Adinkra Grapher: Geometry and Computational thinking from West Africa

Adinkra are traditional symbols of the Asante people of Ghana. Each symbol represents a certain belief or proverb. They can be seen everywhere in Ghana - on water bottle labels, carved into fences, on the backs of plastic chairs. Most often Adinkra is stamped onto cloth, creating a garment traditionally worn during ceremonies and festivals. On this site, you will learn about the origins of Adinkra, what the symbols mean, and how cloth is stamped. You will then use either geometry or programming to simulate traditional Adinkra symbols, and create your own original designs.

Hanging Adinkra Cloth