Eagle and lion

Asafo flags can be traced to 18th century Ghanaian Fante communities like Elmina and Cape Coast. The flags belonged to Asafo Companies who were key facilitators of security, entertainment, cultural rites like funeral rites, sanitation and developmental projects in the communities. The Asafo is a military styled organisation. ‘Asafo’ is an Akan word derived from ‘Sa’ and ‘Fo’ meaning war and people respectively.

The flags, known in the local Mfante language as ‘Frankaa’, are a figurative language. Their motifs illustrate Akan proverbs, riddles and other sayings.

These Asafo flags were first exhibited as part of the Nubuke collection in an exhibition in 2006.

In this flag, the union Jack appears at the top right corner. Two animals, what seems to be a lion and a large bird in flight (possibly an eagle) all painted black, can be seen in the flag.