Asafo Flags

Made by the Fante people of Ghana. These flags are visual artistic representations of organizations in Fante communities. Asafo companies developed as military organisations of young men in the Fante villages, adapting flags and other European-inspired regalia to local use. The Fante people who live along the Central Region of Ghana's coast traded extensively with Europeans and were avid buyers of imported cloth. Lacking a standing army during the 17th century the Fante organized military groups called ‘Asafo’, the name is derived from ‘sa’ meaning war and ‘fo’ meaning people. Today newly made flags are facing a decline as they are no longer used for war but for peaceful festival displays and enstoolment of new chiefs the demand has dropped with old traditions fading. Asafo flags still hold an important part of communal life in Fante villages among the Asafo groups.