Asafo flag ·  Ghana, Fante · ID: 3039404

Description

red cotton with applications and embroidery, depicted is a “flag within the flag”, with seven figures, kept at bay by a larger figure swinging a whip, “Union Jack” in top right corner, on wooden frame coated with light beige linen, rep. (various missing parts in the fabric mended);
“asafo” is the name of local military organisations among the Akan peoples of Ghana. Until the end of british colonial times in 1957 so-called “asafo” companies mainly had military functions. The flags show scenic views with close ties to the rich treasury of proverbs, whose purpose in context to “asafo” companies mainly lies in self-adulation or in reduction of competitors. Flags are rarely shown in public, aside from important festivals such as the annual “Fetu-Afahye” festival. “Asafo” companies parade through the streets while the flags are presented by special trained dancers, called “frankaakitsanyi”.

The object Asafo flag with the object ID 3039404 was part of the auction 81st Tribal Art Auction on October 31, 2015. The object with the lot number 289 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,600 with an asking price of EUR 500.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.

Comparing literature

Güse, Ernst-Gerhard (Hg.), Asafo, Fahnen aus Ghana, München, New York 1995, p. 26