Symbols and Metaphors of Ceramic Sculpture Receptacles
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32734/c235sv12Keywords:
Ceramic sculpture receptacles , metaphors, semiotics, symbols, Takoradi Technical University (TTU)Abstract
In Africa, the production of ceramic sculpture receptacles is a common artistic practice. This artistry has attracted a plethora of historical, cultural, archaeological, and ethnographic studies. Such studies have revealed some of these African ceramic sculpture receptacles' metaphorical, philosophical, social, and cultural contexts. However, the paucity of literature on the symbols and metaphors of the ceramic sculpture receptacles produced at Takoradi Technical University (TTU) in Ghana provides a research gap. The current study, therefore, sought to examine selected ceramic sculpture receptacles from the Ceramic Design Technology Department of TTU to reveal their symbolic and metaphorical connotations from the indigenous Ghanaian cultural context. The study utilised a qualitative research approach and a descriptive research design. Twelve (12) ceramic sculpture receptacles were purposively sampled, and triangulation of instruments, including non-participant observation, personal interviews, and document reviews, were used to elicit interpretative data from thirteen experts (lecturers & students of TTU), who were all practicing artists. The findings reveal that the twelve ceramic sculpture receptacles incorporate culturally revered animals (birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals) as decorative symbols. These animal-related metaphors are strongly tied to traditional Ghanaian society's sociocultural, religious, and political dimensions. These symbols reflect rich cultural values and philosophies, making the artefacts vital for preserving and promoting Ghanaian cultural heritage. The study recommends further research on other institutional artefacts to decode their embedded sociocultural repositories. This tends to promote and preserve Ghanaian cultural and artistic heritage, which serves as an educational tool for current and future generations.
Downloads
References
Acero, R. (2001). Making ceramic sculpture: Techniques, projects, inspirations. Lark Books.
Adom, D., Agyemang, O. & Manu, O. G. (2018). Ghanaian cultural symbols as wall decorations for cultural education and revitalization in higher institutions of Ghana: The case of K.N.U.S.T. Journal of Urban Culture Research, 16, 82-105.
Adom, D., Asante, E. A. & Kquofi, S. (2016). Adinkra: An epitome of Asante philosophy and history. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 6 (14), 42-53.
Adom, D. (2016). The philosophical epistemologies of Asante proverbs in Ghana's biodiversity conservation. Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 6 (7), 129-136.
Allen, M. (Ed.) (2017). The SAGE encyclopedia of communication research methods. SAGE Publications.
Anquandah, J. (1987). The stone circle sites of Komaland, Northern Ghana, in West African archaeology. The African Archaeological Review, 5, 171-180.
Anquandah, J. (1998). Koma-Bulsa: Its art and archaeology. Istituto Italiano Per L‟Africa e L‟Oriente.
Asante, E. A., Kquofi, S. & Larbi, S. (2015). The symbolic significance of motifs on selected Asante religious temples. Journal of Aesthetics & Culture, 7 (1), 27006.
Asmah, A. E., Mate, M. M. & Daitey, S. T. (2016). Tourist art: A prime phase of Sirigu art. European Journal of Research in Social Sciences, 4 (2), 1-14.
Asmah, A. E. & Okpattah, V. (2013). Sirigu symbols: A metaphoric element for batik prints. Arts and Design Studies, 12, 49-57.
Atanga, R. A. (2019). Stakeholder views on sustainable community-based ecotourism: A case of the Paga crocodile ponds in Ghana. GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites, 25 (2), 321–333. https://doi.org/10.30892/gtg.25204-362
Ayiku, R. K. (1998). Symbolic meanings in the Ghanaian arts: A step towards developing cultural literacy. PhD thesis, Concordia University.
Babbie, E. R. (2016). The basics of social research (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Backman, M. (2022, May 25). Gilded silver ‘Frog’ Ring, Akan people, Ghana, early-mid 20th century. Michael Backman Ltd. https://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/archived_objects/gilded-silver-frog-ring-akan-people-ghana-early-mid-20th-century/
Berzock, K. B. (2007). Ceramic arts in Africa: A curator’s perspective. African Arts, 40 (1), 10-17.
Bonifay, M. (2022). African economy: The ceramic evidence. In R. Bruce Hitchner (Ed.) (2022). A companion to North Africa in antiquity. John Wiley & Sons.
Bonetti, R. (2010). Alternate histories of the Abebuu Adekai. African Arts, 43 (3), 14-33.
Breunig, P. (2017). Exploring the Nok culture. Goethe University.
Chikwekwe, S. P. M. (1997). Understanding and dealing with ancestral practices in Botswana. PhD dissertation, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, Michigan.
Cole, H. M. & Ross, D. H. (1977). The arts of Ghana. Museum of Cultural History, University of California.
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. SAGE Publications.
Dartey, J. A. (2018). Investigating ancient human occupation at Zoboku: A Koma site in Northern Ghana. PhD thesis, University of East Anglia.
Deacon, T. W. (2012). The Oxford handbook of language evolution. In K. R. Gibson & M. Tallerman (Eds.) (2012). The symbol concept (393–405). University Press.
DeBraak, J. (2018). Aesthetics of native American pottery. In The International Encyclopedia of Art and Design Education, (1-7). Wiley-Blackwell.
DeGraft-Yankson, P. & Essel, O. Q. (2022, May 24). In search for definition: Investigation into the concept of art in Ghana. Exploring Visual Cultures. https://www.explore-vc.org/images/downloads/In_Search_for_Definition_Investigation_into_the_Concept_of_Art_in_Ghana_.pdf
Deikumah, J. P., Konadu, V. A. & Kwafo, R. (2015). Bird naming systems by Akan people in Ghana follow scientific nomenclature with potentials for conservation monitoring. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 11 (1), 75. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-015-0062-y
DeRenzo, E., Singer, E. R. & Moss, J. (2020). Ethical considerations when preparing a clinical research protocol. Elsevier Science.
Donkor, E. K., Micah, V. K. B. & Ankrah, O. (2020). Heraldic crest of Takoradi Technical University: An artistic and esoteric approach. Journal of African Arts & Culture, 4 (4), 71 – 96.
Ekong, C. E. (2018). Rethinking the preservative relevance of pottery to the development of Nigeria. Abraka Humanities Review, 8 (1), 59-72.
Fredriksen, P. (2023, May 25). Ceramics and archaeology in Southern Africa. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History. https://oxfordre.com/africanhistory/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.001.0001/acrefore-9780190277734-e-811.
Haour, A. (2010). African pottery roulettes past and present: Techniques, identification and distribution. Oxbow Books.
Hopper, R. (2008). Functional pottery: Form and aesthetic in pots of purpose. American Ceramic Society.
Gbogbo, F., Attuquayefio, D. & Krobea-Asante, A. (2009). Rodents and herpetofauna (Reptiles and Amphibians) as household pests in the Accra metropolis, Ghana. West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 11 (1), 10.4314/wajae.v11i1.45726.
Gong, B. M., Sukpasjaroen, K. & Chankoson, T. (2022). Ancient ceramic culture and technological characteristics of Xiaopi kiln ceramics. Arts, 11, 34. https://doi.org/10.3390/arts11010034.
Gyekye, K. (1996). African cultural values: An introduction. Sankofa Publishers.
Gyesi, Z. K. (2013, December 30). Totems: Are they of significance? Graphic Online. https://www.graphic.com.gh/features/features/totems-are-they-of-significance
Hellbusch, A. J. (1978). Animal symbolist in Akan art: Literature in wood and brass. Master’s thesis, California State University, Northridge.
Insoll, T., Kankpeyeng, B. W. & Nkumbaan, S. (2012). Fragmentary ancestors? Medicine, bodies and persons in a Koma mound, Northern Ghana. In K. Rountree, C. Morris & A. Peatfield (Eds.) (2012). Archaeology of Spiritualities, (23-42). Springer.
Insoll, T., Kankpeyeng, B. W., Nkumbaan, S. & Saako, M. (2012). Fragmentary ancestors: Figurines from Komaland, Ghana. Manchester Museum.
Jackson, N. & Wilroy, S. (2011, May 11). Sacred crocodile ponds of Paga. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/sacred-crocodile-ponds-of-paga
Kankpeyeng, B. W., Nkumbaan, S. N. & Insoll, T. (2011). Indigenous cosmology, art forms and past medicinal practices: Towards an interpretation of ancient Koma Land sites in Northern Ghana. Anthropology and Medicine, 18, 205- 216.
Kleiner, F. S. & Mamiya, C. J. (2005). Gardner's art through the ages: A global history (12th ed.). Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
Kquofi, S., Amate, P. & Tabi-Agyei, E. (2013). Symbolic representation and socio-cultural significance of selected Akan proverbs in Ghana. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(1), 86-98.
Kuwornu-Adjaottor, J. E. T., Appiah, G. & Nartey, M. (2016). The philosophy behind some Adinkra symbols and their communicative values in Akan. Philosophical Papers and Review, 7(3), 22-33.
Kwakye-Nuako, G. (2017). Totemic symbols and their significance in contemporary Ghanaian pottery. Journal of Arts and Humanities, 6 (1), 34-45.
Kwarteng, A. K. (2016). The Sankofa bird and reflection. Journal of Applied Christian Leadership, 10 (1), 60-69.
Kwarteng, K. O. (2006). The elephant in pre–colonial Ghana: Cultural and economic use values. Journal of Philosophy and Culture, 3 (2): 1-32.
Lauria, J., Adkins, G., Clark, G., Niederlander, R., Peterson, S. & Selz, P. (2000). Color and fire: Defining moments in studio ceramics, 1950-2000. Rizzoli International Publications.
Mawuli, A. C. (2019). Transmission and embodiment of heritage: An analysis Adinkra symbology on traditional clothing in Ghana. Master’s thesis, Central European University.
Micah, V. K. B., Donkor, E. K. & Ankrah, O. (2023). Artifacts from the perspective of the Effutu masquerade performance: An aesthetic album. African Arts, 56 (2), 48-63.
My Mondo Trading. (2023, May 26). The native meaning of symbology, myths and legends. My Mondo Trading. https://www.mymondotrading.com/native-meanings-symbology-myths-legends
Najafi, F. & Abbas, M. (2014). A study of the semiotic understanding of land art. Asian Social Science, 10 (17), 170- 184.
Nanashaitu, U. (2017). The indigenous Yoruba pottery: Processes and products. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 7 (20), 52-63.
National Gallery of Art. (2023, April 26). Della Robbia: A closer look. National Gallery of Art. https://www.nga.gov/features/della-robbia-a-closer-look.html
Navei, N. & Donkoh, S. (2022). Fabric symbology: Correlation between President Akufo Addo’s fabric choice and his COVID-19 addresses to Ghanaians. Journal of African History, Culture and Arts, 2(3), 158-175.
Navei, N. (2021). Cultural tourism potentials of Daŋi traditional pottery art. International Journal of Innovative Research & Development, 10 (9), 153-165.
Navei, N. (2020). Sociocultural contexts of Chaira pottery art. Journal of African Art Education, 1 (1), 1-18.
Neuman, W. L. (2013). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (7th ed.). Pearson Education.
Nortey, S. & Asiamoaso, E. (2019). The effect of the decline on pottery in Ghana and socio-economic implications on potters. Ghana Journal of Science, 60 (2), 42 – 54.
Ojua, T., Ishor, D. & Ndom, P. (2013). African cultural practices and health implications for Nigeria rural development. International Review of Management and Business Research, 2 (1), 176-183.
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Peirce, C. S. (1906). Prolegomena to an apology for pragmaticism. Monist, 16 (4), 492-546.
Peirce, C. S. (1931-1935). Collected papers of Charles Sanders Peirce (Vols. 1-6). Harvard University Press.
Peterson, J. H. (1993). Epilogue: Whales and elephants as cultural symbols. Arctic, 46 (2), 172–174. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40511509
Slater, J. (2019). Sankofa-the need to turn back to move forward: Addressing reconstruction challenges that face Africa and South Africa today. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, 45 (1), 1-24.
SpeedyPaper. (2022). An analysis of formalism, research paper sample. SpeedyPaper, May 12, 2023. https://speedypaper.com/essays/an-analysis-on-formalism
Swenson, E. & Cipolla, C. N. (2020). Representation and materiality in archaeology: A semiotic reconciliation. World Archaeology, 52 (3), 313-329.
Taylor-Powell, E. & Steele, S. (1996). Collecting evaluation data: Direct observation. University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Publications.
Thebe, P., Wilmsen, E., Killick, D., Rosenstein, D. D. & Denbow, J. R. (2009). Mmopi le Mmopa: Making pottery in Botswana today and c. 1000 years ago. Botswana Notes and Records, 41, 25-38.
Tsetli, Y. B. (2018). The origin of ancient pottery production. Journal of Historical Archaeology & Anthropological Sciences, 3 (2), 193–198.
Vogel, S. M., Carrieri, M. & Center for African Art. (1997). African aesthetics: The Carlo Monzino collection. Museum for African Art.
Wang, V. (Ed.) (2021). Promoting qualitative research methods for critical reflection and change. IGI Global.
Wemegah, R. (2013). Murals in Sirigu culture: Philosophical and cultural importance. International Journal of Arts and Commerce, 2 (3), 101-111.
Wemegah, R. (2009). Architecture, mural decoration and pottery in Sirigu culture. Master’s thesis, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
Werness, H. B. (2006). The Continuum encyclopedia of animal symbolism in art. Continuum.
Wiafe-Akenten, D. N. A. (2021). Contemporary use of proverbs in Akan news broadcast. African Social Science and Humanities Journal, 2 (3), 139-152.
Wright, C. (1999). Art and symbolism in Ewe religion: Ritual objects of the Yewe and Tro Mami worship in Klikor, Ghana. African Diaspora ISPs.
Yussif, I. & Adu-Gyamfi, V. E. (2017). Concepts of some indigenous pottery decorative techniques in Northern Ghana. European Scientific Journal, 13(32), 77-88.
Yussif, I., Adu-Gyamfi, V. E. & Tabi-Agyei, E. (2018). Documentation of some identified traditional pottery decorative techniques in Northern Ghana. Asian Research Journal of Arts & Social Sciences, 6(3), 1-11.
Zhi-hao, S. (2023). Research on the new era aesthetic transformation of traditional Chinese arts and crafts: The cases focusing on glass art. Humanities & Language: International Journal of Linguistics, Humanities, and Education, 1(1), 01-08. https://doi.org/10.32734/qxkg8a66
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Evans Kwadwo Donkor, Nyamawero Navei, Alexander Addae (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Authors agree to publish their work under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.
- Authors retain copyright to their work and may reuse or distribute it.
- HUMANIOLA reserves the right to request revisions and make final publication decisions.
- Authors are responsible for ensuring that their work does not infringe upon third-party copyrights.
- Archiving in digital repositories may be done for long-term access and preservation.
