Faith
Gye Nyame
“Except for God”
One of the most widely recognised Adinkra symbols. Gye Nyame expresses the supremacy of God: a reminder that faith sits above every fear and every circumstance.
The Adinkra Collection
The Meaning Behind the Symbols
Adinkra are visual symbols created by the Akan people of Ghana. Each one carries an idea, a value or a proverb, and for generations they have been printed on cloth, carved into wood and cast in metal.
Regal Afrique began with these symbols. Every Adinkra piece in our collection carries one, so what you wear says something about who you are.
Roots
Sankofa
“Go back and get it”
Often shown as a bird reaching back for an egg on its back, or as a stylised heart. Sankofa teaches that we build a strong future by learning from, and reclaiming, the wisdom of our past.
Courage
Akofena
“Sword of war”
Two crossed ceremonial swords. Akofena stands for courage, valour and heroism, and the swords were also carried as emblems of legitimate authority and leadership.
Love
Duafe
“Wooden comb”
The wooden comb is a symbol of beauty, care and love, traditionally associated with the qualities admired in a woman: grace, attentiveness and self-care.
Humility
Dwennimmen
“Ram’s horns”
The ram fights fiercely, yet submits humbly when it must. Dwennimmen represents strength of mind tempered by wisdom and humility.
Unity
Funtumfunefu Denkyemfunefu
“Conjoined crocodiles”
Two crocodiles sharing one stomach. A symbol of unity in diversity and a shared destiny, and a reminder that people bound together should not compete over what they share.
Adaptability
Denkyem
“Crocodile”
The crocodile lives in water, yet breathes air. Denkyem celebrates adaptability, cleverness and the ability to thrive in any environment.
Peace
Adwo
“Calmness”
Adwo stands for calm, peace and tranquillity: the quiet confidence of someone at ease with who they are.
You are royalty in style.
Shop the Adinkra Collection