Larissa Danowitz
Overbrook High School-Pine Hill NJ
High School Division Winner
AENJ Breakfast and a Workshop
Adinkra-Inspired
Self Portrait Pillows
Multicultural Lesson
Grade Level-High School
(can be modified for elementary and middle school)
OBJECTIVES
● Experiment with the idea of self portrait and symbolism
● Learn about Adinkra symbols and meanings
● Create a handmade stamp that represents self identity
● Compare today's use of symbols with those of traditional
African Adinkra usage
● Create self identity pillow that reflects a personal design
inspired by Adinkra symbols and techniques
● (optional) Compare cross cultural perspectives of Adinkra symbolism, Kwanzaa and Christmas.
Adinkra means “saying goodbye or farewell”, in the language of the Akan people of Ghana.
Adinkra symbols are visual messages, in the form of figurative and stylized geometric shapes,
printed on cloths used for mourning and other special occasions. These symbols originated in
Ghana and are often made by woodcut stamps on fabric with black dye made from the bark of a
badie tree. The symbols represent the wearers feelings and sentiment about the deceased.And
when used for other occasions they represent concepts or original thoughts.The stamps have
personal meanings, giving the garment not only a beautiful design, but also a message.
Traditionally designed fabric was usually worn for special occasions, such as funerals, but can
be seen on walls, pottery and even in modern merchandise.
Adinkra symbols used to inspire Sheva's tattoo-Resident Evil Video Game 
Larissa Danowitz
Overbrook High School-Pine Hill NJ
High School Division Winner
AENJ Breakfast and a Workshop
Procedures
1. Discuss the idea of how artists express “self” in self portrait. Look at various
examples of traditional portraits to experimental abstract and conceptual portraits.
2. Look at traditional African Adinkra cloth and textiles. Discuss the meanings of the
symbols and how the cloths represent the people who wear them. Read the bottom of
the Adinkra Cloth Symbols Chart Worksheet
3. (Option read “The Talking Cloth” By Rhonda Mitchell to elementary levels.
4. Look up how Adinkra patterns are used today in our culture.
5. Ask students to write their name at the top of paper. Have students pass the paper
around the room so that each student can write words that describe the name on the
top of the paper. (remind them to use constructive descriptive words)
6. Now ask students to look at the Adinkra symbol chart and find symbols that match the
list of words. Students may also add words that describe themselves to the list.
7. Ask students to think about how they would describe themselves as symbol. Discuss
the ways in which we use symbols to communicate today. (Think emoji)
8. Sketch 3 examples of simple designs in sketchbook using “Workbook” format. Make
a unique design that represents oneself as a means of self portrait. Students may use
Adinkra symbols for inspiration and design.
9. Choose one to transfer the designs from paper to a rubber stamp block. Attach
stamping rubber to a wooden block for support. on wood or cardboard blocks.
10. Draw or trace 3 small designs on stamp rubber. These designs should be about 3" x
3"
11. Cut 2 pieces fabric that will be used for the pillow. Sizes can range from 12x12 but no
larger than 16x16 . Choose colors for the stamps that will coordinate with one another
and compliment the design.
12. Practice designs on scrap paper. Create at least 3 ideas. Choose one of the designs
and stamp the pattern on the fabric.
13. Sew the fabric pieces together using a sewing machine or baseball stitch by hand.
(This is a great opportunity to teach students how to use the sewing machine=life
skills) Lay each piece next to one another and sew up on each side, weaving under
the cloth from side to side. Taping or pinning the cloth together as you sew will help
keep it in place.
14. Fold the pillow over and whip stitch around the edges of 3 sides. Stuff loosely with
fiberfill and sew the remaining side.
RESOURCES
https://www.murrieta.k12.ca.us/Page/4065
https://www.zazzle.com/adinkra+symbols+pillows
Inspired by-Lesson page http://www.dickblick.com/multicultural/adinkrapillows/
Larissa Danowitz
Overbrook High School-Pine Hill NJ
High School Division Winner
AENJ Breakfast and a Workshop
Larissa Danowitz
Overbrook High School-Pine Hill NJ
High School Division Winner
AENJ Breakfast and a Workshop
KWANZAA PRINCIPLES
DEC 26
27
28
29
30
31
1
Umoja
(Unity)
Kujichagulia
(Self-Determination)
Ujima
(Collective
Work &
Responsibility)
Nia
(Purpose)
Kuumba
(Creativity)
Imani
(Faith)
[Decide with
your family
how you will
celebrate
today and
recognize the
principle of
Umoja.]
[Decide with your
family how you will
celebrate today and
recognize the
principle of
Kujichagulia.]
[Decide with your
family how you
will celebrate
today and
recognize the
principle of
Ujima.]
[Decide with
your family
how you will
celebrate
today and
recognize the
principle of
Nia.]
[Decide with
your family how
you will
celebrate today
and recognize
the principle of
Ku-umba.]
[Decide with
your family how
you will
celebrate today
and recognize
the principle of
Imani.]
To strive for
and maintain
unity in the
family,
community,
nation, and
race.
To define ourselves,
name ourselves,
create for ourselves,
and speak for
ourselves.
To build and
maintain our
community together
and make our
brothers’ and
sisters’ problems
our problems and
to solve them
together.
To make our
collective
vocation the
building and
developing of
our community
in order to
restore our
people to their
traditional
greatness.
To do always as
much as we can,
in the way we
can, in order to
leave our
community more
beautiful and
beneficial than
we inherited it.
To believe with
all our heart in
our people, our
parents, our
teachers, our
leaders, and the
righteousness
and victory of
our struggle.