CIBS Mission
The Coalition for the Improvement of Bedford-Stuyvesant is a membership association dedicated to working towards greater cooperation of local organizations and other committed to positively impacting the Bedford-Stuyvesant community. Our primary goals focus on maintaining and enhancing an equitable, healthy and sustainable community that produces economic and social betterment for the indigenous people of our community.
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“Help me and let me help you”
An Adinkra symbol of cooperation and interdependence
African symbols known as Adinkra are ubiqui¬tous in Ghana, a West African nation situated between Cote d’Ivoire and Togo. Historically, Adinkra symbols were developed by the Ashan¬te people of West Africa and can be traced back to the 17th century. The word “Adinkra” means “goodbye” for originally clothes adorned with Adinkra symbols were worn only during cer¬emonies to honor the dead. The symbols worn on the mourner’s clothing expressed the quali¬ties attributed to the deceased. The Ashante people living in the modern Afri¬can countries of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire still stamp Adinkra symbols on cloth. The symbols are created by cutting a stamp out of the thick skin of a calabash gourd, the stamp is dipped into dye created from tree bark and then re¬peatedly pressed onto cloth to create patterns. Each of the stylized patterns has a name and meaning based upon a proverb or historical legend. The shapes of humans, animals, plants and other objects inspire the creation of geo¬metric forms from the symbols, providing a re¬markable display of the values of the Ashante people which has been developed over many, many generations. And, the tradition continues to flourish in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire today. In fact, Adinkra cloth is widely worn at many so¬cial functions in Ghana and the Ivory Coast and elsewhere for everyday wear, bridal, formal as well as other special occasions. * Source: “Cloth as Metaphor” by G. F. Kojo Arthur
CIBS LOGO
“Help me and let me help you”
An Adinkra symbol of cooperation and interdependence
African symbols known as Adinkra are ubiqui¬tous in Ghana, a West African nation situated between Cote d’Ivoire and Togo. Historically, Adinkra symbols were developed by the Ashan¬te people of West Africa and can be traced back to the 17th century. The word “Adinkra” means “goodbye” for originally clothes adorned with Adinkra symbols were worn only during cer¬emonies to honor the dead. The symbols worn on the mourner’s clothing expressed the quali¬ties attributed to the deceased. The Ashante people living in the modern Afri¬can countries of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire still stamp Adinkra symbols on cloth. The symbols are created by cutting a stamp out of the thick skin of a calabash gourd, the stamp is dipped into dye created from tree bark and then re¬peatedly pressed onto cloth to create patterns. Each of the stylized patterns has a name and meaning based upon a proverb or historical legend. The shapes of humans, animals, plants and other objects inspire the creation of geo¬metric forms from the symbols, providing a re¬markable display of the values of the Ashante people which has been developed over many, many generations. And, the tradition continues to flourish in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire today. In fact, Adinkra cloth is widely worn at many so¬cial functions in Ghana and the Ivory Coast and elsewhere for everyday wear, bridal, formal as well as other special occasions. * Source: “Cloth as Metaphor” by G. F. Kojo Arthur
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