Adinkra Alphabet

Category: Akan Proverbs

  • Hwimhwim

    Adinkra
    hwimhwim adEe kc srcsrc.
    Akan
    Hwimhwim adee ko srosro.
    English
    Easy comes, easy go.

  • Baanu

    Adinkra
    baanu so a, Emmia.
    Akan
    Baanu so a, emmia.
    English
    When two people carry, the load lightens.

  • Anoma

    Adinkra
    anoma anntu a, obua da.
    Akan
    Anoma anntu a, obua da.
    English
    If a bird does not fly, it goes to bed hungry.

  • Owuo Kum Nyame

    Adinkra
    cdoCmankoCma bc owuo ma owuo kum noC.
    Akan
    Odomankoma bo owuo man owuo kum no.
    English
    The Creator created death only for death to kill him.

  • Bere

    Adinkra
    bEre annuru annuru a, etra.
    Akan
    Bere annuru annuru a, etra.
    English
    Procrastination is the thieve of time.

  • Owo

    Adinkra
    nEa cwc aka no pen no suro sonsono.
    Akan
    Nea owo aka no pen no suro sonsono.
    English
    He/She who has been bitten by a snake will be afraid of a worm.

  • Nsuo

    Adinkra
    nsuo a edc wo na ekc wahina mu.
    Akan
    Nsuo a edo wo na eko wahina mu.
    English
    It is the water that belongs to you that enters your jar.

  • Aserewa

    Adinkra
    ahunubipen nti na asErEwa rEgyEgyE nE ba agorc a na wayi nani ato nkyen.
    Akan
    Ahunubipen nti na aserewa regyegye ne ba agoro a na wayi nani ato nkyen.
    English
    It is because of “I have seen some before” that when the Silverbird is entertaining its young it looks away.

  • Mmosea

    Adinkra
    mmosEa twa wo nan asE a, Efiri fiE.
    Akan
    Mmosea twa wo nan ase a, efiri fie.
    English
    When the sole of your feet is cut by a gravel, it is from home.

  • Praye

    Adinkra
    praye, se woyi baako a na Ebu; wokabomu a Emmu.
    Akan
    Praye, se woyi baako a na ebu; wokabomu a emmu.
    English
    Broom, when you pick one it breaks easily; when combined it is impossible to break.