Flag | Frankaa
Appliquéd Battalion Flag Asafo: "You say you are a man, but I weighed your burden and you are weak", 1930 - 1985
About the object
"You say you are a man, but I have weighed your burden and you are weak." In the context of the Asafo warrior groups, weighing scales are primarily a symbol for the comparison between two parties, a metaphor for measuring power and for evaluating strength. In the case of this motif, the rival company is dismissed as weak and easily defeated. Author: Doris Kubisch
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The flag is has been made using the appliqué technique and has also partly been embroidered. It depicts two stylised human figures in black against a salmon-coloured background. The Union Jack indicates that it was made during British colonial rule (1872-1957). The flags, adopted from a European military tradition, were used to distinguish Asafo (i.e. soldier) companies in combat. Today, these companies are engaged in social and political activities, but staunch rivalry still obtains. Asafo flags are used in spectacular parades and dances. In a narrative style, they depict life lessons or proverbs that often glorify an individual's own troop and belittle their adversaries - in this case illustrated by the weighing scales: "You say you are a man, but I have weighed your burden and you are weak." Author: Eva Gerhards
