This is Not the End

If you've seen the Black Panther movie, the scene where Prince T'Challa returns home shows the Wawa Aba symbol.

This is the first time an Adinkra symbol is shown in the movie.

The Wawa Aba is the symbol of symbol of hardiness, toughness and perseverance. It literally means "seed of the wawa tree".

The seed of the wawa tree is extremely hard. In Akan culture, it is a symbol of someone who is strong and tough. It inspires the individual to persevere through hardship

The symbol is shown below:

This series was borne out of a desire to fight for the little bits of African culture that remain after the last 500 years of devastation.

The search is on for what parts of our cultural heritage we can use to build the life of our dreams. Everywhere you look, the African lives without quality and dignity.

However, we cannot be aided into development. Any sustainable development must come from within. I believe that the key to unlocking our potential lies in remembering the past.

As at this writing the movie Black Panther has become the ninth-highest-grossing film of all time.

Its success points to the fact that there is a hunger for content that elevates African dignity.

A lot has been lost. To bemoan the past would be to lose sight of the battles we can win right now.

The battles we can win right now are the battle against our ignorance of self, a lack of unity and a lack of support for the little we have left.

This is Not the End.

But for this blog, this series has come to an end. I will be reviewing and rewriting the contents of Drawing Adinkra Symbols using Python on my author platform later in the year.

I am a recipient of the Google Africa Challenge Scholarship Program so I will be out of action for the next 2 months. I need to focus that time on finishing the course as best as I can.

So my journey on this blog has come to an end.

I shall condense the contents of this series into 42 blog posts as soon as I get back from participation in Phase 1 of the Google Africa Challenge Scholarship Program.

You can sign up for my newsletter to stay in touch.

It's been 46 weeks since I started this series. I am grateful to be able to close the curtain on it.

See you at my author platform.

This post is part of the series: Drawing Adinkra Symbols using Python. The goal is to draw 40 Adinkra symbols using the Python programming language.

UAC Nkanea

UAC Nkanea means "UAC lights". It is the symbol of technological advancement.

Several of the symbols in the adinkra cloths record social changes that have been brought about by both external and internal factors.

For example, the Aban (Castle, Fortress), Kuronti ne Akwamu (Council of State), Ohene Tuo (King’s Gun), UAC Nkanea (UAC Lights), Benz, Television, Kookoo Dua (Cocoa Tree), and Sedee or Serewa (Cowrie Shell) symbols record specific technological developments and historical events that led to particular changes and factors that influenced the direction of such changes in the Asante (Akan) and Ghanaian society.

We will use the 5 pixel grid to trace out this image. The image of this is shown below:

The plan to draw this shape is given below:

1. Set the pensize to 40 pixels
2. Lift the pen up
3. Starting with the part of the symbol in the upper left quadrant, change the heading to the heading for the starting point in that quadrant
4. Move it to the starting point for the quadrant
5. Place the pen down
6. Move forward by 90 pixels
7. Turn right by 90 degrees
8. Move forward by 170 pixels
9. Turn right by 90 degrees
10. Move foward by 120 pixels
11. Move backward by 30 pixels
12. Turn left by 90 degrees
13. Move forward by 90 pixels
14. Repeat steps 2 to 12 changing the heading for the quadrant

Using Turtle Graphics

We will use the template.py file and rename it to uac.py.

The code for step 1 is shown below:

turtle.pensize(40)

Steps 2 to 13 repeat so we will use a function that draws the portion of the shape in a quadrant.

The code for the function is shown below:

def drawInQuadrant(x, y, heading):

    turtle.penup()

    turtle.setposition(x, y)

    turtle.setheading(heading)

    turtle.pendown()

    turtle.forward(90)

    turtle.right(90)

    turtle.forward(170)

    turtle.right(90)

    turtle.forward(120)

    turtle.backward(30)

    turtle.left(90)

    turtle.forward(90)

The code to call the function is shown below:

drawInQuadrant(-170, 80, 90)

The generated image is shown below:

To draw the remaining parts of the symbol, we need the coordinates of the remaining points and their respective headings.

Moving in a clockwise fashion, they are:

1. (80, 170) with heading 0
2. (170, -80) with heading 270
3. (-80, -170) with heading 180

The code to call the functions is shown below:

drawInQuadrant(80, 170, 0)

drawInQuadrant(170, -80, 270)

drawInQuadrant(-80, -170, 180)

The generated image is shown below:

Conclusion

At the end of this section, we have successfully drawn the UAC Nkanea symbol.

This post is part of the series: Drawing Adinkra Symbols using Python. The goal is to draw 40 Adinkra symbols using the Python programming language.

Som Onyankopon

Som Onyankopon means "Worship God". It is the symbol of devotion to God.

We will use the 5 pixel grid to trace out this image. The image of this is shown below:

The plan to draw this shape is given below:

1. Lift up the pen
2. Set the pensize to 40 pixels
3. Draw the vertical line at the centre
4. Draw all the U shaped figures
5. Draw the horizontal line

Using Turtle Graphics

We will use the template.py file and rename it to som.py.

The code for steps 1 and 2 are shown below:

turtle.penup()

turtle.pensize(40)

To draw the vertical line, we move the turtle to the position (0, 160) and move forward by 140 pixels.

The code to do this is shown below:

turtle.setposition(0, 160)

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(270)

turtle.forward(220)

The generated image is shown below:

Working from the bottom, we shall draw the U shaped symbols and then the final horizontal line.

To draw the first U shape, we move the turtle to the position (-40, -80), move 80 pixels, turn to the left by 90 degrees and move another 80 pixels.

The code to do this is shown below:

turtle.penup()

turtle.setposition(-40, -80)

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(270)

turtle.forward(80)

turtle.left(90)

turtle.forward(80)

turtle.left(90)

turtle.forward(80)

The generated image is shown below:

To draw the lower U shaped symbol, we need to move the turtle to the position (-130, 0) and repeat the steps above only that instead of 80 pixels when we turn, we move by 260 pixels.

The code to do this is shown below:

turtle.penup()

turtle.setposition(-130, 0)

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(270)

turtle.forward(80)

turtle.left(90)

turtle.forward(260)

turtle.left(90)

turtle.forward(80)

The generated image is shown below:

To draw the low U shaped symbol, we need to move the turtle to the position (-80, 80) and repeat the steps above only that instead of 80 pixels when we turn, we move by 160 pixels.

The code to do this is shown below:

turtle.penup()

turtle.setposition(-80, 80)

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(270)

turtle.forward(80)

turtle.left(90)

turtle.forward(160)

turtle.left(90)

turtle.forward(80)

The generated image is shown below:

To draw the horizontal line, we move the turtle to the position (-40, 120). Place the pen down, set the orientation of the turtle to 0 degrees and move forward by 80 pixels.

The code to do this is shown below:

turtle.penup()

turtle.setposition(-40, 120)

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(0)

turtle.forward(80)

The generated image is shown below

Conclusion

At the end of this section, we have successfully drawn the Som Onyankopon symbol.

It looks like a catcus tree to me but also like a cathedral.

This post is part of the series: Drawing Adinkra Symbols using Python. The goal is to draw 40 Adinkra symbols using the Python programming language.

Sepow

Sepow means "Executioner's knife". It is the symbol of A symbol of justice.

We will use the 5 pixel grid to trace out this image. The image of this is shown below:

The plan to draw this shape is given below:

1. Lift up the pen
2. Set the pensize to 30 pixels
3. Move the pen to the location of the leftmost part of the triangle
4. Find the distance and the angle between the leftmost part and the topmost part
5. Draw the triangle
6. Draw the circle

Using Turtle Graphics

We will use the template.py file and rename it to sepow.py.

Steps 1 and 2  are simple, we only need to lift up the pen. The code to do this is shown below:

turtle.penup()

turtle.pensize(30)

The leftmost tip of the pen is at (-105, -20) to find the optimal position of the pen, we must add 15 pixels to it. This gives us: (-90, -5).

Compensating for the position of the pen, the coordinate of the topmost position is (0, 175).

The function to find the angle between the two points is given below:

def angleBetweenPoints(x1, y1, x2, y2):

    myradians = math.atan2(y2 - y1, x2 - x1)

    angle = math.degrees(myradians)

    return angle

The function to find the distance between the two point is given below:

def coordinateDistance(x1, y1, x2, y2):

    dx = x1 - x2

    dy = y1 - y2

    D = math.sqrt((dx * dx) + (dy * dy))

    return D

To use the above functions, we use the code shown below:

angle = angleBetweenPoints(-90, -5, 0, 175)

length = coordinateDistance(-90, -5, 0, 175)

To draw the triangle, we use the code shown below:

turtle.setposition(-90, -5)

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(angle)

turtle.forward(length)

turtle.setheading(360 - angle)

turtle.forward(length)

turtle.setheading(180)

length = coordinateDistance(-90, -5, 90, -5)

turtle.forward(length)

The generated image is shown below:

Drawing the circle is quite easy. We move the turtle to the position (85, -90) and draw a circle of radius 85 pixels.

The code to do this is shown below:

turtle.penup()

turtle.setposition(85, -90)

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(90)

turtle.circle(85)

The generated image is shown below:

Conclusion

At the end of this section, we have successfully drawn the Sepow symbol.

This post is part of the series: Drawing Adinkra Symbols using Python. The goal is to draw 40 Adinkra symbols using the Python programming language.

Kyemfere

Kyemfere means "Potsherd". It is the symbol of experience, knowledge, service, antiquity, time, heirloom and rarity.

We will use the 5 pixel grid to trace out this image. The image of this is shown below:

The plan to draw this shape is given below:

1. Divide the symbol into 4 equal parts
2. Get the coordinates of the centers of the 4 quadrants
3. Lift up the pen
4. Place the pen in center of the upper left quadrant
5. Move to the top left corner of the upper left quadrant
6. Place the pen down
7. Set the heading of the pen to 315 degrees
8. Draw a line from the top left corner to the bottom right corner
9. Set the heading of the pen to 180 degrees
10. Move forward to the length of the middle of the center of the quadrant
11. Set the heading of the pen to 90 degrees
12. Move forward to the end of the length of the symbol
13. Set the heading for the pen to 180 degrees
14. Move forward by half of the length of the symbol
15. Fill the shape
16. Lift up the pen
17. Place the pen in the right upper quadrant
18. Place the pen down
19. Set the heading of the pen of the pen to 225 degrees
20. Draw a line from the upper right quadrant to the lower left quadrant
21. Set the heading of the pen to 90 degrees
22. Move forward by half of the length of the side of the quadrant
23. Set the heading of the pen to 0 degrees
24. Move forward by the length of the quadrant
25. Set the heading of the pen to 90 degrees
26. Move forward by half of the length of the quadrant
27. Fill the shape
28. Repeat steps 3 - 27  for the remaining quadrants

Using Turtle Graphics

We will use the template.py file and rename it to kyemfere.py.

The first step of our plan is manual. We have to find the center of the symbols in all the quadrants.

The image is divided into 4 parts as shown below:

The coordinates of the centers of the quadrants starting from the upper right quadrant and moving clockwise are: (-95, 95), (95, 95), (95, -95) and (-95, -95).

Now we lift up the pen and move it to the position of the center of the first quadrant. The code to do this is shown below:

turtle.penup()

turtle.setposition(-95, 95)

The top left corner of the quadrant is at (-190, 190) we move the pen to that position and set the heading of the pen to 45 degrees. We then find the length from the top left corner to the center of the entire symbol. The code to do this is shown below:

turtle.setposition(-190, 190)

turtle.pendown()

Before we can draw a line from the upper left quadrant to the center of the symbol, we need to use the coordinateDistance function to find the distance between the two points. The code for the function is shown below:

def coordinateDistance(x1, y1, x2, y2):

    dx = x1 - x2

    dy = y1 - y2

    D = math.sqrt((dx * dx) + (dy * dy))

    return D

length = coordinateDistance(-190, 190, 0, 0)

To place the pen down you use the code shown below:

turtle.pendown()

We set the heading of the pen and we move from the top left corner of the quadrant to the center of the symbol. The code to do this is shown below:

turtle.setheading(315)

turtle.forward(length)

Now that the shape is done, we need to fill it. To fill the shape, we place the turtle.begin_fill() and turtle.end_fill() functions before and at the end of the drawing code.

The generated image is shown below:

The code for steps 16 to 27 is shown below:

turtle.begin_fill()

turtle.penup()

turtle.setposition(0, 190)

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(225)

turtle.forward(length)

turtle.setheading(90)

turtle.forward(95)

turtle.setheading(0)

turtle.forward(190)

turtle.setheading(90)

turtle.forward(95)

turtle.end_fill()

The generated image is shown below:

The rest is easy. We simply need to move the turtle to where we want it to be in order to draw the other parts of the symbol.

We will move to the upper right quadrant and draw the first half of the symbol in that quadrant. The code to do this is shown below:

turtle.begin_fill()

turtle.penup()

turtle.setposition(95, 95)

turtle.setposition(0, 190)

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(315)

turtle.forward(length)

turtle.setheading(180)

turtle.forward(95)

turtle.setheading(90)

turtle.forward(190)

turtle.setheading(180)

turtle.forward(95)

turtle.end_fill()

The generated image is shown below:

The code to complete the upper left quadrant is shown below:

turtle.penup()

turtle.begin_fill()

turtle.setposition(190, 190)

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(225)

turtle.forward(length)

turtle.setheading(90)

turtle.forward(95)

turtle.setheading(0)

turtle.forward(190)

turtle.setheading(90)

turtle.forward(95)

turtle.end_fill()

The generated image is shown below:

From this stage onwards, I will batch together the code that draws the remaining quadrants.

The code to draw the lower right part is shown below:

turtle.begin_fill()

turtle.penup()

turtle.setposition(0, 0)

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(315)

turtle.forward(length)

turtle.setheading(180)

turtle.forward(95)

turtle.setheading(90)

turtle.forward(190)

turtle.setheading(180)

turtle.forward(95)

turtle.end_fill()

turtle.penup()

turtle.begin_fill()

turtle.setposition(190, 0)

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(225)

turtle.forward(length)

turtle.setheading(90)

turtle.forward(95)

turtle.setheading(0)

turtle.forward(190)

turtle.setheading(90)

turtle.forward(95)

turtle.end_fill()

The generated image is shown below:

The code to draw the lower left symbol is shown below:

turtle.begin_fill()

turtle.penup()

turtle.setposition(-190, 0)

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(315)

turtle.forward(length)

turtle.setheading(180)

turtle.forward(95)

turtle.setheading(90)

turtle.forward(190)

turtle.setheading(180)

turtle.forward(95)

turtle.end_fill()

turtle.penup()

turtle.begin_fill()

turtle.setposition(0, 0)

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(225)

turtle.forward(length)

turtle.setheading(90)

turtle.forward(95)

turtle.setheading(0)

turtle.forward(190)

turtle.setheading(90)

turtle.forward(95)

turtle.end_fill()

The generated symbol is shown below:

Conclusion

In this section we cover how to draw the Kyemfere symbol using the Python programming language.

This post is part of the series: Drawing Adinkra Symbols using Python. The goal is to draw 40 Adinkra symbols using the Python programming language.

Owia A Repue

Owia A Repue means "Rising Sun". It is the symbol of progress, renewal, development, warmth, vitality, and energy.

We will use the 5 pixel grid to trace out this image. The image of this is shown below:

The plan to draw this shape is given below:

1. Lift up the mouse
2. Place the turtle at the left tip of the symbol
3. Find the angle and length between the position of the turtle and the next point.
4. Draw a line from the left tip to the next point
5. Move the turtle to the next point
6. Continue steps 3 to 5 until you get to the middle point of the shape
7. Draw the rest of the shape
8. Fill up the shape

Using Turtle Graphics

We will use the template.py file and rename it to owia.py.

In all the entire shape is made up of 10 lines on the side before the centre line. We shall name the angles and lengths from 1 to 10.

Starting from the left hand side, we have 11 points of interest. Their coordinates are given below:

1. (-180, -145)
2. (-150, -125)
3. (-200, -75)
4. (-150, -75)
5. (-190, -10)
6. (-130, -20)
7. (-165, 55)
8. (-80, 10)
9. (-90, 100)
10. (-30, 50)
11. (0, 160)

I think its high time to create a function to find the angle between two points. I will call this function angleBetweenPoints.

The code for this function is shown below:

def angleBetweenPoints(x1, y1, x2, y2):

    myradians = math.atan2(y2 - y1, x2 - x1)

    angle = math.degrees(myradians)

    return angle

Now that we have created our function, we have all we need to complete the drawing of this symbol.

To get the length, we reuse the code for the coordinateDistance function which is shown below:

def coordinateDistance(x1, y1, x2, y2):

    dx = x1 - x2

    dy = y1 - y2

    D = math.sqrt((dx * dx) + (dy * dy))

    return D

The first step in the algorithm is to lift up the turtle. The code to do this is shown below:

turtle.penup()

Next we move the turtle to the first position on our list which is (-180, -145). The code to do this is shown below:

turtle.setposition(-180, -145)

We find the angle and the length between the first and second position using the code shown below:

angle1 = angleBetweenPoints(-180, -145, -150, -125)

length1 = coordinateDistance(-180, -145, -150, -125)

We do this for the rest of the angles and lengths of the symbol. The code for this is shown below:

angle2 = angleBetweenPoints(-150, -125, -200, -75)

length2 = coordinateDistance(-150, -125, -200, -75)

angle3 = angleBetweenPoints(-200, -75, -150, -75)

length3 = coordinateDistance(-200, -75, -150, -75)

angle4 = angleBetweenPoints(-150, -75, -190, -10)

length4 = coordinateDistance(-150, -75, -190, -10)

angle5 = angleBetweenPoints(-190, -10, -130, -20)

length5 = coordinateDistance(-190, -10, -130, -20)

angle6 = angleBetweenPoints(-130, -20, -165, 55)

length6 = coordinateDistance(-130, -20, -165, 55)

angle7 = angleBetweenPoints(-165, 55, -80, 10)

length7 = coordinateDistance(-165, 55, -80, 10)

angle8 = angleBetweenPoints(-80, 10, -90, 100)

length8 = coordinateDistance(-80, 10, -90, 100)

angle9 = angleBetweenPoints(-90, 100, -30, 50)

length9 = coordinateDistance(-90, 100, -30, 50)

angle10 = angleBetweenPoints(-30, 50, 0, 160)

length10 = coordinateDistance(-30, 50, 0, 160)

Now that we have all the angles we need, we can start drawing the symbol. The code to do this is shown below:

turtle.pendown()

turtle.begin_fill()

turtle.setheading(angle1)

turtle.forward(length1)

turtle.setheading(angle2)

turtle.forward(length2)

turtle.setheading(angle3)

turtle.forward(length3)

turtle.setheading(angle4)

turtle.forward(length4)

turtle.setheading(angle5)

turtle.forward(length5)

turtle.setheading(angle6)

turtle.forward(length6)

turtle.setheading(angle7)

turtle.forward(length7)

turtle.setheading(angle8)

turtle.forward(length8)

turtle.setheading(angle9)

turtle.forward(length9)

turtle.setheading(angle10)

turtle.forward(length10)

turtle.setheading(360 - angle10)

turtle.forward(length10)

turtle.setheading(360 - angle9)

turtle.forward(length9)

turtle.setheading(360 - angle8)

turtle.forward(length8)

turtle.setheading(360 - angle7)

turtle.forward(length7)

turtle.setheading(360 - angle6)

turtle.forward(length6)

turtle.setheading(360 - angle5)

turtle.forward(length5)

turtle.setheading(360 - angle4)

turtle.forward(length4)

turtle.setheading(360 - angle3)

turtle.forward(length3)

turtle.setheading(360 - angle2)

turtle.forward(length2)

turtle.setheading(360 - angle1)

turtle.forward(length1)

turtle.end_fill()

The generated image is shown below:

Conclusion

At the end of this section, we have successfully drawn the Owia A Repue symbol. It is the last hard symbol to draw. From this point on, the rest is easy. 3 more to go.

This post is part of the series: Drawing Adinkra Symbols using Python. The goal is to draw 40 Adinkra symbols using the Python programming language.

Obohemmaa

Obohemmaa means "diamond". It is the symbol for precious items.

We will use the 5 pixel grid to trace out this image. The image of this is shown below:

The plan to draw this shape is given below:

1. Lift up the pen
2. Find the angle and length between the leftmost position and the top of the symbol
3. Draw the entire shape and fill it

Using Turtle Graphics

We will use the template.py file and rename it to obohemmaa.py.

The code to lift up the pen is shown below:

turtle.penup()

The coordinate of the leftmost part of the symbol is (-100, 0). The coordinate for the topmost part of the symbol is (0, 200).

The code to find the angle is shown below:

myradians = math.atan2(200 - 0), 0 - (-100))

angle = math.degrees(myradians)

To find the distance between the two points we use the coordinateDistance function. The code for it is shown below:

def coordinateDistance(x1, y1, x2, y2):

    dx = x1 - x2

    dy = y1 - y2

    D = math.sqrt((dx * dx) + (dy * dy))

    return D

We call the function using the code shown below:

length = coordinateDistance(-100, 0, 0, 200)

The rest is easy. The code to draw the entire shape is shown below:

turtle.penup()

turtle.setposition(-100, 0)

turtle.begin_fill()

turtle.pendown()

turtle.setheading(angle)

turtle.forward(length)

turtle.setheading(360 - angle)

turtle.forward(length)

turtle.setheading(180 + angle)

turtle.forward(length)

turtle.setheading(180 - angle)

turtle.forward(length)

turtle.end_fill()

The generated image is shown below:

Conclusion

At the end of this section, we have succeeded in drawing the Obohemmaa symbol.

This post is part of the series: Drawing Adinkra Symbols using Python. The goal is to draw 40 Adinkra symbols using the Python programming language.