Symbolic Wisdom Conveyed in the Traditional Ghanaian and Chinese Furniture Culture

Abstract

Symbolic wisdoms; distinguished but communicative wisdoms in the form of imagery (designs or symbols) by which a country, tribe, or ethnic group use to convey its rich culture and philosophies, have since been used in many mediums to communicate to people. Among the Ghanaians, the most popular symbolic wisdom "Gye Nyame" which translates as "except God", symbolizing God's supremacy and omnipotent is not only conveyed in textile design and architectural buildings but also in traditional Ghanaian furniture items. Among the Chinese, Dragon (Lóng), which symbolizes imperial power and authority, protection, good luck, male vigor, and fertility, is the most popular Chinese distinguished symbolic wisdom not only conveyed in textile design and architectural buildings but also in the traditional furniture items they use. There are more symbolic wisdoms used by the two countries in their Traditional furniture industry. They are to serve as a vessel for expression, posing a question or suggesting a possible answer. It is, however, a worry that though most Ghanaians and Chinese users of Traditional Furniture items with wisdoms conveyed in them know and can mention some associated with them respectively, they do not know the meaning or message the symbolic wisdoms carry. Given this, the study primarily aimed at researching the various symbolic wisdoms conveyed in the traditional Ghanaian and Chinese furniture items, to educate users to have indepth knowledge and understanding of their preferred symbols when conveyed in furniture items. The survey research design using the qualitative approach was adopted. The convenience and purposive sampling techniques were considered to select a sample size of 25 respondents each from the two countries for the study (50 respondents). A significant percentage; 55% and 43% users respectively of Traditional Ghanaian and Chinese furniture items with symbolic wisdoms conveyed in them do not know the meaning or message the symbolic wisdoms carry. The study is expected to help educate the users to get in-depth knowledge and understanding of the message the symbols carry rather than just picking and using crafty symbolic wisdom(s). Both Ghanaian and Chinese users are encouraged to find out the meaning and the message a preferred symbolic wisdom carries before it is used. Again, further studies need to be done on the influence symbolic wisdom(s) has/have on users, and how it/they corelates with their behaviour. Furthermore, studies on other peculiar symbolic wisdom conveyed in furniture items found in temples, churches, mosques, etc. needs to be researched.

Historical Overview of the Traditional Ghanaian Seats

“…Seats are something designed to support a person in a sitting position (Appiah-Kubi et al, 2021;Kisluk-Grosheide et al, 2016;Lin, 2010). Examples include; a stool, chair, pew, bench, or a platform on which one sits.…”

“…On the other hand, the queen mother's stools (ahemaa) are carried on the head (Ross, 2002). Animal and human motifs, as well as numerous geometric and abstract designs, are the main sources of the motifs and symbolic wisdom (Appiah-Kubi et al, 2021). They represent a variety of metaphorical or symbolic meanings and hint at or support the status, legitimacy, and convictions of the owner or user as well as the value and type of the stool.…”

“…The traditional stool serves several purposes in Ghanaian society. It is first and foremost a practical item that is present in every home (Appiah-Kubi et al, 2021). Anyone may own any number of stools, whether they are children or adults of whatever gender (K. Tweneboah, Personal Communication, 20th May 2021).…”

“…The stool becomes a sacred item when it is used to venerate ancestors in the presence of notable people. Appiah-Kubi et al, 2021). The chiefs, or "ahenfo," are the most important political units in Ghanaian society.…”

“…As the traditional seats are seen to portray the rich culture and philosophies of Ghana, they give identity to whoever uses them (Appiah-Kubi et al, 2021;Edusei, 2003;Cole & Ross, 1997). They are again famed for their magnificence and gorgeous decorations, but are also profoundly symbolic, with philosophical and sacred connotations (Appiah-Kubi et al, 2021). Symbolizing power and authority (N. Baffour, Personal Communication, 20th May 2021;N.…”