Re-Examining the Akan Gold Weight and its Possible Reuse

Abstract

Generally, Gold weights(called mrammou in the Akan language) are weights made of brass and used as a measuring system by the people of Akan in West Africa. This was used for weighing gold dust which was the currency until that was replaced by paper money and coins. These gold weights look like miniature models of everyday objects. In the Akan society, gold weights have played a significant part so far as the tradition and culture and the economy are concerned. The gold weights have several cultural and symbolic undertones that require a study and an understanding by modern society. Hence the study was conducted to revealed philosophical, cultural, and an outstanding value attached to the gold weights. This was attained by using qualitative research design and research instruments such as purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Interview and observation were the two main data collection tools used. However, the long hours of inquiry with key respondents in the naturalistic fieldwork which was peculiar of phenomenological study such as this aided the researcher in gaining indepth information and understanding of what gold weights represent and its significance in the tradition and customs of the people of Akan.