Akan Language and Culture Review

Flashcards based on Akan linguistic numbers, money terminology, greeting etiquette, traditional music and dance, funeral customs, Kente cloth symbolism, and Anansesɛm folktales.

Baako

$$1$$

Mmienu

$$2$$

Mmiɛnsa

$$3$$

Anan

$$4$$

Enum

$$5$$

Nsia

$$6$$

Nson

$$7$$

Nwɔtwe

$$8$$

Nkron

$$9$$

Du

$$10$$

Aduanum

$$50$$

Ɔha

$$100$$

Ahaanu

$$200$$

Apem

$$1,000$$

Mpem Mmienu

$$2,000$$

Pepem baako

$$1,000,000$$

Sika

Money

Cedi

Ghanaian currency

Pesewa

One-hundredth of a cedi

Mepɛ…

I want / I would like…

Mempɛ…

I don’t want…

Sen?

How much?

Nsesa

Change (money)

Tɔ

Buy

Akwaaba

Welcome

Medaase

Thank you

Maakye

Good morning

Maaha

Good afternoon

Maadwo

Good evening

Da yie

Good night

Ɛte sɛn?

How are you?

Eye

I am fine / It is good

Me din de…

My name is…

Wo nso ɛ?

What about you?

Wo ayɛ adeɛ

Well done

Yaa Agya

Greeting response to an older man or father figure

Yaa Ena

Greeting response to an older woman or mother figure

Yaa Anua

Greeting response to a sibling

Yaa Ɔdɔ

Greeting response to a loved one

Yaa me deɛ

Greeting response given to a dear friend

Agɔ!

A call used by a visitor to announce their presence

Amee!

The response given to the visitor's call of "Agɔ!"

Bra mu

A host's invitation to enter

Hands on the head

A gesture expressing a request for help or distress

Traditional Akan Dances

Includes Adowa, Kete, Sikyi, Fontomfrom, Mpintin, and Penpensiwa

Mmagyegyeɛ Nnwom

Lullabies sung at birth

Bragorɔ Nnwom

Songs associated with puberty rites

Ayeforɔ Nnwom

Songs associated with marriage

Ayie Nnwom

Funeral songs

Red (Funeral Clothing)

Worn by close family members to symbolize deep grief

Black (Funeral Clothing)

Clothing used for mourning

White (Funeral Clothing)

Clothing representing the celebration of a life well lived

Red and White (Funeral Clothing)

Clothing indicating a very close relationship to the deceased

Black and White (Funeral Clothing)

Clothing representing mourning while celebrating the person's life

Bonwire

The town near Kumasi where Kente originated with the Asante people

Horizontal strip loom

The traditional tool used by men to weave Kente cloth

Kenten

The Asante word for basket, from which the name Kente is derived

Nwentoma

The Akan term for Kente, meaning woven cloth

Blue (Kente Color)

Signifies peace, harmony, and love

Green (Kente Color)

Signifies growth, harvest, and health

Gold (Kente Color)

Signifies wealth, royalty, and glory

White (Kente Color)

Signifies purity and healing

Red (Kente Color)

Signifies blood, sacrifice, and strong political/spiritual feelings

Black (Kente Color)

Signifies spiritual maturity and ancestral connection

Purple (Kente Color)

Signifies healing

Maroon (Kente Color)

Signifies protection and the earth

Pink (Kente Color)

Signifies calmness and tenderness

Yellow (Kente Color)

Signifies purity and preciousness

Anansesɛm

Akan folktales used to teach wisdom, moral lessons, and preserve culture

Ananse

The spider; a common character in Akan folktales

Anansesɛm Characters

Includes Ananse, Ntikuma, Ɔkɔnore Yaa, and Asɔ