Title:
GRAPHICAL SYMBOLISM OF ADAEKESE FESTIVAL: INDEPENDENT VISUAL COMMUNICATION TOOL OF VERBAL LANGUAGE

Authors:
Dr. Joseph Essuman , Dr. Eric Kwadwo Amissah and James Kwasi Gyimah ,Ghana

Abstract:
The primary focus of this study was to present selected graphical symbolism of Adaek?se? festival of the Asante Kingdom in Ghana and brings out the communicative values embedded in them. The study seeks to buoy up the comprehension of usage of how graphical symbolism of Adaek?se? festival are used in a more communicative way by the current generation of the Asante on what they communicate independently of verbal language and their implications for the festival. The research method employed to unearth information were qualitative research approach and descriptive. The research tools employed were extensive observation at the Adaek?se? festival celebration ground including regalia and paraphernalia, document reviews and verbal data from persons who are knowledgeable about the displayed graphical symbolism, and photographs of the graphical symbolism for data description. Expert purposive sampling method was adopted in this study. The major findings of this study revealed that although the graphical symbolism of Adaek?se? festival have hidden symbolic and philosophical meanings that can be used to educate and inform the society of the rich cultural heritage of the Asante Kingdom, they were specifically used to communicate independently of verbal language during the festival. The study concluded that the graphical symbolism of Adaek?se? festival communicates independently of verbal language among traditionally and culturally endowed or trained royals and subjects during the festival.