The Philosophical And Aesthetic Significance Of The Silver-Stool Of Mampong-Asante In Ghana

Abstract

The Silver-Stool of Mampong-Asante is the most important regalia in the chief's Palace. The stool appears in public during formal occasions like Adae (festival) or installation of a new chief. A descriptive qualitative study was employed of which interviews and observations were used to investigate and gather data on the philosophical and aesthetic significance of the Silver-Stool of the people of Mampong, Asante. To ensure the credibility of data, the researchers purposively selected six (6) chiefs from Mampong-Asante in Ghana and two (2) elders from Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ghana and were interviewed one on one to solicit cogent information. Again, the Silver-Stool was also aesthetically observed and photographs taken to the palace. The Silver-Stool according to the findings is believed to be of an ancestral origin. The paramount chief of Mampong-Asante is the first born in the state, the leader and an occupant of the state Silver-Stool. The Silver-Stool has symbols based on proverbs which reflect on historical, political, social, religious and aesthetic values. These values inherent in the Silver-Stool can be integrated into the curriculum of formal education such as metal design to promote critical thinking, cultural understanding and appreciation thereby fostering cohesion and national integration.