The Poetics of Traditional Ghanaian Beads

α
Dr. Peter Arthur
Dr. Peter Arthur
σ
Vesta E. Adu Gyamfi
Vesta E. Adu Gyamfi
ρ
Dr. Kwabena Asubonteng
Dr. Kwabena Asubonteng
α Kwame Nkrumah University

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The Poetics of Traditional Ghanaian Beads

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Abstract

The use of beads in Ghana is a site for a robust cultural meaning-making. Beads have been very popular in the past and are growing stronger in popularity with modernity to the extent that their modern meanings seem to be eclipsing the traditional ones. This paper takes us back to their traditional meanings by examining closely their relationship with the wearer. Using qualitative instruments of research methodology basically through interviews and participant observation, this paper, by examining the bead as a cultural text, identifies two main relationships between the bead and the wearer: the synecdochic and the metonymic relationships. Using mainly linguistic theories to interrogating these relationships, the paper, relying on the entextualization theory of Michael Silverstein and Greg Urban and the performance theory of Richard Bauman, discovers that in addition to being objects of aesthetics as the modern meanings mainly suggest, the bead has very important traditional meanings. The paper also demonstrates that where the bead is placed on the body is a function of traditional meanings. Again, when the bead is used is also contingent upon traditional meanings.

References

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Funding

No external funding was declared for this work.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

No ethics committee approval was required for this article type.

Data Availability

Not applicable for this article.

How to Cite This Article

Dr. Peter Arthur. 2015. \u201cThe Poetics of Traditional Ghanaian Beads\u201d. Global Journal of Human-Social Science - H: Interdisciplinary GJHSS-H Volume 15 (GJHSS Volume 15 Issue H2): .

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Issue Cover
GJHSS Volume 15 Issue H2
Pg. 39- 52
Journal Specifications

Crossref Journal DOI 10.17406/GJHSS

Print ISSN 0975-587X

e-ISSN 2249-460X

Keywords
Classification
GJHSS-H Classification: FOR Code: 410199
Version of record

v1.2

Issue date

March 20, 2015

Language
en
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The use of beads in Ghana is a site for a robust cultural meaning-making. Beads have been very popular in the past and are growing stronger in popularity with modernity to the extent that their modern meanings seem to be eclipsing the traditional ones. This paper takes us back to their traditional meanings by examining closely their relationship with the wearer. Using qualitative instruments of research methodology basically through interviews and participant observation, this paper, by examining the bead as a cultural text, identifies two main relationships between the bead and the wearer: the synecdochic and the metonymic relationships. Using mainly linguistic theories to interrogating these relationships, the paper, relying on the entextualization theory of Michael Silverstein and Greg Urban and the performance theory of Richard Bauman, discovers that in addition to being objects of aesthetics as the modern meanings mainly suggest, the bead has very important traditional meanings. The paper also demonstrates that where the bead is placed on the body is a function of traditional meanings. Again, when the bead is used is also contingent upon traditional meanings.

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The Poetics of Traditional Ghanaian Beads

Vesta E. Adu Gyamfi
Vesta E. Adu Gyamfi
Dr. Peter Arthur
Dr. Peter Arthur Kwame Nkrumah University
Dr. Kwabena Asubonteng
Dr. Kwabena Asubonteng

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