Ahenema

Last updated
Ahenema slippers Ahenema slippers.jpg
Ahenema slippers

Ahenema is a traditional, royal slipper worn by the Kings, Quees and children of the Akan, Ga, and Ewe ethnic groups in Ghana. This traditional slipper came to be worn by anyone to events such as festivals, funerals, wedding ceremonies and church. [1] [2]

Contents

History

Ahenema dates back to the 18th century during the reign of Asantehene Osei Kwadwo and Asantehemaa Konadu Yaadom. [3] In the past, Ahenema were worn by people of royal descent, and was often named after the king. The method of naming was later changed and the Ahemema was named after the children of the king. This was because the kings' name should not be mentioned in vain, hence the name Ahenema, which translates as king's children. The number 8 is carved into the sole of an Ahenema slipper as it represents stability. [4]

Types

There are two types of Ahenema. The first is the "Asansan tuo", which has a curved shape, and the other is the "Atine", which has a straight shape and is worn by chiefs.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crown</span> Form of headwear, symbolizing the power of a ruler

A crown is a traditional form of head adornment, or hat, worn by monarchs as a symbol of their power and dignity. A crown is often, by extension, a symbol of the monarch's government or items endorsed by it. The word itself is used, particularly in Commonwealth countries, as an abstract name for the monarchy itself as distinct from the individual who inhabits it. A specific type of crown is employed in heraldry under strict rules. Indeed, some monarchies never had a physical crown, just a heraldic representation, as in the constitutional kingdom of Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiara</span> Jeweled head ornament

A tiara is a jeweled head ornament. Its origins date back to ancient Iran, which was then adapted by Greco-Romans. In the late 18th century, the tiara came into fashion in Europe as a prestigious piece of jewelry to be worn by women at formal occasions. The basic shape of the modern tiara is a semi-circle, usually made of silver, gold or platinum and richly decorated with precious stones, pearls or cameos.

Slip-ons are typically low, lace-less shoes. The style which is most commonly seen, known as a loafer, slippers, or penny loafers in American culture, has a moccasin construction. One of the first designs was introduced in London by Wildsmith Shoes, called the Wildsmith Loafer. They began as casual shoes, but have increased in popularity to the point of being worn in America with business suits. Another design was introduced as Aurlandskoen in Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slipper</span> Informal footwear

Slippers are a type of shoes falling under the broader category of light footwear, that are easy to put on and off and are intended to be worn indoors, particularly at home. They provide comfort and protection for the feet when walking indoors.

Royal Highness is a style used to address or refer to some members of royal families, usually princes or princesses. Kings and their female consorts, as well as queens regnant, are usually styled Majesty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandal</span> Type of footwear with an open upper

Sandals are an open type of shoe, consisting of a sole held to the wearer's foot by straps going over the instep and around the ankle. Sandals can also have a heel. While the distinction between sandals and other types of footwear can sometimes be blurry, the common understanding is that a sandal leaves all or most of the foot exposed. People may choose to wear sandals for several reasons, among them comfort in warm weather, economy, and as a fashion choice. Usually, people wear sandals in warmer climates or during warmer parts of the year in order to keep their feet cool and dry. The risk of developing athlete's foot is lower than with enclosed shoes, and the wearing of sandals may be part of the treatment regimen for such an infection.

<i>Hanbok</i> Traditional Korean clothing

The hanbok is traditional clothing of the Korean people. The term hanbok is primarily used by South Koreans; North Koreans refer to the clothes as chosŏn-ot. The clothes are also worn in the Korean diaspora, especially by Koreans in China. Koryo-saram - ethnic Koreans living in the lands of the former Soviet Union - also retained a hanbok tradition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norwegian royal family</span> Family of the Norwegian monarch

Members of the Norwegian royal family are people related to King Harald V of Norway or former Norwegian monarchs. The current family who holds the throne are members of the House of Glücksburg who ascended to the Norwegian throne after the election of Prince Carl of Denmark as King of Norway during the dissolution of the Swedish-Norwegian union in 1905.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kebaya</span> Southeast Asian traditional clothing

A kebaya is an upper garment traditionally worn by women in Southeast Asia, notably in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Southern Thailand. It is also worn in parts of southern Philippines and Cambodia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Court shoe</span> Type of shoe with low-cut front

A court shoe or pump is a shoe with a low-cut front, or vamp, with either a shoe buckle or a black bow as ostensible fastening. Deriving from the 17th- and 18th-century dress shoes with shoe buckles, the vamped pump shape emerged in the late 18th century. By the turn of the 19th century, shoe buckles were increasingly replaced by black bows, which has remained the contemporary style for men's formal wear, leather or patent leather evening pumps ever since. This latter style is sometimes also called an opera pump or opera slipper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ballet shoe</span> Soft shoe worn for ballet dancing

A ballet shoe, or ballet slipper, is a lightweight shoe designed specifically for ballet dancing. It may be made from soft leather, canvas, or satin, and has flexible, thin full or split soles. Traditionally, women wear pink shoes and men wear white or black shoes. Skin-colored slippers—which are unobtrusive and thus give the appearance of dancing barefoot—are worn in modern ballets and sometimes modern dancing by both men and women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Head tie</span> Womens cloth head scarf

A head tie, also known as a headwrap, is a women's cloth head scarf that is commonly worn in many parts of West Africa and Southern Africa. The head tie is used as an ornamental head covering or fashion accessory, or for functionality in different settings. Its use or meaning can vary depending on the country and/or religion of those who wear it. Among Jewish women, the Biblical source for covering hair comes from the Torah in the book of Bamidbar Parshas Nasso which contains the source for the obligation of a married woman to cover her hair. An eesha sotah is a woman whose husband suspects her of having acted immorally. The Torah commands the Kohein to take various steps to demonstrate that the sotah has deviated from the modest and loyal path of most married Jewish women. Among the procedures, the pasuk clearly states: "ufora es rosh haisha..."and he shall uncover the hair of the head of the woman (5:18). One can only uncover something that has previously been covered; in this case the Torah is referring to the married woman's hair. Among Christian women in certain parts of the world, such as Africa and the Caribbean, the head tie is worn as a headcovering in obedience to 1 Corinthians 11:4–13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adinkra symbols</span> Ghanaian symbols that represent concepts or aphorisms

Adinkra are symbols from Ghana that represent concepts or aphorisms. Adinkra are used extensively in fabrics, logos and pottery. They are incorporated into walls and other architectural features. Adinkra symbols appear on some traditional Akan goldweights. The symbols are also carved on stools for domestic and ritual use. Tourism has led to new departures in the use of symbols in items such as T-shirts and jewellery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belly chain</span> Body jewelry worn around the waist

A belly chain or waist chain is the popular English term for the Indian jewelry called kamarband. The belly chain is a type of body jewelry worn around the waist. Some belly chains attach to a navel piercing; these are also called "pierced belly chains". They are often made of silver or gold. Sometimes a thread is used around the waist instead of a chain. The chain may be delicate and thin, or heavy and thick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Djellaba</span> Long loose-fitting unisex outer robe with full sleeves, worn in the Maghreb region of North Africa

The djellaba or jillaba, also written gallabea, is a long, loose-fitting unisex outer robe or dress with full sleeves that is worn in the Maghreb region of North Africa.

<i>Dopo</i> (clothing) Korean traditional overcoat

Dopo is a variety of po, or overcoat in hanbok, which was first worn in the middle of the Joseon since the 16th century. The dopo was mostly worn by male Confucian scholars called seonbi during the Joseon period. It was also worn by Kings and princes and government officers. The dopo held a strong Confucianism value. It was worn as an everyday outer garment by Neo-Confucian scholars, who wore it as an official form of clothing or as a ritual clothing. It was also an ordinary robe worn by the court officials. Since the 1894 reform, all varieties of po with wide sleeves, including the dopo, were prohibited to be worn by King Gojong and instead people had to wear the durumagi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen mother (Africa)</span> Female traditional rulers in Africa

Queen mother is a term used to describe certain female traditional rulers in African cultures. Though there is no general description of a "queen mother", as their roles have varied by society, political context, and culture, they generally play an important role in local government and "wield social power and influence."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makuṭa</span> Headdress used as crown in Southeast Asia

The makuṭa, variously known in several languages as makuta, mahkota, magaik, mokot, mongkut or chada, is a type of headdress used as crowns in the Southeast Asian monarchies of today's Cambodia and Thailand, and historically in Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Laos and Myanmar. They are also used in classical court dances in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand; such as khol, khon, the various forms of lakhon, as well as wayang wong dance drama. They feature a tall pointed shape, are made of gold or a substitute, and are usually decorated with gemstones. As a symbol of kingship, they are featured in the royal regalia of both Cambodia and Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Furlane (shoe)</span> Velvet shoe-slipper

Furlane or friulanes, also known as Gondolier slippers, are Venetian shoe slippers. Characterized by their flexible rubber soles, these shoes are usually flats or low heels, with velvet fabric uppers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghana–Yugoslavia relations</span> Bilateral relations

Ghana–Yugoslavia relations were historical foreign relations between Ghana and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Formal diplomatic relations at the level of Embassy were established in 1959. Both countries were the founding member states of the Non-Aligned Movement at the 1961 Non-Aligned Conference in Belgrade. President of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito paid his first State visit to Ghana in 1961, just one year after the full independence of the Dominion of Ghana.

References

  1. "The worth of "Ahenema" in today's fashion". www.ghanaweb.com. 22 April 2015. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  2. "Hidden Treasures of Ghana....Exhibit the Royalty of Ahenema". Business Day Ghana. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  3. Gardetti, Miguel Ángel; Larios-Francia, Rosa Patricia (2023). Sustainability Challenges in the Fashion Industry:Civilization Crisis, Decolonization, Cultural Legacy, and Transitions. Springer Nature Singapore. p. 272. ISBN   9789819903498.
  4. "Ahenema Ghanian Slippers". ADOLOPHINE. Retrieved 2020-05-06.

Why it is called 'Ahenema' / How to make Ghanaian Traditional Royal Slippers Ahenema on YouTube