Adwo - The Deity of Monday
The Akan believe in one god who is the creator and sustainer of everything1. This god is called Nyame, although many other names describe certain aspects or characteristics of Nyame2. Nyame is both male and female, and is sometimes
called Nana
Nyame (Grandmother or
Grandfather Nyame)3. Besides
Nyame,
there are many different deities
(abosom), or spirits,
who reside in nature, such as rocks, rivers, streams, and mountains,
and who
might also represent a certain aspect of Nyame1,4. Usually, these deities are
worshipped rather than Nyame
directly1.
Also part of the spiritual world are the ancestors,
people who have died
and moved to the spiritual realm for some virtue2.
Ancestors form the closest connection humans have to the
spiritual world2.
Often these ancestors are asked to act as
mediators between the humans and the deities2.
Children who receive the
names Kwadwo and Adwoa are named after Adwo. Adwo, also called Awo or Dwo, is one of the deities, or
spirits4,5.
She is the great
Mother-Moon-Deity, and represents the creator and female aspect of Nyame4.
Nyame created the
universe as Adwo, the moon by
conceiving and giving birth to
her son Nyankopon,
the sun4.
Like the moon,
Adwo is calm, peaceful, and gentle2.
Her color is silver like
the
moonlight, which stands for serenity, purity and joy4,6.
The different phases of the moon
symbolize different aspects of Adwo,
as can be seen below4:
Adwo, the Great
Mother
Adwo, the
conceiving
Adwo,
the
mother who protects
Adwo,
the mother of fertility and growth
Adwo, the mother of the dead/giver
of deathThese symbols are often incorporated into a design and can be found in any combination4. Another symbol for Adwo is the number two; and might be shown by representing a symbol twice4. Also, Adowa, a gazelle, seems to be a symbol for Adwo4. The Adowa dance is performed by women at funerals7. On earth Adwo is represented by the queenmother, who traditionally wore silver clothes and jewelry4.The queenmother is in charge of the women in her clan and issues related to womanhood and family4.
Children born on Monday are born on Dwoda (literally Adwo-day)8. They receive their soul from Adwo and therefore inherit her
spiritual qualities8.
That means that all people born on
Monday are spiritually related and are considered brothers and
sisters8.
They are peaceful and cautious, quiet and calm2.
To ensure that the soul will
return to Nyame after death,
each person must keep his or her soul unsullied9.
Often people pour libation on Monday,
their weekly birthday, to keep Adwo
happy and their soul pure8.
Some people even make this day their
personal Sabbath and dedicate it to Adwo8.
Picture Sources
1) Gye Nyame (Nothing except for God) - probably the most popular symbol for Nyame. From Akan Cosmology.
2) Crescent of a waning moon, symbol for Adwo. Photograph by Dennis Simmons. From Brisbane Astronomical Society - Astro-Images of the Moon.
3) The symbol of a crescent incorporated in the design Kontonkurowi (rainbow). Designed by Kwadjo Appiah, Akan Cultural Symbols Project Crafts People.
4) A queenmother wearing silver clothes and jewelry. From AIDS in Africa. OnCampus Weekly, University of Calgary, Nov 26 2004.
Sources:
1) Federal Research Division of Library of Congress. "Traditional Religion." Ghana: A Country Study. Ed. LaVerle Bennette Berry. 3rd ed. Country Studies/Area Handbook Series. Washington, D.C.: Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O., 1995. N. pag. Country Studies US. 2005. 19 Oct. 2006 <http://countrystudies.us/ghana/52.htm>.
2) Rutledge, Christopher Kweku. "African Traditional Religious Beliefs, Among the Akans." Southern Illinois University Carbondale. 19 Oct. 2006 <http://colanmc.siu.edu/BAS495/students/chris/ ghweb.html>.
3) Oduyoye, Mercy Amba. "The African Experience of God Through the Eyes of an Akan Woman." CrossCurrents Winter 1997-98. CrossCurrents. Ed. Carey Monserrate. 19 Oct. 2006 <http://www.aril.org/african.htm>.
4) Meyerowitz, Eva L. R. The Sacred State of the Akan. London, England: Faber and Faber Limited, 1949.
5) Bartle, Philip F. W. "Forty Days; The Akan Calendar." Africa: Journal of the International African Institute 48.1 (1978): 80-84. Studies among the Akan of West Africa; Community, Society, History, Culture. 2005. 20 Oct. 2006 <http://www.scn.org/rdi/kw-40.htm>.
6) Ofori-Ansa, Kwaku. "History of Ashanti Kente Cloth - More than a Piece of Fabric, A Piece of Culture." Midwest Trade Group. 2006. 15 Oct. 2006 <http://kente.midwesttradegroup.com/history.html>.
7) Ladzekpo, Kobla, and Dzidzorgbe Ladzekpo. "About the Zadonu Music and Dance Repertoire." Zadonu African Music and Dance Company. 1998. California Institute of the Arts School of Music. 22 Oct. 2006 <http://music.calarts.edu/~kozadonu/rep.html>.
8) Bartle, Philip F. W. "The Universe Has Three Souls - Notes on Translating Akan Culture." Journal of Religion in Africa 14.2 (1982): 85-114. Studies among the Akan of West Africa; Community, Society, History, Culture. 2005. 20 Oct. 2006 <http://www.scn.org/rdi/kw-3so.htm>.
9) Ephirim-Donkor, Anthony. African Spirituality - On Becoming Ancestors. Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press, Inc., 1998.