This excellent post-independence, Fante Asafo flag from Ghana is a rare example of a flag that can be dated with a reasonable accuracy. The canton of this flag shows a clear white central band, which was the Ghanaian flag only between 1964 and 1966, when President Nkrumah changed the flag to reflect his governments more socialist stance. The proverb is the popular 'we control the cock, we control the clock bird' that boasts of the Asafo company's power in the region. A wonderful, highly collectible, decorative art piece that tells of a distinct part of African post-colonial history.
Size: 40 x 64"
Stitching: mix of hand and machine stitching
Material: cotton, silk (?)
Canton: Ghana 1964/66
Proverb: We control the cock, we control the clock bird
workshop: Kormantse
age: 1930's or 40's
Condition: excellent
*This particular flag is a pre-independence Asafo flag likely dating from the mid 1900's. Flags of this age and kind are increasingly rare to find. Many ones of a similar age have been fetching upwards of 5-10k at auction as less and less come to market and more and more end up in Museum collections.
History:
Asafo flags derive from the militia groups of the Akan people of Ghana; many of whom lived along the coast and traded with Europeans for cloth. Lacking organised military at the time the Fante peoples organised into Asafo ( Sa meaning War and Fo meaning people) units that protected local interests. The Fante culture continues to this day with regular festivals.
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