CAST IN METAL: AKAN GOLD WEIGHTS AND THE PROVERBS THEY ENCODE

Gold weights often represent proverbs and other genres from the extensive Akan oral literature. In this manner of usage, quite apart from their utilitarian and manifest purpose of being used to measure the value of gold dust, gold weights are meant to serve as powerful expressive medium for communicating Akan values, beliefs, and proper social relations and behavior.

The Akan often elaborate their spoken words with both visual and poetic dimensions by using context-related proverbs or clever metaphors to ennoble their messages. This practice not only demonstrates a speaker's wisdom, cultivation, and eloquence in the use of his language, but also reveals his understanding of human nature and his ability to assess the underlying subtleties of specific situations.

The metaphorical uses of gold weights take their particular significance from Akan world view that is premised on humanism - concern for human wellbeing vis-a-vis legal and social justice, equality, equitable distribution of goods, and human rights. The expression associated with mpaboa (sandals) is: Wonni mpaboa a, pè bi, wonni atuduro a, pè bi na me ne wo wò bi ka wò seramu -- If you do not have sandals, find some, if you do not have gun powder, find some for a score to settle with you on the battle grounds. The symbol is used metaphorically in this statement to express the declaration of war.

Click here for a sample from ongoing research on gold weights and the proverbs they encode.