Akrafena

The Afena is a sword of Ashanti from West Africa.

Description

The Afena has a single-edged, bulbous blade. The blade has no midrib and not hollow ground. It is usually broken with traditional or cultural patterns. The book consists mostly of wood. The booklet and the knob are decorated with spherical shape and decorated with carvings.

Versions

The Afena swords are classified by use into two subgroups:

  • Akrafena

The Akrafena is worn on the right side of the body. It represents its religious use, the soul and the spiritual well -being of the wearer. His magical powers that are attributed to him by the Asante, serve as protection for the ruler and is often in a spiritual cleansing ceremony that represents the purification of the soul. A special sword of this type is the Bosummuru, to which the king to take the oath on the state and use the Kings to dance during their enthronement.

  • Bosomfena

The Bosomfena is worn on the left side of the body. It repräsantiert the political and temporal authority, as well as the ego or the perceived personality of the wearer. It is also used in an important ceremony in which a new ruler doffing his allegiance to the people of Asante. A special sword of this type is the Mponponsuo, decorated larger than the others and rich. It is of all the kings used to store their oath of allegiance to the state.

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