Cloth As Metaphor: (Re)reading the adinkra cloth symbols of the Akan of Ghana

CONTENTS
Acknowledgment
1. Sign and Symbols from Ghana: A writing system
        Akan Symbols
         Symbols: A framework for analysis
         Akan Cloth Symbols
2. Introduction
    History of Adinkra Cloth
    The Akan
    Trade in Cloth
    Adinkra Symbol Origins
        The Bron Hypothesis
        The Gyaman Hypothesis
        The Denkyira Hypothesis
        Etymological Hypothesis
     Color Symbolism
     Cloth Patterns
     Production Processes
3. Adinkra Symbols
        Stylization
       Akan Writing
       Sources of Derivation of Adinkra Symbols
            Flora and Fauna
            The Human Form and Its Parts
           Geometric and Abstract Figures
   Social Change
   Multiple Meanings
4. Concepts of the Universe, God, Self, and Spirituality
   The Universe and God
       Attributes of God
       Land – Mother Earth
   Self
   Destiny
   Spirituality
       Hope and God’s Grace
   Dualism and Dialectics
       Spiritual and Physical
       Male and Female
       Death and Life
5. Governmental Organization
       State Authority
           Ohene Adwa – King’s Stool
           Ohemmaa Adwa – Queenmother’s Stool
           Akofena – State Swords
           Other State Regalia
           Ahemfie – Palace
       Governmental Structure
           Governmental Structure in Asante
                Public Service
                Military
                Justice, Law, and Order
6. Aspects of Akan Political Beliefs
       Unity
           National Integration and Cooperation
       Power

       Democracy and Akan Democratic Practices
       Nationalistic and Patriotic Symbols
       Unity in Diversity in Asante
       Diplomacy, Conflict Resolution, War and Peace
              in Asante
7. Beauty, Love, and Family Relations
       Akan (Abusua) Family
           Family Head
           Family and Funeral
           Family Dissension
           Family Totem
       Housing
       Beauty and Love
       Marriage
           Akan Marriage Ceremony
           Problems in Marriage
           Divorce (Hyireguo or Awareguae)
       Parental and Children’s Responsibilities
8. Some Aspects of Akan Social and Ethical Values
       Respect for Human Life and Humanity
       Self-respect and Respect for the Elderly and
                  Authority
       Selfishness and Jealousy
       Kindness
      Gratitude and Contentment
      Good health
       Work Ethics
9. Aspects of Akan Economic Views, and Social Inequality
       Introduction
       Agriculture
           Cocoa
       Craft Industry
       Hunting and Fishing
       Mining
       Money and Public Accounting System
       Akan Attitudes Towards Money
       State Enterprise System
           Trading
       State Revenue Sources
       Economic Development
       Social Inequality
10. Knowledge and Education
       Knowledge
           Attitudes to Knowledge
       Causality and Free Will
       Moral Education
       Time
       Transmission of Specialized Knowledge
       Institutionalized Knowledge
           Schooling of the King
           Training of Hunters
           Priesthood
       Writing
           Alphabetic Writing in Ghana
       Mathematical Knowledge and Accounting

11. Conclusion