The word `Asafo' is derived from `sa' (meaning war) and
`fo' (meaning people). The Asafo are the military institutions
of the Akan people of West Africa. Warrior groups are active
throughout the Akan area, but the Fante people from the
coastal region of Ghana have a sophisticated and expressive
community with a social and political organization based
on martial principles, and elaborate traditions of visual
art.
These flags are the result of an unlikely mix of cultures.
During five centuries of colonialism, the Fante craftsmen
took the European military flags and banners and developed
an exuberant African art form. Following the African tradition
of communication by proverb, the flags carry a message
of military strength and disdain for the enemy.
This collection of flags
of the Asafo Fante come from the book `Asafo! The
African Flags of the Fante', by Peter Adler and Nicholas
Barnard.
