Asafo flag
West Africa, Ghana, Fante.
W. 150 cm. H. 85 cm.
Mill woven cotton cloth.
An Asafo festival flag of one of the Fante companies of the coast of Ghana.
Asafo flags are appliquéd with allegorical motifs. The proverb to which they relate extols the bravery and power of their own company and denigrates the rest. The Fante acted as intermediaries between the European traders and the Ashanti from the hinterland. They developed a religious cult devoted to military power. Dividing themselves up in the European fashion into military companies known as Asafo.
They became great rivals to each other and paraded with flags at the festivals in June/July. The British flag in the corner was imitated from the main colonial power. The Fante hoped that thus the immense power of the British would rub off on the flag and their company.
This is an original piece from colonial times.
Price all in € 429,00
