Abstract:
The Adinkra Symbols of the Akan of Ghana are traditional symbols that are
ideographical illustrations of sayings, faith, philosophies, thoughts, and
values. The Adinkra symbols aid them in socially relating with members of
the community and religiously with Nyame (God). The low level of literacy
in the continent among others makes the adoption and use of symbols for
theological discourse very appropriate. Symbolic theology involves the use
of symbols to communicate biblical truths. This study collected data
through literature research using secondary sources such as books, articles,
and dissertations. The study also administered a structured questionnaire to
110 Christians and 20 Clergy belonging to different denominations. The
Theological reflections on the selected symbols showed a convincing
correlation between the symbols and the biblical truths. The results from the
fieldwork also confirmed the literature: 35% of Christians indicated that the
selected symbols were good for Christian use while another 15% said it was
good for African Christians. 75% of the clergy also indicated that the
symbols were good for Christian use, 47% also said it was very useful and
another 47% indicated it was most useful for their line of duty as clergy.
The paper seeks to make a case for African Symbolic Theology as a branch
of ethno-theology through ethno-hermeneutics. This is on the basis that
symbols occupy a huge space in the epistemology and religious space of the
people.
