item #455

from: Ghana

tribe: Ashanti

price: $12000.00

The name in the Akan language for this piece is "akrafokonmu" where "akra" means "soul", "fo" means "people" and "konmu" means, loosely, "around the neck". It is worn on the chest like a pendant and is the badge of identity of a soul priest. One of his primary roles is to preside over the ceremony in which the soul of the king is purified. The shape is called "nyame" which means both "sun" and "God". It measures 4 1/2" in diameter.

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photo # 455.3