As the years unfolded, so too did Amani's passion for drawing. With each passing day, his sketches grew bolder, his visions more vivid. It was in the quiet corners of a nearby craft shop that his dreams found refuge, the scent of wood and the sound of chisels a symphony to his soul. Each day after school, he would quickly finish his homework and dart off to spend hours at the craft shop.
Recognizing his talent, the craft shop welcomed Amani into their fold, his sketches guiding the hands of master carvers. With each stroke, he breathed life into wood, transforming raw materials into works of Afrocentric art. And as his skills blossomed, so too did his reputation, his name whispered in awe among those who sought true craftsmanship. Quietly, his burning desire was to one day own a Craft shop.
But fate, ever capricious, cast its shadow upon Amani's path. With the sudden passing of his father, African tradition called upon him, as the eldest male child, to forsake his dreams and tend to the family farm. Yet, even amidst the fields, his heart remained tethered to his craft, carving a path to his destiny with each furrowed brow and calloused hand.
It was amidst the whirlwind of a trade show that destiny intervened, weaving the threads of Amani's fate with my newly formed company, African Heritage Collection. Here, amidst the bustle of commerce, a connection was forged—a connection that would change the course of Amani's life forever.
Empowered by opportunity, Amani's talent flourished under the nurturing gaze of destiny. Armed with tools and financing, he carved his mark upon the world, his creations a testament to the power of perseverance and passion.
Today, Amani's legacy stands tall, specializing in African-Inspired home decorating accents and Afrocentric Trophies & Recognition Awards. His mother has also passed and with each piece he creates, he honors his parents' memory and the dreams they shared.
One of his children plans to attend a University in Ghana this year; that would be a first in his family. The earnings from the craft shop have helped his wife open a small restaurant in the neighborhood. He's also using his platform to give back to his community by providing opportunities for emerging artisans.
When I remind him of African Heritage Collection’s 99% approval rating with clients, his humble response is "Tell them thank you for supporting my shop and my family"
#AfrocentricAwards #MulticulturalAwards #AfricanDecor #Diaspora #AfricanHeritage
]]>Historically, “Primitive” African art was made for ritualistic purposes – dance, ancestral or spiritual worship. Overtime they became more identified with celebratory, decorative, and functional features. Institutional and wealthy investors are still engaged in acquiring original pieces made in the early twentieth century and before for their investment and historical value. If you are in this niche, the best advice is to connect with museums or licensed dealers who have the expertise in identifying such investment grade pieces.
The vast majority of people who buy today’s African art are searching for pieces they can “live with”. While still quality conscious and with a strong interest in African history, and culture, they want pieces that can be incorporated in their lifestyle and decorating themes. African Heritage Collection taps into this niche by offering a wide array of eye-pleasing functional and decorative pieces to select from. These pieces have a broad appeal and it only takes an imaginative mind to come up with ways to incorporate them in any interior or exterior decor. Professional decorators are also a great resource for creative ideas.
Contemporary African art incorporates many western influences in unique ways and with different finish options – smooth, traditional or antique. Equally important is the strong symbolism African art projects. Many of today’s artisans today draw on local images, personal or family experiences in carving their piece. It is not surprising that many pieces reflect some kind of social message or interpretation.
Like any market, there is a wide disparity in quality, authenticity, and pricing in the African art so you have to train your eye to the right purchase. Different regions on the African continent make their pieces from different media, colors, and textures. Even the shapes can be different. Repeat buyers may find it fairly easy to distinguish Ghanaian art from Senegal, Kenya, Zimbabwe. For this reason we recommend you get to know your art dealer and ask a lot of questions – the country of origin, symbolism, artisan story, material used, and product care. Only then can you get a good feel for its authenticity.
The market for African art grows as more people of different backgrounds travel and discover various parts of the continent. With more education, the art takes on new meaning and the desire to integrate it into any home theme
]]>I believe, perhaps now more than ever, we in the diaspora must become connected, one-with-another, and with our rich ancestral heritage and history, and the little-recognized contributions which we have generously lavished to America, and in fact, to the world.
It behooves our children, grandchildren and future generations to be tuned in and inspired by the truths of our origins and our journey, much of which remains untold, and hardly recognized. We must pass this on in word, deed, symbols and interaction. Only people of color can perpetuate these truths.
We all know there are huge issues and challenges to tackle in terms of the quality of life and well-being of our children/youth, families and communities. However, I also believe that there are small but significant things that we can do to make a difference.
This is why I want to put the spotlight on the African Heritage Collection's Kingdom Trophies and Awards - offering historically-important and culturally-specific ways to recognize our peoples’ accomplishments. For the first time the company has created an ingenious, refreshing alternative to the traditional acrylic/metallic style Awards most organizations use. Theirs are not only stunning pieces of art but, in them, we celebrate ourselves and the rich African history, culture and symbolism that we are a part of. Each piece, an original, has a unique and relevant symbolic story with a signed Certificate of Authenticity.
Let's look at a few examples. The Unity Globe Award is a creative piece of artwork depicting three people holding the world together. It is a very popular award because it embodies universal principles of Unity, family, teamwork and diversity. Yet another Award, a favorite of African American and diaspora Organizations is the Sankofa Award.
The Sankofa symbol is one of many sacred Adinkra Symbols ascribed to the Akan people who settled in the area of West Africa that is now called Ghana and Ivory Coast. The word Sankofa literally means “Go back for it”. The symbol is represented by a forward moving metaphorical bird with its head turned backwards to retrieve an egg (representing the future) from its back. It is highly revered and permeates all aspects of Ghanaian culture and lifestyle.
"Sankofa" teaches us that we must go back to our roots in order to move forward; that is, we should reach back and gather the best of what our past has to teach us, so that we can achieve our full potential as we move forward. Whatever we have lost, forgotten, forgone or been stripped of, can be reclaimed, revived, preserved and perpetuated. The wisdom from the past becomes the guide to a better and stronger future.
I share this information with the larger hope that, under the unpredictable challenges which we all currently face, re-enforcing and validating a rich heritage and ancestry, tightening-up our community, and supporting our families, communities and businesses, seems like a good idea.
I encourage you to browse the company's gallery of Trophies and Awards. There are awards for Leadership, Inspiration, Community Service, Excellence, Diversity, Mentoring, and Lifetime Achievement. Perhaps your organization and others you know may find these awards appropriate for their next event.
]]>The rich tapestry of African history is woven with the stories of remarkable women who stood at the forefront of the struggle for equality, freedom, and progress. Consider the Ashanti people of Ghana, where Queen Yaa Asantewaa, a legendary military leader, demonstrated immense bravery in leading the Ashanti-British "War of the Golden Stool" in 1900, resisting colonial rule. In the same region, Queen Mother Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko II passionately advocates for education, women's empowerment, and cultural preservation.
In the Diaspora, figures like Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks, symbols of courage and resistance, played pivotal roles in the fight against slavery and segregation. Maya Angelou, a renowned poet and civil rights activist, used her eloquence to advocate for justice and equality.
Enter second-generation Master Carver K. Amani from Ghana, who collaborated with my product development team to create the "Woman of Wisdom" Award. We wanted this Award to honor women who tirelessly overcome challenges to improve their communities and uplift the less fortunate. Amani's personal connection to the cause, inspired by his mother's sacrifices for his education and personal development, adds a profound layer of authenticity to the Award.
Why share this story? To underscore the importance of African-inspired awards as a culturally resonant platform for celebrating the achievements of People of Color. This drive to create Motherland Awards for diaspora celebrations is a testament to the power of indigenous crafts, steeped in history and creativity, to authentically recognize and honor accomplishments within our communities.
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Elmina Castle is a white-washed Medieval Castle located in the central region of Ghana. It is the oldest European building south of the Sahara Desert. It was built by the Portuguese in 1482. The Elmina Castle is a bastion of a dark slave history – the last place that thousands of African Slaves would ever see of their homeland before being shipped to the Americas and other parts of the world. The Dutch seized the fort from the Portuguese in 1637 and continued the slave trade until 1814.
In 1872, the British took over from the Dutch until 1957 when it granted the Gold Coast its independence and control of the castle was transferred to the nation formed out of the colony, present-day Ghana.
Today Elmina Castle is a popular historical site, and a major filming location. It was visited by President Barack Obama during his African tour in 2009. A must see for any visitor to Ghana!
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Sankofa is a word in the Twi language of Ghana that means "Go back and get it" (San – go back; ko - to go; fa - to fetch, to seek and take). The Sankofa symbol is one of the more popular and recognizable of the Adinkra symbols. The symbol is illustrated two ways; 1) by a bird with its head turned backwards retrieving an egg on its back, or 2) as a stylish heart-shaped design.
The image of the mythological bird with its head looking backward has been interpreted and re-interpreted many different ways. More commonly, however, it is seen as embracing one’s heritage or returning to a person’s roots. It reinforces the idea of community and family and using past experiences to help build a better future.
The pleasing symmetry of the abstract designs along with their clean lines and subtle visual cues, have made them ideal symbols in tattooing, for T-shirts, on traditional cloth, building designs, and Awards.
SANKOFA – Symbol of heritage, wisdom, community, and a better future.
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Adinkra Symbol Corner #5 – SESA WO SUBAN
Sesa Wo Suba (se-sa wo su-ban) symbol means “Change you character”. It signifies personal reflection and transformation. It‘s a composition of two symbols; the inner star which represents a new day and an outer wheel which implies initiative and moving forward. The symbol encourages people, especially the youth, to make a positive change to the world by their actions.
SESA WO SUBAN - Symbol of life transformation
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You know us for bringing you the culture and traditions of Ghana through ingeniously crafted artifacts. Many of you have asked us to include popular recipes in our “Discover Ghana” blogs. What a great idea! And there are tons of them – simple, freshly crafted mouth-watering recipes you will enjoy. Here’s the first one – Kelewele.
KELEWELE, (pronounced Kay-lay-way-lay) is popular Ghanaian side dish made of fried ripe plantains seasoned with spices - ginger, cayenne pepper, salt. Kelewele is commonly sold by street vendors late afternoons and in the evenings. Plantains are a member of the banana family. They are a starchy, low in sugar variety and usually fried or baked. Plantains are longer and have thicker skin than bananas. They are green in color when harvested. When ripen, they become softer and the skin color changes to yellow/black. Kelewele has grown in popularity in the U.S. thanks to the growing influence of African recipes.
Ingredients (2-3 serving portions):
2-4 ripe plantains.
1-2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (or ½ teaspoon of crushed red-pepper) to taste.
1 tablespoon of grated ginger root (or ginger powder) to taste.
Pinch of salt.
Preparation (15-20 minutes prep & cook time):
Peel plantains and cut into bite-size cubes.
Rub plantains with mixture of pepper, ginger and salt.
Heat one cup of oil (or more as needed) to about 350 degrees in a deep skillet (deep enough to allow plantains to float ). Fry plantains (just enough so they don’t touch each other), turning regularly until golden brown.
Remove plantains and drain on paper towel to remove excess oil. Keep warm in oven until ready to serve. Serve plantains alone or with dry roasted peanuts. Enjoy and let us know when you try it.
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WOFORO DUA PAA (woforu-dua-paa) is a Ghanaian phrase that means “When you climb a good tree…” The symbol signifies support, cooperation and encouragement. It implies that any good cause is worth fighting for and will generate the necessary support to achieve its goals.
WOFORO DUA PAA – Symbol of support, cooperation, and encouragement.
Don't try this at home. Watch and marvel at the wonders of hand-carving.....
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No sophisticated machinery, no production line, no guidelines, no formal training. Just simple, nondescript tools.
So what does it take to be a master carver? Passion, patience, and a heavy dose of God-given artistic talent. And that's the way it has been for centuries. Kwesi Asante has it, so does Olu, and K. Amani, all 2nd and 3rd generation master carvers from Ghana who rely on their talent to support their large extended families.
And the passion from each remains as strong as ever - driven by a sense of fulfillment from creating conversation pieces for the world to enjoy.
Click below to see video.
]]>From humble beginnings, Master carver Amani has worked hard to accomplish the dream of managing his own craft shop.
]]>Master carver Amani’s childhood was shaped mainly by his mother’s love and her desire to see him live a productive life. He saw his mother work very hard to support his education while his father was largely absent. He vowed to be a role model for his children. That drove him to set up his own craft shop with support from African Heritage Collection.
Today Amani's fortunes have turned around. He is well established and his business continues to flourish and provide income to support his family and educate his children. He plans to give back to his community by providing opportunities for emerging artisans.
Amani's shop produces a wide range of colorful products including Walking Sticks, Spirit of Africa Mask, Moment of Silence, and Zulu Queen. We salute Amani for a job well done!
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In spite of its growing population, the Ghanaian culture is woven into a network of small communities and neighborhoods where everyone knows each other. The social media is vibrant and well entrenched. It is not uncommon for friends or neighbors to stop by unannounced to check on each other.
Certain daily rituals are culturally “mandated” as a gesture of goodwill and caring for each other. You feel like you are never alone – that help is around the corner when you need it. Within hours of arrival, you quickly hear and learn some common phrases:
“Akwaaba” – A welcome greeting.
“Maakye” – A good morning greeting.
“Yesu Adom” – Means the Grace of God.
Ghana is considered one of the most religious countries in the world and it certainly shows. Ask anyone “How Are You”, and the most common response is “Yesu Adom”. Their hospitality will make you want to come back again and again.
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As part of the African Heritage Collection's commitment to supporting children's organizations, Julius Aboagye made a donation to help support Kumasi Children's Home on one of his recent visits to Ghana. Picture shows Julius (2nd right) presenting a check for $150 to Mrs Linda Osei, one of the directors of the Children's Home.
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Did you know Ghana (‘s)….
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