWA-STOOL       POMA-STAFF       FURNITURE AND CARVED DOOR       DOLLS/COMBS       UMBRELLA FINIALS
The okyeame is the king's     counselor, confidant, orator and diplomat. The term linguist does not fully capture the     role and functions of the okyeame in the rich cultural heritage of the Akan.               At public functions, the okyeame     carries a staff (or mace) of authority. The staff is usually carved from wood and may be     coated with gold leaf. Usually the top part of the staff is a symbol designed to     communicate specific messages either about the status and authority of the okyeame or the     message he, as a diplomat, is authorized to convey on behalf of the king at specific     public functions. A collection of Akyeame Mpoma     (Linguists' staffs) OKYEAME POMA     (LINGUIST'S STAFF) Sankofa
OBAKOFOO MMU OMAN -     ONE PERSON DOES NOT RULE A NATION		OBAKOFOO MMU OMAN -     ONE PERSON DOES NOT RULE A NATION Symbol of PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY, WARNING AGAINST     DICTATORIAL RULE, and PLURALITY OF IDEAS         From the maxim: Obakofoo mmu oman.         Literal translation: One person does not rule a nation.             The Akan belief is that democratic rule requires consultation, open discussion, consensus     building, and coalition formation. The use of the Queen mother as a co-ruler and the     Council of state or council of elders are examples of Akan forms of participatory     democracy depicted by this symbol.
NEA ADUANE WO NO - THE     FOOD OWNER		NEA ADUANE WO NO -     THE FOOD OWNER         Symbol of PROPERTY RIGHTS and INHERITANCE RIGHTS.          From the maxim: Nea aduane wo no na odi, na     nnye nea okom de no a.      Literal translation: It is     the rightful owner of the food who gets to eat it, not the hungry person.      Property belongs to its rightful owner, not the desperate     person in need. The symbol depicts the Akan notion that rules of succession are not based on need; they     are based on rightful access.
ASEMPA YE     TIA - TRUTH IS BRIEF		ASEMPA YE     TIA - TRUTH IS BRIEF Symbol of PEACE AND STABILITY, ELOQUENCE, DIPLOMACY,     BREVITY OF SPEECH, and TRUTH From the maxim: Asem pa ye tia.         Literal translation: A good case is argued in brief. Truth in argument need not belabored.             This staff symbolizes the diplomatic essence of the okyeame as     the one who stands for peace stability in society. It also represents the skill of the     okyeame to utilize the power of the spoken word in conflict resolution such as in court     cases and in diplomatic negotiations to ensure peace and stability.
SANKOFA - GO BACK AND       RETRIEVE		SANKOFA     - GO BACK AND RETRIEVE         Symbol of WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, and the PEOPLE'S     HERITAGE         From the aphorism: Se wo were fi na wosan     kofa a, yenkyi.         Literal translation: There is nothing wrong with learning from hindsight.             The symbol is based on a  mythical bird that flies     forwards with its head turned backwards. This reflects the Akan belief that the past     serves as a guide for planning the future, or the wisdom in learning from the past in     building the future.         The Akan believe that there must be movement with times but as the forward march     proceeds, the gems must be picked from behind and carried forward on the match.
BOTIRE     - THE HEAD		BOTIRE - THE HEAD From the proverb: Botire da nkwan mu a, ennyera.         Literal translation: The head of an animal is never lost in     a soup.      Anybody of significance does not get lost in a crowd.     Anything of importance stands out on its own merit
AHAHAN - LEAVES		AHAHAN - LEAVES         Symbol of KNOWLEDGE, INTELLIGENCE and CRITICAL     REASONING      From the maxim: Konini ne besepa ahahan yetase     no obanyansafoo.      Literal translation: The     difference between the leaves of the white and red cola trees is only discerned by the     wise and knowledgeable child.
W'ASO ANTE A, W'ANI SO AHU?		W'ASO ANTE A, W'ANI SO AHU?        From the expression: W'aso ante a, w'ani so ahu? Literal translation: If you did not hear it, couldn't you also see it?
HYEN -     BOAT		HYEN - BOAT         Symbol of COOPERATION or JOINT EFFORT      From the proverb: Hyen yekwan no afanu a, na     eko akotrenee.      Literal translation: Paddling     the boat on both sides makes it go straight.
FAMILY STAFF   ABUSUA POMA AKAN CULTURAL SYMBOLS     PROJECT                      The Akan lineage organization     comprises matrilineal clans (mmusua,     pl.; abusua, sing.) that have major and minor segments. The     clans (mmusua) number seven in total. In various places     different names may be used for one and the same abusua.     Sometimes, even in the same place, more than one name may be used to refer to same abusua     or its minor segment. This leads to some writers to give the erroneous interpretations     that Akan mmusua number more than seven. Each abusua is identified both by     its proper name and its common emblem, totem or symbol. The beretuo     (twidan) abusua's totem is the leopard     (etwie or osebo). The aduana     (atwea, ntwea, aowin, aborade, or adwinade)     is represented by the dog (kraman, bodom) or frog (atwere     or aponkyerene). The kona     (asokore, ekoona or adonten) abusua is     represented by the water buffalo (ekoo). The oyoko (daku,     yogo, yoko, oweko, or anona) abusua     is represented by the hawk (akroma or asansaa).     The parrot (akoo) represents the agona abusua,     while the whale (bonsu) or the bat (apane)     represents the asinie abusua. Asona (odum,     odum-na, dwum or dwumina) abusua     is represented by the crow, white crested raven (adene or akonkron).
Agona Abusua Poma		Agona Abusua Poma         The parrot is the totem for the Agona abusua. It is a symbol of     eloquence and frankness.
Bretuo or Twidan Abusua Poma		Bretuo or Twidan Abusua Poma         The leopard (etwie or osebo) represents the Twidan or Bretuo Abusua. It     is a symbol of bravery and skill.
Asinie Abusua Poma		Asinie Abusua Poma The bat is the symbol of the Asinie abusua.
Kona, Asokore or Adonten Abusua Poma		Kona, Asokore or Adonten Abusua Poma         The water buffalo is the totem for the Kona, Asokore or Adonten Abusua.     It is a symbol of might and dexterity.
Aduana or Aborade Abusua Poma		Aduana or Aborade Abusua Poma         The dog (otwea or kraman)     represents the Aduana or Aborade Abusua. The dog symbol represents humility and     friendliness. The plantain tree is also used to represent this abusua.     The plantain symbol represents fertility. The frog (aponkyerenee) is another symbol of the     aduana abusua.
Asona Abusua Poma		Asona Abusua Poma The white crested raven or crow     (akonkran) is the symbol of the asona abusua. It is the symbol of the purity of heart and     eloquence.

[Kofi Kankam]

Great Lessons on Linguistic Staffs in Ghana.

I currently have in my possession a Linguistic Staff with Three (3) Prekese Finials.

However, I do not know the meaning or its significance in the Ashanti Chief set up.

I will be most grateful if any member of the group could help me with the name of the linguistic staff and its significance.

Below is an image of it:


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