Mid 20th Century Vintage Tribal Asafo Flag - Cloth Applique Ghana

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Gorgeous vintage double sided Asafo flag in predominantly red, burgundy, pink and magenta tones with yellow figures holding baskets over … Read more Gorgeous vintage double sided Asafo flag in predominantly red, burgundy, pink and magenta tones with yellow figures holding baskets over their heads, and the Union Jack flag symbol in the corner of each side. Measuring 52” / 132cm by 36” / 91cm for the body of the flag, with 2 ½” / 63mm fringe top, bottom and one side, for an overall dimension of 55” / 140 cm by 41” / 104cm. The yellow figures are approximately 16” / 41cm and the Union Jack symbol is 15.5” / 39cm by 12.5’ / 32cm.

The Asafo flags are regimental flags of the Fante people, an ethnic group that mainly resides in Ghana's central coastal region. The flags are influenced by a combination of Akan proverbs, visual imagery, and European heraldic tradition. The flags are carried on a procession through the village, and are used at annual festivals, funerals for company members, and other occasions. Asafo flags are one of the most important art forms to have come out of West Africa. They take images and naval insignia from 500 years of European colonial expansion and combine them with local traditions and culture to form a unique visual language that is very similar to that of Indian chintz, but much less well known. See less