Nyame


Nyame is the God of the Akan people of Ghana. His name means "he who knows and sees everything" and "omniscient, omnipotent sky god" in the Akan language.

Function

The symbol "Gye Nyame" means "there is nothing but creation or God". The Akan people usurped the Adinkra symbols when their chieftain imprisoned Nana Adinkra, chief of Gyaman and his entourage. The Akan chief had his scribes copy the Adinkra symbols and then appropriated them into their culture, changing the meaning to fit what today means "there is nothing except God" in the Twi language of the Akan. However, the Adinkra people who originated the symbol knew nothing of Christianity and invented the symbol independent from its use and meaning in today's Akan culture. The Gyaman people are also Akan.

Family

Nyame is the husband of Asase Ya. It means God created the earth and its fertile productive elements.

Nyame and Ananse

A giant python once terrorised the Ashanti people, who then prayed to Nyame. Nyame was tired of a human named Kwaku Ananse, the "Spider Man", boasting about his so-called wit and intelligence, and as a punishment, assigned him with the task of dealing with the python.
Ananse tricked the python into eating a heavy meal and consuming strong wine. When the snake fell unconscious, Ananse summoned the villagers to beat the creature and drive it away. Nyame was pleased with Kwaku’s wit and blessed him with tremendous wisdom and life.