Wisdom, excellence, commitment, endurance, courage. These are just some of the qualities that we look for in any successful entrepreneur. They also represent a small selection of the philosophies expressed by the ancient Adinkra symbols of the Asante (Ashanti) peoples of Ghana. Notably, these designs may still be found across the African diaspora today. They are interwoven into fabrics, pottery, buildings and are even worn as tattoos or body art. These designs and the proverbs that relate to them are more than reminders of another time. They offer black business owners an opportunity to connect with their African history and culture in ways that may inspire business success and generational wealth.
The legend of the Adinkra Symbols
Historically, Adinkra symbols were stamped onto fabric worn only by royalty, spiritual leaders or at special funerals. The markings are made with a dye from the bark of the Badie tree and applied using the base of a calabash. These skills survive in only a few places in Ghana, such as the small town of Ntoso near to Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti region.
”If a bird does not fly, it goes to bed hungry. Meaning – If one does not take action, one will not make a living”
Adinkra symbols carry the wisdom of proverbs, offering guidance to Ghanaians and the African diaspora on many aspects of life. For black entrepreneurs, learning and understanding the meaning of Adinkra symbols and the supporting proverbs are an important way to strengthen ties to our rich African history. Understanding the past allows for more confidence in the present and greater clarity about the future.
Adinkra symbols and black business
Sankofa is one of the better known pieces of wisdom represented by Adinkra symbols. This drawing depicts a bird looking backwards as it walks towards its destination.
The proverb associated with this says that it is not taboo to go back and get something. Sankofa is an important message for people of African heritage, whether entrepreneurs or not. Hundreds of years of enslavement separated Africans from their culture, sense of identity, family structures, belief systems, even from our understanding of community-based methods of saving and running a business.
Thankfully, enslaved Africans never accepted their condition. They fought against the brutal system in many ways – from running away to the destruction of crops or poisoning their enslavers. The global economic network based on enslaved Africans flourished, enriching the nations that established legal, financial, political and religious systems to ensure its sustainability.
Over the decades, civil rights movements, the Black Power uprising in the Caribbean and revolutions in Cuba, Grenada, South Africa and elsewhere sought to reverse the damage that was done to the African community. Activists have drawn attention to the importance of reconnecting with our African groundings. The Black Lives Matter movement has opened the portal even wider, making specific reference to the need for people of African heritage to become proficient in business as seen by the establishment of Black Pound Day in England.
Sankofa is thus an essential Adinkra symbol for African people because it reminds us that as we move forward, we must learn from the lessons as well as the mistakes of the past.
Adinkra symbols and the BOOM philosophy
So, at BOOM we do practice what we preach. Adinkra symbols motivate and guide the services we offer, they form an important part of our design and they are even located in our name!
We have deliberately designed the first letter in our name to contain a solid circle of black. While this is not an Adinkra symbol, we use it to represent our Black Collective. Through this solid circle of black, we are stronger to together. It reminds us that we are united in our quest to rebuild the African community through business intelligence, financial integrity and strengthening our communities.
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Adinkrahene:
Chief of the Adinkra symbols. This is said to be one of the symbols that inspired the design of the others. It refers to greatness, charisma and the importance of leadership.
For us, these qualities are essential within a business context. Many of the business people that feature on our website and social media spaces are brimming over with charisma and they are strong leaders. However, the idea of greatness should not be perceived through the lens of arrogance or selfishness. For the African community, greatness will be claimed and achieved with humility, a willingness to support each other to be successful and the courage to refuse to give in to all of the negativity that surrounds our African heritage.
Sesa Wo Suban:
Transformation. This adinkra symbol is another one that is key to the vision, mission and goals of BOOM. We are committed to the transformation of black owned businesses through education, providing inspiration by sharing the stories of successful black business owners and supporting the growth of black owned Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) via smart tech and collective entrepreneurship.
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Hwemudua:
Measuring Stick. Quality control is the meaning behind this adinkra symbol. As a business oriented organisation we must emphasise transparency and accountability in all our operations. We are also committed to supporting black-owned organisations to design or upgrade their business and financial operations to attain the highest levels of trust and reliability.
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BOOM services – inspired by Adinkra symbolism; delivered by our experts
Business transformation
As an entrepreneur, dreams are crucial. However, as black business owners, we often need assistance to transform our dreams into a profitable business. Once you visualise your business, see it in your minds’ eye, the next step is to turn that vision into a reality. Our experts will help you to craft a business plan that will help you to define the steps that will turn those dreams into reality. At BOOM, your dreams are never too big for us. In fact, if you did not dare to dream we would be disappointed!
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Access to loans and financing
We understand that securing funding for business development is one of the main challenges for entrepreneurs. For this service, we have chosen the adinkra symbol Bese Saka: Sack of Cola Nuts. This symbol is described as representing affluence, power, abundance and unity. In ancient times, the cola nut was important to the economy of Ghana. It is also associated with success and wealth. It is said that the symbol also represents the role of agriculture and trade in bringing people together. We are committed to opening pathways to securing the financing you need for the business growth you envision.
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Virtual Assistant services
For almost every entrepreneur, time is an elusive notion. We have selected the adinkra symbol Boa Me Na Me Mmoa Wo: Help me and let me help you. This is a symbol of cooperation and interdependence, perfect for our Virtual Assistant Services. We would like to give you the time you need to make important business links, connect with our community and most importantly, to dream.
Digital & Online Marketing
Even a fantastic business needs people to know that it exists. In the 21st
century, social and online media have made it easier to create solutions for your customers and reach them in immediate and exciting ways. However, planning a strategy to determine the correct messages, or the most effective communication vehicles takes time and requires insights into the best way to becoming profitable through digital and online marketing.
For this service, we are therefore inspired by Ananse Ntontan: Spider’s web. (Yes, before there was Spider-Man or the World Wide Web, there was the ancient symbol for Ananse!) Anansi, the spider, is a significant character in African folklore. He is powerful, influential and also royal. Not surprisingly, Ananse Ntontan is a symbol of wisdom, creativity and the complexities of life.
Allow us to weave a web of success for your business with the BOOM digital and online marketing services!
Business and Financial Planning
You know instinctively that you need a financial plan for your business. How much do you need to keep the business running every month? How should you determine what salaries to pay? What about how much should you save? The adinkra symbol Okuafo Pa represents diligence, hard work and entrepreneurship and is our inspiration for this particular service. Our experts will conduct an assessment of your business promptly and recommend the best approach to ensure your financial viability.
Leverage the Power of Partnerships
Woforo Dua Pa A: When you climb a good tree, you are given a push. This Adinkra symbol speaks to our emphasis on community and the power of a shared network to lift everyone who is part of our collective. It represents support, cooperation and encouragement, all essential aspects of who we are as an organisation. Through our website, social media and business services we are offering an opportunity for entrepreneurs
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Concluding Words
Let ancient adinkra symbols guide your business decisions
Western cultures often promote the values of instant gratification, going it alone or taking everything possible through the power of a business deal. Ancient cultures – from the Maya, to the Hindus, ancient Egyptians or the Zulus – are based on concepts such as community, harmony with nature, family and respect for elders. The Adinkra symbols and the proverbs that explain them are part of our African tradition that enslavement, colonialism and other negative forces could not erase. Claim them in support of your business. These symbols from Ghana belong to you. They belong to all of us.
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