18 August 2014 – 19 October 2014

Asafo Flag Collection

Asafo Companies

The Asafo, warrior divisions of the Gomoa communities in Ghana's Central Region, are loud, proud, and provocative, with their flags reflecting their fiery, swaggering spirit. Their name derives from the term ‘war (sa) people (fo),’ and they surround themselves with curious military pageantry, with their flags as a focal point..

Nubuke Foundation’s collection showcases over thirty such flags from the colonial and independence periods, each belonging to a different Asafo company. Brilliant in color, each Asafo flag communicates a company’s message using visual imagery based on Fante proverbs. This tradition was heavily influenced by the pomp and processions of European armored units during the colonial era, with the Fante word for flag, “frankaa,” presumed to be a corruption of the English or Dutch word “vlaggen.”

Offering an insight into Asafo culture, the flags share a vibrant visual language and feature appliquéd assemblages of small figures, wild animals, pots of palm wine, traps, explosions, and serpent-headed monsters. These elements depict proverbs that boast of the company’s prowess, mock inferiority, and warn opponents of the risks awaiting those who dare to challenge them.

All of the flags in the exhibition seem to communicate with one another, with proverbs bouncing back and forth, soldiers ready for action, animals sparring, and opponents trembling. Seeing them amassed in this way provides a sense of the cacophony of colors and confrontations that run through an Asafo procession.

Although the original role of the Asafo companies was to protect their communities, they continue to proudly demonstrate their prowess during festivals and other celebrations.
Flags


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