History of the Asante Golden Stool

Today, we can find many replicas of the Asante people from Ashanti region of Ghana. These stools have a long history and a meaningful purpose to the Asante people. The "Golden Stool" is a royal throne which dates back to the late 17th Century and the legend of Okomfo Anokye. Anokye was an Ashanti priest who established a set of customs and rules for the people to follow. It is said Anokye caused the Golden Stool to fall from heaven onto the lap of the founder of the Asante nation, Osei Tutu. The Golden Stool was called Sika Dwa Kofi, meaning "Born on Friday," since it came from the sky on a Friday. Priest Anokye declared the stool "the soul and spirit of the Asante nation," and unified the nation towards an effective government using the stool to develop a "common citizenship" requiring "every person of the Asante union to place their loyalty in the stool." Only a high chief could touch the stool, and a new ruler was only legitimate if they had possession of the stool. The Golden Stool itself never touched the ground; it always rested on a blanket or mat. Also, the Golden Stool was not used as a stool, but instead was more of a shrine for the Asante.
*The picture noted above is a piece I currently have for sale on my website. It, as all my pieces, are original pieces from West Africa.

My First View of South Africa

When I got to South Africa, it was as if I was in a storybook tale. The train ride was just the start of my sensitivity to the aesthetic beauty and personal discovery for a lifetime commitment of passion to the continent of Africa. South Africa differs variously from West Africa, which is where my art is born. My footprint on South Africa is one of simple fun and vacation. I remember the innumerable seals covering the oceanfront. There had to be hundreds, even thousands, literally covering the land. It was a marvelous sight to witness. Another fascinating object that caught my attention was the two oceans. The Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean meet at the most southern tip of Africa. The point where these two bodies of water meet are unbelievably noticeable. It is a natural phenomenon! The Indian Ocean's eastern position creates warmer temperatures, while the Atlantic Ocean's western position is cooled. Assuming there are many reasons for the visual difference in the water, the two oceans seemed as if they stayed on their own side, divided almost. Again, it was a great experience in Africa. I can't wait until my next trip to South Africa, sometime the beginning of 2010!

Train ride to South Africa

Our train ride to South Africa last several days. The train itself was one of the most magnificent ways of travel I have ever experienced, and I have traveled the world. The entire inside of it was carved from elaborate cherry wood. Our suite was unbelievably beautiful, and had it's own private refrigerator stocked with blue scotch, which is the best scotch money can buy apparently. The caboose had a huge bar set up; it was the party room! You could eat in the privacy of your room, but we never did because the dining room was excellent. The scenery was so spectacular, not even your wildest imagination could explain its beauty. I highly recommend traveling via one of the trains to South Africa if at all possible. There are several options with price tags that suit anyone's budget. It is a must see!

Safari in Africa

Looking back on the wonderful times I spent traveling the world, it makes me think about our 1996 safari trip in Africa. My husband and I were staying at the Mala Mala, which are similar to huts, but really nice, upscale huts. We woke up the morning of our safari and opened our sliding glass doors overlooking the land, and right outside our room was a beautiful herd of rhinos. It was amazing! We toured the reserve in jeeps and saw a wild kill. It was a female lion killing a warthog, which were plentiful on the land. As we approached the lion, she took off running with us in pursuit through the jungle. The terrain was rugged, so we all had to hang on tight as the jeep tore across the land chasing the lion and her kill. We couldn't believe our eyes when we followed the lion back to cubs. She killed the hog to feed her cubs. It was an experience straight out of Planet Earth!