.png)
In this collection of my artistic exploration, I am drawn to the enchanting allure of
Anansesem, where the ancient art of storytelling breathes life into tales of wit, wisdom,
and wonder. Inspired by the timeless charm of Ananse, the spider serves as a vessel
to preserve and celebrate the rich oral traditions and folklore of West Africa. Each piece
is infused with the spirit of these cherished narratives, inviting viewers to embark on a
journey of cultural discovery and reflection. Through my creations, I endeavor to honor
the legacy of Anansesem, ensuring that these cherished stories continue to inspire and
captivate audiences for generations to come. - Stephen Abban Jr.
BONWIRE KENTE
MYTHOLOGY OF BONWIRE KENTE FABRIC
In the heartland of Bonwire, nestled beneath the sprawling canopies of ancient trees, two brothers, Kragu Ameyaw and Otaa Kraban, lived a harmonious life as both farmers and skilled hunters. The village, a testament to tradition and resilience, echoed the rhythms of their dual existence.
One fateful day, as the brothers ventured deep into the verdant wilderness on a hunting expedition, they stumbled upon a scene that would change the course of their lives and the destiny of Bonwire. Concealed within the shadows of the dense foliage, Kragu and Otaa observed Kweku Ananse, the cunning trickster of folklore, and his
enchanting family.Kweku Ananse's abode, a whimsical web woven among the branches, housed his extraordinary family. Okonore Yaa, his beautiful and diligent wife, moved gracefully as she assisted in the intricate tasks. Kweku Nti, the elderly son, radiated wisdom that belied his years, while Eti Kelenkelen, with his oversized head, carried the family's reservoir of intellect. Efu Dohwedohwe, the family's gourmet, indulged in his love for food. Nana Konwhiaa, the youngest and the brightest, flitted around performing errands with unparalleled intelligence, even weaving a metaphorical web of knowledge.
Hidden in the shadows, the two brothers marveled at the spectacle unfolding before them. Mesmerized by the rhythmic dance of threads and the harmonious symphony of the Ananse family, Kragu and Otaa were drawn into the mesmerizing world of weaving. The web created by the trickster's family seemed to capture not just silk but the very essence of stories untold.
Inspiration ignited within the brothers as they witnessed the artistic brilliance of Ananse's family. In the intricate patterns of the spider's web, they discovered a language
that spoke to their souls. Silently, they observed, absorbing the secrets of the loom, as Kweku Ananse and his family wove tales into threads.
Kragu and Otaa, their minds ablaze with newfound creativity, retreated into the depths of the bush. Armed with the vision bestowed upon them by the trickster and his
family, they set about crafting a fabric that would mirror the beauty, wisdom, and dynamism of Ananse's magical tapestry.
In the village of Bonwire, the loom echoed with the rhythmic dance of threads, now infused with the essence of the trickster's enchantment. The Asante Kente fabric, born
from the clandestine observation of two brothers, bore witness to the brilliance of Ananse's family, encapsulating the wisdom, wit, and grace that resonated through their
weaving.
The village, now adorned in the vibrant hues of Bonwire Kente, became a living testament to the magical encounter in the heart of the wilderness. Kweku Ananse, the
trickster, and his family, forever etched in the patterns of the fabric, became patrons of an art form that transcended generations, weaving a legacy as timeless as the threads
that adorned the loom. And so, the myth of Bonwire Kente, born from the secret observance of two brothers and the enchantment of Ananse's family, became a vibrant
tapestry of culture, tradition, and the mystical dance of threads.
AKUSIKA
An inspiration from Ghanaian Ethnomusicologist Nana Kwame Ampedu, the piece depicts the true-life story of "AKUSIKA," the Girl with a Golden hand. Her narrative starts from the tragedy of her birth, the agony of her life, healing, and the
commemoration of her allegory. Executed in Ink, Soil, and Acrylic on primed burlap fabric.
The piece in Tetraptych that divides AKUSIKA the narrative of the Girl who had a Golden Hand into four panels, each measuring fifty inches or one hundred and twenty-seven centimeters high by hundred inches or two hundred and fifty-four centimeters wide (50”/ 127 cm 100”/ 254 cm).
When all panels are connected, it forms a panoramic scene of fifty inches or one hundred and twenty-seven
centimeters high by four hundred inches or thousand and sixteen centimeters wide (50”/ 127 cm x 400” / 1016 cm).
THE STORY OF AKUSIKA: THE GIRL WHO HAD A GOLDEN HAND
TRAGEDY
A long time ago, on a beautiful Wednesday morning, a miracle baby girl was born to a farmer and his wife after many years of barrenness. The couple, Atobrah and Afia, named their baby Aku to commemorate the day she was born. Three days later,
the happy farmer sadly became a widower – Aku was now his world. He dedicated his life to taking care of his miracle baby.
Atobrah was a hardworking man who always went to his farm in the morning to care for his produce. As a result of the tragedy that happened a few months ago, he had to balance taking care of his daughter and the farm, which was unfortunately not expected. It was a Monday at 7 am, which meant Atobrah had already fed his daughter and was ready to set off to the bush to hunt for animals to prepare lunch.
He decided to stay with his daughter since she was sick and, therefore, needed constant attention. Fortunately for this loving father, his house was a few meters from the bush, so he set a trap in front rather than in the middle of the bush to keep a close eye on his daughter. Although the bushmeat was usually found in the heart of the bush, Atobrah was still hopeful. Las! he heard a loud noise, which made him put Aku on the mat to grab the meat from the trap into the house. Aku, the 8-month-old mischievous baby, crawled toward the trap his father had reset, hoping to catch another animal.
No sooner had he entered his room than he heard a loud cry, which brought him to the incident scene. Hastily, he took Aku away from the trap and cradled her in agony and self-loathing. He delicately cleaned her wound and sadly put his crying baby to sleep. Atobrah cried out to the heavens, despising himself for allowing his wife to die and causing his little child's right hand to be amputated. The farmer, who was notably known to be cheerful and kind, soon died of depression, leaving Aku with Okrah and his wife, who everyone disliked due to their treacherous deeds.
Twenty difficult years passed, and Aku became a young, beautiful lady who was cheerful regardless. Aku, whose past life was kept a secret, was very popular due to her charming looks and always wearing beautifully woven dresses covering both arms completely. Many young girls took after her sense of fashion, making it a trend in the entire kingdom.
Aku ran towards the entrance to answer the door as the moon serenaded the chilly Thursday night. Unexpectedly, Okrah's wife grabbed her by the hair and scolded her to wear a dress that covered her arms since she didn't want people to know that Aku, whose popularity was their new source of income, was an amputee.
After the fifth knock, Aku answered the door, fully covered from neck to toe to receive the visitor. She had been invited as any twenty-year-old maiden to the king's durbar, held every decade for the king to have another queen. Although she was reluctant to go, her foster parents demanded that she should since they were selfishly expecting to make money off of it.
It was Friday night, and expensive ornaments were displayed at the king's palace, congested with desperate young women hoping to be chosen as new wives to enjoy a life of splendor.
Aku entered the palace court in a breathtaking dress when the ceremony ended. The king stood up at the sight of the beautiful creature and called her to his presence with his feed because the ceremony was a maize-pounding festival where all five women were made for pounding maize boithth hands.
Akusika–The Tragedy of her birth-Ink-Soil and Acrylic on b ... 0” 127 cm x 100” 254 cm
AGONY
No sooner had he entered his room than he heard a loud cry, which brought him to the incident scene. Hastily, he took Aku away from the trap and cradled her in agony and self-loathing. He delicately cleaned her wound and sadly put his crying baby to sleep. Atobrah cried out to the heavens, despising himself for allowing his wife to die and causing his little child's right hand to be amputated.
The farmer, who was notably known to be cheerful and kind, soon died of depression
leaving Aku with Okrah and his wife, who everyone disliked due to their treacherous deeds. Twenty difficult years passed, and Aku became a young, beautiful lady who was cheerful regardless. Aku, whose past life was completely kept secret, was very popular due to her charming looks and her always wearing beautifully woven dresses that covered both arms completely. Many young girls took after her sense of fashion, making it a trend in the entire kingdom.
Aku ran towards the entrance to answer the door as the moon serenaded the chilly Thursday night. Unexpectedly, Okrah's wife grabbed her by the hair and scolded her to wear a dress that covered her arms since she didn't want people to know that Aku, whose popularity was their new source of income, was an amputee. After the fifth knock, Aku answered the door, fully covered from neck to toe to receive the visitor. She had been invited as any twenty-year-old maiden to the king's durbar, held every decade, so the king could have another queen.
Although she was reluctant to go, her foster parents demanded that she should since they were selfishly expecting to make money off of it. It was Friday night, and expensive ornaments were displayed at the king's palace, congested with desperate young women hoping to be chosen as new wives to enjoy a life of splendor. Aku entered the palace court in a breathtaking dress when the ceremony ended. The king stood up at the sight of the beautiful creature and called her to his presence. With his fingers on her chin, he gently raised her lowered face and sighed in amazement.
As custom dictated, he had to pick his fifth and final contestant for the final ceremony scheduled for the next day. Aku was scared because the ceremony was a maize-pounding festival where all five women were made to pound maize- obviously with both hands.
HEALING
"You cannot think of going to that ceremony, Aku!", Okrah and his wife yelled at Aku after receiving the news. "We allowed you to go not to socialize but to use your undeserved popularity to sell our overpriced clothes. Listen, you should
die than be exposed as an amputee! We will destroy you before you disgrace us!"
Okrah's wife screamed at the top of her lungs as she grabbed Aku by the tip of her amputated arm, hoping to pull her down. Aku immediately stood up and ran out
of the house towards the river to escape from the village. Upon reaching the riverbank, she met a dark, slender man whose soothing voice was consoling the young lady. He made a daring proposition to help her, an offer that had always been
absent in her existence.
Before the man could finish his sentence, Aku agreed to his offer and convinced herself to do it no matter the stakes. The man from nowhere stepped closer to the river bank and began to recite incantations and spells as if he were expecting someone or something to respond.
Immediately as the clouds became heavy and the moon began to fade its light, a 2-meter snake emerged from the water and instructed a surprisingly frightened Aku to place her amputated arm in its mouth and close her eyes. A cool breeze blew on her face, and she heard a voice whisper, "You've been redeemed." Aku quickly opened her eyes only to see the mysterious visitors disappear just as they came- without a trace.
She felt a strange and familiar hand touch her right arm. Looking down, she realized that her right hand had been healed and decorated with Gold. With so much hardship she had endured in her life, that moment was the only time she felt a sense of purpose and desire to live.
Aku rested her eyes, and morning came. The time for the ceremony had
arrived, and everyone from all parts of the kingdom in their most expensive wardrobe sat and eagerly waited for the presentation of four women since Okrah's neighbors, who overheard the dispute from the previous night, informed the king's wives and the entire palace. As expected, four women were presented and given pestles to pound their maize so that they would be judged on their elegance by the king since maize pounding was one of the most unattractive tasks people of
the higher class witnessed the lower do.
COMMEMORATION
Like a goddess resurrected from the ashes, Aku entered the courts with her hands and body covered with her cloth. With poise and grace, she greeted the king and began pounding her maize using her left hand. Since it was customary to always
have five mortars and pestles; her tools had already been laid out days before the event.
The king's eldest wife, who was saturated with envy, stood up abruptly and approached the king in a loud voice, "My lord, this woman is a traitor who lost
her right hand to witchcraft!" The king, who was oblivious to the rumor,s gasped in awe and demanded that his queen be silenced since it was a very serious thing to accuse a young woman of witchcraft.
The queen, full of self-ego, walked up to the king, kissed his hand, and turned to all the guests, proclaiming that her life be taken if the young maiden was seen with
both hands. A protest began with all the guests, poor and rich alike, demanding the king order Aku to show both hands. Aku, pretending to be devastated, kneeled in front of the people, lowered her head, and raised both hands in the air.
Suddenly, the court was dead silent in shock and amazement at her right hand covered in Gold. Still speechless, the king asked Aku to draw closer to him, raised her hand, and hugged her. Another protest began for the queen's execution, although the king wished otherwise.
The king, leaving his wife to her fate, made an order that was to be obeyed by every
single being under his rule, "From this day, I, your king, have only one wife, and I declare that my beautiful queen be no longer called Aku but AKUSIKA (sika meaning riches, wealth or money in Akan), for not only is she mesmerizing, the gods
have adorned her in riches".
Stephen Abban Junior (b.1992) is a Ghanaian illustrator and a multidisciplinary artist currently working and living in Sekondi-Takoradi and a native of Mankessim, in the Central Region of Ghana. Abban studied visual arts in high school, holds a BTECH in Studio Practice from the Takoradi Technical University, and was awarded an Erasmus international exchange program by the European Commission in Hungary - Europe to study visual representation (Fine Art) at Eszterhazy Karoly University in Eger- Hungary. He has also exhibited at numerous international art exhibitions and fairs, including the Mauritius International Art Fair (MIAF).
Stephen Abban Junior I Fine Art
Takoradi - Ghana
+233547925181
Comments