Sunday 24 November 2013

Akan Cultural Symbols: TUMI TE SE KOSUA - POWER IS LIKE AN EGG




TUMI TE SE KOSUA - POWER IS LIKE AN EGG
Symbol of the DELICACY OF POLITICAL POWER, FRAGILITY OF DEMOCRACY, and RESTRAINT From the aphorism: Tumi te se kosua, woso mu den a, epae; na se woanso mu yie nso a, efiri wo nsa bo famu ma epae. Literal translation: Power is as fragile as an egg, when held too tightly it might break; if it is held too loosely, it might fall and break. The symbol points out the fragile nature of political power. As a symbol of democracy, it suggests the virtue of sharing political power. Power held in one hand is not safe. Power wielded by a chief is not absolute, nor is it expected to lead to tyranny. A chief is expected to exercise the power he wields cautiously and judiciously, or else he incurs the wrath of his subjects.

Credit:
http://www.cfiks.org/akanart/akanart/themes/akanpoli.htm
 

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