Abstract
Art has over the years, remained an integral part of
African society, deeply connected to people’s beliefs,
ways of life, religion, socio-cultural values, economic
systems, and political structures. African societies are
bonded with their art, which serves as a medium of
expression, worship, and cultural identity. However, the
arrival of Europeans—particularly along the coastal
regions of southern Ghana—exerted a significant
influence on African artistic traditions. This study
examines the Asafo flags of the Fante people before and
after European contact, evaluating their content,
symbolism, and artistic features. The research adopts
descriptive and qualitative methods, drawing mainly from
secondary sources. Findings reveal that Asafo companies
served as local militias safeguarding coastal communities,
with flags used as identifiers for different companies. The
paper concludes by recommending that African societies
critically reflect on and reclaim aspects of their cultural
identity that were altered by European influence.
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