ABSTRACT
Originally, Adinkra symbols were reserved for royalty, as they were a way of establishing the person’s status within their community. Outside of royal families, these symbols were once only used in funerary ceremonies as a way of saying goodbye to their loved ones. However, over time Adinkra symbols made their way into more popular culture. However, more specifically there was a private element of the language that could only be used by those of high status or importance within the community, such as herbalists, and there was a version that could be used by ordinary people, including women who originally did not have access to the high-status pictograms. This is similar to how Adinkra symbols were reserved for the use of royals. Nsibidi seen dyed and imprinted on cloth would only be used by high-status individuals in the community or during formal occasions, such as a family gathering like a wedding.
