African (Adinkra) Symbol of the Month: Dame Dame signifies intelligence

Bôhten eyewear strives to improve sustainable living in Africa. To shed light on our African roots, we are introducing meaningful symbols from Ghana that focus on the importance of Ethics in the social environment. 

We dedicate this month's symbol to anyone starting school or a new endeavor around this time.

This month's African symbol is an Adinkra symbol called Dame Dame. According to Symbolsage, this symbol means ‘checkered' and represents 'intelligence, strategy and ingenuity.' The name comes from a West African board game called 'Dame Dame' which requires crafty and innovative thinking to win.

Whether you are entering a new year at school, enrolling in an online course, taking a workshop in your favorite hobby, or starting a new chapter in your life, we encourage you to apply this symbol to your approach. Challenge yourself to think outside the box and think creatively. You will push yourself further than you ever thought and discover just how talented and capable you really are.

Adinkra are visual symbols, originally created by the Gyaman (Ashanti) people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast. The symbols hold a great deal of meaning and not only present the rich Akan culture, but serve to communicate deep truths, wisdom and knowledge using imagery. 

If you're curious to learn more about Adinkra symbols, you can find more about them here.

Credit - The Heritage and Cultural society of Africa

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