Colour In Ghana

Colour is significant to Ghanaian in this day and age. Not only aesthetically but also for the symbolic representation of our traditions. Ghanaians are brought up to be very colour-sensitive and tend to use the colurs percieved in their environment to interpret situations within it. Here are some colours and their meanings...
White -Known as 'Fitaa' or 'Afufuw' in Twi
It symbolizes victory, joy, innocence, purity, virginity, virtue. People were white on Happy occasions, such as naming of a child.
Black - Known as 'Tumtum' in Twi
Black represents sorrow, evil, death, vice,.. Black is worn at Funerals.
Green - 'Abunu' in Twi
Green signifies newness, fertility, vitality, primeness. Worn at coming-of -age ceremonies.
Red - Known as 'Kokoo'
Represents Anger, war, sundden calamity, violence,aggressiveness, irritation, disatisfaction and sorrow. People tie stips of red cloth around their heads during the early sate of a funeral to show taht the deceased was very close to them and that his death is a terrible loss to them.
Blue - 'Ababasu' in Twi
Means love, serenity and female tenderness. At puberty, girls being initiated have blue in their attire
Grey - "Ankahosu'
Grey signifies shame, illness.
Yellow ('Aakoangoa') or Gold ("Sikasu')
Gold represents royalty, power, influence, long-life, warmth, controlled fire. Yellow also means royalty, glory, maturity and prosperity. Chiefs use gol and yellow adornments during durbers.
Ghanaians are not the only people who have symbolic meanings for colour. Other people do. However meanings vary amongst people of diffrient origin. So whatever applies in Papua New Guinea, for instance, may not apply in Ghana. That is why it is important not to generalize the meaning of colours.

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