FRANKAA ASAFO MILITARY WARRIOR FLAG COTTON APPLIQUE FANTE GHANA WEST AFRICA

Description

GJPaw
Auctions is very pleased to offer
a highly dynamic Frankaa
or Asafo Military Warrior Flag from the Fante People, Ghana, West
Africa. Flags were first used by knights in
medieval times to identify their allegiance, but earlier predecessors
such as
banners and cloth-draped staffs called vexilloids reach far back into
the
ancient world.
Along the southern coast
of Ghana, the use of flags flourished among the Fante people, part of the
larger Akan group. Unlike the Asante, their rival neighbors, the Fante never
formed a centralized kingdom. Each state was ruled instead by a paramount chief
and protected by traditional warrior groups called
Asafo
that used
flags extensively.
Sa
meaning ‘war’ and
fo
meaning ‘people,’
the Asafo were aptly named military organizations; however, each Fante state
had their own separate unit or ‘company,’ patterned after European military
organizations. The primary function of the Asafo warrior groups was defense
against hostile neighbors, but they also held considerable power within Fante
society. Serving as a political counterbalance, the Asafo were responsible for
the selection, enthronement – commonly known as ‘enstoolment’ – and
occasionally even the ‘de-stoolment’ of chiefs. Asafo elders would also act as
trusted advisors to the ruling elite. Each Asafo company identified itself with
a distinct flag, called
frankaa,
which is simply the Fante word for
flag. Along with the company’s shrine, or fort-like base, the flag was the most
important object to the organization. They were flown on tall masts at the
shrine with great pride. Although the customs and rituals surrounding flags
were influenced by European contact, the designs were distinctly African – rich
with symbolism. Most were visual representations of age-old Fante proverbs. As
in many tribal societies with no written language, the recitation of proverbs
was a widely used method to teach traditions, beliefs and impart wisdom in
regard to all aspects of daily life. In the Fante language there are thousands
of proverbs, and many were depicted as imagery on the frankaa.
Most
flags are cotton applique. This superb example measures 58
inches in width by 36 inches in length (147.3 cm by 91.4 cm). It is in
very good condition, including light “in-culture” stains, fraying and
tiny holes. Guaranteed authentic, it should be a
welcome addition to any significant collection of African art.
GJPaw
Auctions has been in the Art
business for over 25 years and is now expanding its operation to eBay. 
Our goal is to bring the same experience and excitement of collecting that we
have been delivering in-person to customers across the Globe at
Primitive
in Chicago.  Every object we sell online has been carefully hand-selected
with special attention to detail, quality, and significance. We ship worldwide.
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