This excellent pre-independence Fante Asafo flag from Ghana is a true treasure. A wonderful, highly collectible, decorative art piece that tells of a distinct part of African Colonial history.
Size: 36 x 55"
Stitching: hand stitched
Material: cotton applique/silk?
Canton: United Kingdom
Proverb: unknown
Company: No 1
age: 1920's or 30's
Condition: holes and staining commensurate with age.
*This particular flag is a pre-independence Asafo flag likely dating from the 20's or 30's and is a published and exhibited flag from the collection of Paul Rosen. Flags of this age and kind are increasingly rare to find. Many ones of a similar age have been fetching upwards of 10k at auction as less and less come to market and more and more end up in Museum collections.
*published in Emblems of Power: Asafo Flags from Ghana by Paul and Mary Sue Rosen!
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.
