The early Asante forebears of Ghana intelligently crafted lots of symbols that philosophically instructed culture customers on the ethical code of living. This assisted tremendously in selling social cohesion and peaceful marriage among on their own. A significant assessment of the symbols reveals the ingenuity of the Asante forebears. Crafted due to the fact the 1600s, many of these symbols have symbolic interpretations which when pondered in excess of give insightful guidance that enriches the moral forex of those who abide by them. One of these types of critical Ghanaian symbols is the ‘Bi-Nka-Bi’.
The pictorial representation of the image displays many bulging curves that symbolically depict diverse people in the culture. In a philosophically crafted picture, these bulging curves unite into a person finish shape, signifying unity or oneness. As a result, the image signifies peace among a single a further. Other individuals say that the image is an abstracted illustration of two fishes biting just about every other’s tail, warning from all varieties of strife and disputes.
This symbol basically signifies ‘Bite not 1 another’. Biting, as made use of in this context, signifies rivalry, conflicts or misunderstanding. The image admonishes society associates not to allow any anti-peace issue to disrupt the peace that exists involving them. It advocates amicable settlement of all forms of misunderstanding that could sow the seed of rivalry and conflict. In a regular Asante location, disputes amongst family members are expected to be talked over and remedied promptly at the family level by the household head ‘Abusuapanyin’. S/he is mandated by traditional by-legislation with the authority to hear to the grievances of each social gathering that resulted in the dispute, advises and amicably settle the misunderstanding in advance of it could degenerate and escalate into a even bigger conflict. Stubborn get-togethers who do not hear to the loved ones head are sent to the overlord of the town who is the chief and his cabinet of elders. He is the closing say in all issues and his verdict is viewed as conclusive of all kinds of societal conflict. In the exact mild, tricky conflicts that ensue involving chiefs of neighboring towns and villages are despatched to the paramount chief to settle it. The fulcrum of all these peace settling arrangements in the culture was for every society member to smoke the peace pipe all the time.
As a sort of typical reminder of this significant social get in the Ghanaian modern society, the ‘Bi-Nka-Bi’ symbol is often inscribed, modeled and painted on various structures, pottery wares, sandals and other products used in the culture. Also, the image is utilised as the principal style and design in the generation of many jewellery goods for own adornment. It is fitting that the commemoration of the 62nd independence day of Ghana has adopted the image in denoting the critical information of peace among all ethnic societies in the state. The author suggests the use of the symbol by peace foundations and establishments in depicting the imagery of peace and in all varieties of education on peace carried out globally.
