In Ntonso, they make Adinkra, a traditional way of printing black symbols on strips of cloth.
The tour here was more organized than in the carving village, and we were shown the different stages of the dye making and printing. The dye was made from a special kind of tree bark, burned and then boiled and distilled for days, quite similar to the process of making tar, if I’m not mistaken.
The figures, all symbolizing a particular word or saying of importance for the Asante culture, were carved onto calabash stamps.
I even got to make my own adikra prints on a cloth strip of my choosing.
This was the result. The symbols mean strength and wisdom, defiance, and leadership. I thought it suitable. It was fun, the printing. I should really get my shit together and apply to that screen printing class that I’ve been talking about for years. The kid in me who’s favorite classes in school were art and shop really needs to get out more. Knitting simply isn’t enough to satisfy her.
Katja Malmborg 