KWAME BRENYA, A GHANAIAN PERFORMANCE ARTIST DISCLOSES THAT HE GOT POSSESSED BY THE POWER OF ADINKRA SYMBOLS.



Kwame Brenya, a Ghanaian performance artist discloses that he got possessed by the power of the Adinkra symbols and the Adinkra language when he wrote his latest book "Adinkra Kasa!", during his book presentation at the Aidoo Centre for Creative Writing, last Thursday.



"What inspired me to write this book was that I started wearing Adinkra rings. Rings which had the Adinkra symbol on them. People started asking me to lend them some anytime I went out and I was giving them out. Now I sell them. The elders say that when you get closer to a water body you see how it moves. When I got closer to the Adinkra symbols the power of the Adinkra symbols moved me. You can say that I got possessed by the Adinkra language. So it's just the Adinkra speaking through me. I didn't do anything but interpret what it was saying," explained Kwame Brenya.


The award-winning poet had published a new book called  "Adinkra Kasa!" and had been invited by the Aidoo Centre to provide a presentation on the book to students of African University College of Communications and members of the Centre's book club. Adinkra Kasa! is a collection of poetry written in Twi and translated in English as well, each based on an Adinkra symbol. There are ten poems based pf ten Adinkra symbols in all.  Chapter 1 "Nkɔnsɔnkɔnsɔn", Chapter 2 "Mframadan", Chapter 3 "Pa gya", Chapter 4 "Tumi tesɛ kosua", Chapter 5 "Sesa wo suban", Chapter 6 "Akobɛn", Chapter 7 "Mmusuyideɛ", Chapter 8 "Fawohodie", Chapter 9 "Nea ɔpɛ sɛ ɔbɛdi hene", Chapter "Adinkrahene", being the last.



"I wrote many poems. There is a theme for this. The Adinkra Kasa is addressing our national and continental issues as Black people. I selected the 10 Adinkra symbols based on the knowledge they carry in relation to our country's current situation," said Kwame Brenya.


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ADINKRA, kasa! explores the significance of Adinkra symbols within Ghanaian culture and their relevance to contemporary societal issues. Kwame Brenya, known for his multi-disciplinary artistic endeavors deeply rooted in Akan philosophy, delivered a captivating presentation that blended spoken word with insightful commentary on his creative process.

 


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