The Asafo flags are regimental flags of the

Fante people The Mfantsefo or Fante ("Fanti" is an older spelling) are an Akan people. The Fante people are mainly located in the Central and Western coastal regions of Ghana. Over the last half century, due to fishing expeditions, Fante communities are fou ...

, an ethnic group that mainly resides in

Ghana Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in Ghana–Ivory Coast border, the west, Burkina ...

's central coastal region. The flags are influenced by a combination of

Akan Akan may refer to: People and languages *Akan people, an ethnic group in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire *Akan language Akan () is a Central Tano languages, Central Tano language and the principal native language of the Akan people of Ghana, spoken ...

proverbs, visual imagery, and European heraldic tradition.

History

The

live in the coastal areas of Ghana in fishing communities such as

Anomabu Anomabu, also spelled Anomabo and formerly as Annamaboe, is a town on the coast of the Mfantsiman Municipal District of the Central Region of South Ghana. Anomabu has a settlement population of 14,389 people. Anomabu is located 12 km east ...

Saltpond Saltpond is a town and the capital of the Mfantsiman Municipal District in the Central Region, Ghana, Central Region of South Ghana. Saltpond has a population of 24,689 people. Economy History Saltpond was in a state of economic decline since t ...

Mankessim Mankessim is a town in the Central Region of Ghana, West Africa. It is approximately 75 km west of Accra, on the main road to Sekondi-Takoradi. It is the traditional headquarters of the Fante ethnic group of Ghana. Mankessim's history i ...

, and

Elmina, Ghana Elmina, also known as Edina by the local Fante, is a town and the capital of the Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem District on the south coast of Ghana in the Central Region, situated on a bay on the Atlantic Ocean, west of Cape Coast. Elmina w ...

in the town of

Cape Coast Cape Coast is a city, fishing port, and the capital of Cape Coast Metropolitan District and Central Region of Ghana. It is one of the country's most historic cities, a World Heritage Site, home to the Cape Coast Castle, with the Gulf of Gu ...

. Historically, they have been concerned with fighting the

Ashantis The Asante, also known as Ashanti () are part of the Akan ethnic group and are native to the Ashanti Region of modern-day Ghana. Asantes are the last group to emerge out of the various Akan civilisations. Twi is spoken by over nine million As ...

, a part of the

ethnic group native to the

Ashanti Region The Ashanti Region is located in southern part of Ghana and it is the third largest of 16 administrative regions, occupying a total land surface of or 10.2 percent of the total land area of Ghana. In terms of population, however, it is the mo ...

of modern-day Ghana, due to the Ashantis demanding tribute from them. The conflict manifested in interstate rivalries as a result of the dispersed nature of power. The

Asafo Asafo are traditional warrior groups in Akan culture, based on lineal descent. The word derives from , meaning war, and , meaning people. The traditional role of the Asafo companies was defence of the state. As the result of contact with European ...

companies were developed to defend the state as a military group of men in Fante villages. In the local language, ''Asafo'' is derived from the words ''sa'' meaning 'war', and ''fo'' meaning 'people'. Asafo companies were responsible for sanitation and roadworks, protection of state goods, local policies, conducting funeral rights, and community entertainment. After trading gold, ivory, and slaves with the Europeans, the Asafo companies adapted their flags in order to display designs symbolizing proverbs about security and warfare. The fighting duties of the Asafo companies ended with British colonialization, but they still have their role in the ritual life of Fante villages.

Asafo flags

In Fante, flags are called ''frank,'' and they are a key item of Asafo regalia. A man who wishes to join Asafo society designs a new flag and commissions its production from the local flag maker. The imagery of the flag challenges rival groups as it asserts the wealth and power of the company. The designs are a reflection of the importance of proverbs throughout the Akan culture. A company's flags are usually hung around the Posuban, a concrete shrine for each company that is colourfully decorated with bright figures and serves as a place for regalia and sacrifice. The flags are carried on a procession through the village, and are used at annual festivals, funerals for company members, and other occasions.

Examples

Asafo Flag, No. 2 Company; created by Akwa Osei; Ghana, Fante people; c. 1900, Cotton and rayon, embroidery and appliqué.jpg, Asafo no 1 company flag.jpg, Brooklyn Museum 2009.39.1 Asafo Company Flag Frankaa.jpg, Brooklyn Museum 2009.39.2 Asafo Company Flag Frankaa.jpg, COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Asafo vlag TMnr 6341-1.jpg, COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Asafo vlag TMnr 6341-2.jpg, Brooklyn Museum 2009.39.3 Flag of a Female Asafo Captain Frankaa.jpg, WLA haa Asafo Flag.jpg,

Significance

Asafo flags are still being made and used as an important part of communal life in Fante villages. The flags have been highly collectible in countries and regions outside Ghana since the 1990s for their striking imagery.

References

{{Reflist History of Ghana