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Symbolic Splendour: Integrating Adinkra Symbols in Ghana’s Most Beautiful Set Design
This study explores the integration of Adinkra symbols into the set design of Ghana’s Most Beautiful (GMB), a popular beauty pageant and reality TV show that has aired on TV3; a private television station in Ghana. GMB showcases beauty, intelligence, cultural knowledge, and traditional values, celebrating Ghana's rich cultural heritage through female contestants representing the country's diverse ethnic groups. In response to the lack of coherent Ghanaian artistic elements in previous set designs, this study employed an artistic methodology to incorporate four Adinkra symbols, Okɔdeɛ Mmɔwerɛ, Duafe, Dweninimmɛn, and Mate Masie, into the set design for the show’s eighth season. These symbols, signifying beauty, strength, wisdom, and unity respectively, were creatively integrated into a crown-like set design for the grand finale, harmonizing aesthetic trends with cultural significance. The design process was informed by rigorous research and stakeholder interviews, ensuring that the selected symbols conveyed the intended cultural messages. The results highlight the potential of traditional symbols to enhance both the cultural relevance and visual appeal of television productions. The project enriches the cultural depth of GMB production and offers a blueprint for incorporating indigenous symbols into contemporary set design. The study recommends that future productions continue exploring traditional symbols to deepen the appreciation of Ghanaian heritage and strengthen cultural identity through visual arts.
This study explores the integration of Adinkra symbols into the set design of Ghana’s Most Beautiful (GMB), a popular beauty pageant and reality TV show that has aired on TV3; a private television sta... Read more
Figure 1. Billboard advertising GMB season 8 (Source: From field work).
Figure 2. <i>Adinkra</i> symbols: <i>Ok</i><i>ɔ</i><i>de</i><i>ɛ</i><i> </i><i>Mm</i><i>ɔ</i><i>wer</i><i>ɛ</i><i> </i>(Talons of eagle); Source: www.adinkra.org
Figure 3. <i> Adinkra</i> symbol <i>Duafe</i> (Wooden comb); Source: www.adinkra.org
Figure 4. <i> Adinkra</i> symbol <i><b>Dweninimm</b></i><i><b>ɛ</b></i><i><b>n</b></i> (ram horn); Source: www.adinkra.org
Figure 5. <i> Mate Masie </i>(What I hear, I keep); Source: www.adinkra.org
Figure 6. Original <i>Ok</i><i>ɔ</i><i>de</i><i>ɛ</i><i> </i><i>Mm</i><i>ɔ</i><i>wer</i><i>ɛ</i><i> </i>(Talons of eagle) <i>Adinkra </i>symbol; Source: www.adinkra.org
Figure 7. Artistically rendered <i>Ok</i><i>ɔ</i><i>de</i><i>ɛ</i><i> </i><i>Mm</i><i>ɔ</i><i>wer</i><i>ɛ</i><i> </i>(Talons of eagle); Source: Researcher’s construct
Figure 8. Original <i>Duafe</i> (Wooden comb) <i>Adinkra </i>symbol; Source: www.adinkra.org
Figure 9. Artistically rendered <i>Duafe</i> (Wooden comb); Source: Researcher’s construct
Figure 10. <i> </i>Original <i><b>Dweninimm</b></i><i><b>ɛ</b></i><i><b>n</b></i> (ram horn) <i>Adinkra</i> symbol; Source: www.adinkra.org
Figure 11. Artistically rendered <i><b>Dweninimm</b></i><i><b>ɛ</b></i><i><b>n</b></i><i><b>; </b></i>Source: Researcher’s construct
Figure 12. <i> Mate Masie </i>(What I hear, I keep); Source: www.adinkra.org
Figure 13. Star; Source: shutterstock.com
Figure 14. artistically rendered <i>Ok</i><i>Ɔ</i><i>de</i><i>ɛ</i><i> </i><i>mm</i><i>Ɔ</i><i>wer</i><i>ɛ</i> and the <i>Duafe</i><i>; </i>Source: Researcher’s construct
Figure 15. Artistically rendered <i>Ok</i><i>Ɔ</i><i>de</i><i>ɛ</i><i> </i><i>mm</i><i>Ɔ</i><i>wer</i><i>ɛ</i>, <i>Duafe</i> and <i>Mate Masie </i>symbol; Source: Researcher’s construct
Figure 16. All four artistically rendered symbols: <i>Ok</i><i>Ɔ</i><i>de</i><i>ɛ</i><i> </i><i>mm</i><i>Ɔ</i><i>wer</i><i>ɛ</i>, <i>Duafe</i>, <i>Mate Masie </i>and <i>Dweninimm</i><i>ɛ</i><i>n</i><i>; </i>Source: Researcher’s construct
Figure 17. All four artistically rendered symbols: <i>Ok</i><i>Ɔ</i><i>de</i><i>ɛ</i><i> </i><i>mm</i><i>Ɔ</i><i>wer</i><i>ɛ</i>, <i>Duafe</i>, <i>Mate Masie </i>and <i>Dweninimm</i><i>ɛ</i><i>n</i><i> </i>with the eight stars; Source: Researcher’s construct
Figure 18. Final design; Source: Researcher’s construct
Figure 19. Working drawing for <i>Ok</i><i>Ɔ</i><i>de</i><i>ɛ</i><i> </i><i>mm</i><i>Ɔ</i><i>wer</i><i>ɛ</i><i>; </i>Source: Researcher’s construct
Figure 20. Working drawing for <i>Duafe</i><i>; </i>Source: Researcher’s construct
Figure 21. Working drawing for <i>Mate Masie</i><i>; </i>Source: Researcher’s construct
Figure 22. Working drawing for <i>Dweninimm</i><i>ɛ</i><i>n</i><i>; </i>Source: Researcher’s construct
Figure 23. Working drawing for the stars; Source: Researcher’s construct
Figure 24. Cutting out of the symbols on the polystyrene; Source: Researcher on field
Figure 25. Sideview of the set under construction; Source: Researcher on field
Figure 26. Front view of the set under construction; Source: Researcher on field
Figure 27. Construction team putting finishing touches to the set; Source: Researcher on field
Figure 28. Final set with the final contestants playing in front of the set; Source: Researcher on field