Adinkra Lions
Adinkra Symbols
• Adinkra are visual symbols, originally created by the Akan people.
• The Akan are an ethnic group in Africa, native to Ghana and the Ivory Coast
Adinkra are used in fabrics, pottery, logos, advertising, and even t-shirts and jewelry.
Step 1• Use the large template
to race the template to create the outside edge of the lions mane
• Use the smaller template to trace the the lion’s face
Step 2• Add the lion’s eyes,
ears, nose, mouth, and whiskers to the drawing
• Divide the mane into at least four sections
Step 3• Use watercolor to
paint each section of the lions mane a different color
• Paint the eyes, nose, and whiskers as well
• You may also paint the face and ears
Step 4• After the paint has
dried, use a marker to create a pattern in each section of the mane.
• In at least two of the sections Adinkra symbols should be used as part of the pattern.
• Cut the lion out and glue it to a piece of black paper.