
The Porcupine Ring
The proverb says: Asante kotoko, Kum apem a apem baba "If you kill
a thousand (men), a thousand more will come." Another one says: Se
Kotoko renko a, hwe namizdee "If you think the porcupine is not about
to fight, then just look at how it is dressed." The porcupine is
always ready to defend itself. So if a king, sitting in state, wears this
ring, it means he is serious.
The porcupine (kotoko) is the emblem of the Asante nation. Now it is a very
powerful animal, in the sense that, if it is attacked, it will unleash its
quills to destroy the enemy, and then you are in for trouble. So we also add
this.... if you think the porcupine is joking, just look at how it is dressed,
it is always ready for action. So if a king wears this, it means "Nana"
is in a serious mood and will not take matters lightly.
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Koo Nimo sings about the porcupine ring and others |