Hand stamped Adinkra cloth – 1970s Ashanti “Woman” size 65″×47″

Hand stamped Adinkra cloth – Authentic 1970s Ashanti “Woman” size (65″ × 47″ / 165 cm × 119 cm)

Discover a beautifully aged, hand painted and hand embossed Adinkra cloth from Ghana. Crafted in the 1970s, this authentic Ashanti piece measures:

• 65″ × 47″ (165 cm × 119 cm)

The cloth is in very good vintage condition, showing gentle signs of age and usage, including a few stains that only enhance its rich history.

The Adinkra symbols were stamped using carved calabash blocks. Natural dye is made from the bark of the badie tree, heated with iron slag for 3 to 5 days until thick and richly colored. The artist selected various Adinkra stamps to assemble this expressive design. The cloth is embroidered to reinforce the hand-stamped patterns.

At the end of the listing, learn more about our Adinkra stamps and related collections:

• TribalGH’s Adinkra stamping blocks
• Adinkra symbol jewelry
• Educational blog about Adinkra symbols

About Adinkra cloths, symbols and Ashanti tradition

Adinkra cloths originate from the Akan and Ashanti cultures of Ghana. These cloths feature symbolic motifs that convey proverbs, values and historical narratives. Each Adinkra symbol represents a concept such as resilience, wisdom or unity. Traditional cloths are either hand-stamped or hand-woven. Our pieces are hand‑stamped using calabash blocks and natural dye derived from heating the bark of the badie tree with iron slag.

Originally, stamping blocks were carved from calabash and used to impress symbols onto cloth. The dye process involves simmering bark for days until a rich, dark color is achieved and then hand-painting or embossing the cloth. Historically, Adinkra cloths were worn at funerals and important ceremonies among the Ashanti, to signify mourning, status and cultural identity. They also appear during celebrations where symbols celebrate community values and spiritual beliefs.

The origins of Adinkra are linked to Nana Kofi Adinkra, a legendary king of Gyaman (in modern Ivory Coast), who was defeated and captured by the Ashanti king Bonsu Panyin. Adinkra is said to have worn a patterned cloth to reflect his sorrow during his transport to Kumasi, inspiring the tradition of wrapped patterned cloths connected to status and emotion.

Over centuries, Adinkra cloths have evolved as powerful cultural textiles in Ghana. While earlier examples were hand-woven, many later cloths like this one focus on hand-stamped techniques. This authentic 1970s piece reflects both the artisan tradition and Ashanti respect for symbolism. These cloths were never mechanically produced but crafted with reverence using calabash blocks and the slow, deliberate natural dye method.