The many facets of Akan weights (beads) or Baule weights

 

Discovering Akan Weights: The Precious Heritage Behind Perles Rares Djonou

Did you know that behind every piece of jewelry from Perles Rares Djonou lies a millennia-old story, rich in symbolism and spirituality? 

The Akan, an iconic people of West Africa, are found between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Comprising 15 groups—including the Baoulé, Akan, Fante, and Ashanti—they are the creators of fascinating works of art: Akan bronze weights, also known as gold weights.

A Baoulé symbol as a starting point

To embody the soul of Perles Rares Djonou, I chose a powerful Baoulé symbol. It shines like a sun. It was with this symbol that I crafted my very first bracelet. An intimate, vibrant choice, full of meaning, and it is the one represented on the logo.

Sacred gold, omnipresent in nature

In Akan myths, gold is not merely wealth; it is a sacred gift. It is said to be found:

• In the air,

• In the mountains,

• In the earth,

• And even in the water… when the rainbow appears.

But before collecting it, a ritual must be observed:

One must thank the spirits of nature, the deities, and the spirits. And above all, never steal gold, lest you awaken a fearsome fetish. The punishment can be fatal.

Akan weights: a monetary system ahead of its time

Contrary to popular belief, trade among the Akan was not carried out by simple barter. They used brass or bronze weights to assess gold dust, a true currency.

Each weight represented a precise value, used to pay:

• taxes,

• services,

• goods,

• or even fines.

These weights were used with the Dja, a cloth containing all the necessary tools: a box, scales, a gold spoon, a sieve, a pan, a porcupine tail… a true monetary kit worthy of a great civilization.

Akan weights have been used in trade since the 13th century. They were used to weigh gold nuggets or gold dust, which served as currency. 
The shapes are sometimes geometric or representations of people, animals...
They also served as a means of communication that only initiates mastered.

Objects of art and transmission

But these weights are not merely economic tools. They are symbolic, spiritual, and social works of art.

• Figurative: they represent celestial bodies, animals, and figures from society.

• Abstract: mysterious geometric shapes.

• Polysyllabic: each weight can convey a proverb, a teaching, or a coded message.

In fact, the researcher Niangoran-Bouah showed that these weights formed a true cultural language.

Akan weights are imbued with philosophical, moral, and social symbols. Each shape tells a proverb, a value, a worldview.

From weight to ornament

Incorporated into PerlesRaresDjonou jewelry, Akan weights become modern talismans. They invite you to wear a message as much as a piece of jewelry.

The royal power of Akan weights

At the royal court, the Dja and its weights were used during sacred ceremonies. For example, pouring a weight preceded a major decision by the king: a symbolic gesture of purification and legitimation.

For example, if the king issued a new decree, he would pour a new weight. The weights were also used for ceremonies, in the context of justice, etc...

Inheriting a golden world

Among the Akan, weights are passed down from generation to generation. They embody family memory, ancestral values, and the power of invisible bonds.

At Perles Rares Djonou, every creation draws inspiration from this cultural richness. 
Every piece of jewelry tells a rare story, a pearl of Africa.

Want to know more?

Explore the world of Perles Rares Djonou and discover how these ancient treasures are transformed today into contemporary, radiant, and meaningful jewelry.