A critical survey of Akan (Ghanaian) collections in the Natal Museum.

Abstract

This thesis surveys the Akan collections in the Natal Museum, Pietennaritzburg. Chapter one of this thesis gives a historical overview of Akan cultural traditions. The second chapter introduces the main focus of the thesis by surveying two collections of Akan works accessioned into the Natal Museum during the first decade of the twentieth century. Chapter three analyses contextually the Akan collections on the basis of their social and symbolic functions at their African place of origin. The fourth chapter focuses on the Akan goldweights in the Natal Museum and discusses their historical traditions, methods of production, and contextual use.