GRAPHICAL SYMBOLISM OF ADAEKℇSEℇ FESTIVAL: INDEPENDENT VISUAL COMMUNICATION TOOL OF VERBAL LANGUAGE

ABSTRACT
The primary focus of this study was to present selected graphical symbolism of Adaekԑseԑ festival
of the Asante Kingdom in Ghana and brings out the communicative values embedded in them. The
study seeks to buoy up the comprehension of usage of how graphical symbolism of Adaekԑseԑ
festival are used in a more communicative way by the current generation of the Asante on what
they communicate independently of verbal language and their implications for the festival. The
research method employed to unearth information were qualitative research approach and
descriptive. The research tools employed were extensive observation at the Adaekԑseԑ festival
celebration ground including regalia and paraphernalia, document reviews and verbal data from
persons who are knowledgeable about the displayed graphical symbolism, and photographs of the
graphical symbolism for data description. Expert purposive sampling method was adopted in this
study. The major findings of this study revealed that although the graphical symbolism of
Adaekԑseԑ festival have hidden symbolic and philosophical meanings that can be used to educate
and inform the society of the rich cultural heritage of the Asante Kingdom, they were specifically
used to communicate independently of verbal language during the festival. The study concluded
that the graphical symbolism of Adaekԑseԑ festival communicates independently of verbal
language among traditionally and culturally endowed or trained royals and subjects during the
festival.
Key Words: Graphical Symbolism, Adaekԑseԑ Festival, Asante Kingdom, Visual
Communication, Verbal Language.