Some of our Projects
THE ASANTE ROYAL UMBRELLA
THE ASANTE ROYAL UMBRELLA DOCUMENTARY
“The Royal Umbrella” is a comprehensive documentary film, that features the Asante royal umbrella. This regalia is a mark of royalty, that has far reaching cultural connotations and implications. The history of Asante is unravelled through the multiple facets of this film. With different aspects of the royal umbrella being presented concurrently, it is important to observe this spectacle with an open mind, in order to grasp the varied stories being told.
Experience the vivid culture of Asante through this documentary!
The Asante Royal Umbrella Publication
Royal Umbrellas are crucial symbols of royalty in Ghana. Their sheer size and shape, combined with colours, symbolism and usage, create a dynamic force that draws people together. They portray the unwritten history of the Asante people.
“The Asante Royal Umbrella” is a complementary pictorial publication to the video documentary “The Royal Umbrella”. The strong imagery used here introduces the reader to the role played by the royal umbrella in the different areas of Asante culture, namely; chieftaincy, music, dance, women, mortality and spirituality among many others. The royal umbrella is an art form and a craft, defining cultural identity. It also depicts the history of Asante.
Lawer Akunor has followed the theme of the Royal Umbrella for over a decade and has meticulously captured the fleeting historical moments of this regalia. This pictorial publication stimulates readers to ask probing questions and draw out the deeper meanings behind this revered regalia.
How to order
As Self-Publishers, we operate on a Print-On-Demand model. We do not carry stocks. Both hardcover and softcover are available.
Please contact us with the number copies you require.
Call +233 20 744 20 20 or send an E-Mail to info@infredconsult.info
CULTURAL INSIGHTS
Cultural Insights
A collection of short cultural documentary films
PRODUCED & DIRECTED BY LAWER AKUNOR
All the titles in our growing library of cultural films, are essential pieces in the preservation and promotion of Ghanaian culture. They are educative, informative and entertaining.
They are well suited for:
Cultural Gala Events, Diplomatic functions, Conferences, Seminars, Lectures, Tour Packages, Educational Institutions, among other uses.
Please contact us for more information and a screening appointment.
Call +233 20 744 20 20
or send an E-Mail to
info @infredconsult.info
Awisiadö
‘The breast of gold’
Funerals in Asante are important celebratory events regarded with all the seriousness they deserve. The presentation of burial items plays a key role. The Awisiadö is one such item presented to the bereaved spouse, (Awisia), who has lost a parent. This is a profound expression of love (ödö), to show support and care.
APAKAN
‘The seat of honour’
Travelling or commuting in the past for royalty was by the palanquin (Apakan) for men and the sedan chair (Seko) for women. With the modernization of transportation systems, this traditional transport method, though less used, is reserved only for significant traditional ceremonies and processions.
Dansuom
‘The floating calabash’
Several traditional musical instruments need to be remembered in modern times. Dansuom is one such instrument comprising a calabash played in a basin of water. Angled positions of the calabash produce unique sound tones. Dansuom was a form of entertainment for women and children of old. It promises to be very versatile in today’s musical arrangements.
Batakare in Asante
‘The Ghanaian smock - A perspective’
The smock known in Akan as the Batakare played a vital role in the many war victories of the Asante. It is likened to today’s bullet-proof vest. Batakare is stud with talismans and holds inexplicable spiritual powers for fortification and protection. Women of courage, such as Yaa Asantewaa, also wore the Batakare. The ultimate of this apparel, is the Batakarekese, only worn by the king of Asante.
Abén
‘The talking tooth’
The horn (Abén), a musical instrument is used to convey messages, recite poems and proverbs. It has a prominent role among the musical instruments of every prominent chief. Symbolically it is used as a finial on top of some royal umbrellas. These carry strong cultural messages with profound meanings. The Abén is categorized by size and occasion on which it is used.
Até
‘Sitting in comfort’
On the stool or seat of every royalty, is a soft square cushion called the Até, carried by an attendant during a procession. It forms an integral part of the royal regalia and is accorded all the protocols it deserves. The Até serves more than just its practical purpose of seating royalty comfortably. It has strong spiritual ties and functions that are not to be taken lightly.
KINGDOM OF GOLD
Asante: The Kingdom of Gold
A Cultural Documentary by Lawer Akunor
Asante: The Kingdom of Gold is a powerful cultural documentary, masterfully directed by filmmaker Lawer Akunor. This visual journey immerses viewers in the rich history, vibrant traditions, and timeless culture of the Ashanti people. Through the rhythmic beats of drums, the elegance of traditional dances, the call of horn-blowing, and the majestic display of gold regalia, the film brings the heart of the Ashanti Kingdom to life.
At the core of this cultural heritage is the Golden Stool, the kingdom’s most sacred symbol. Revered as the embodiment of the Ashanti soul, it is fiercely protected by the Asantehene (king), the Asantehemaa (queen mother), and the entire Asanteman (people of Ashanti). The stool is not just a throne—it’s a living testament to a rare and enduring cultural legacy that continues to resonate across the African continent.
A profound exploration of heritage and pride, this documentary captures the essence of a kingdom that remains a beacon of African tradition and unity.
Playlist
GONE TO THE VILLAGE
GONE TO THE VILLAGE
A Flagship Collaborative Video Documentary
Gone to the Village is one of our flagship collaborative video projects, a testament to the power of storytelling and cultural preservation. From over 200 hours of raw footage, we meticulously crafted a moving and impactful documentary that captures the grandeur and profound significance of the royal funeral of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.
This compelling film, which brings to life the cultural and emotional richness of the Ashanti royal funeral rites, was premiered on October 2, 2019, at the Michigan Theatre by the Department of Afro-American and African Studies (DAAS). It stands as a tribute to both the legacy of the Asantehemaa and the enduring traditions of the Ashanti people.