Dressing up the feet is not just to cover it but it speaks a lot about your personality, mood, sometimes your financial status and most importantly, your culture.
In Ghana, it is quite easy to identify people’s roots from the way they dress to traditional functions such as weddings, engagement, naming ceremony among others.
“Ahenema” is the local name for the royal traditional footwear for most Ghanaian chiefs and Queen mothers; this sandal still stands out because Ghanaians respect its value and purpose.
The icing of every dress up is dependent on your feet? Oh yes !!!!, You can virtually wear any simple attire but your look being casual or occasional/formal is your heel, sandals or slippers you wear.
Whenever you see a person who has flattered his or her feet with “ahenema”, it tells you that such a person is from the Akan, Ewe or Ga roots.
Nevertheless, back to traditional occasions, one traditional foot wear that has existed for centuries and still stands strong is the native slipper, popularly known as ‘AHENEMA’ or ‘KYAWKYAW’.
A visit to Kumasi where these sandals are made and the information gathered are very interesting in order to satisfy my curiosity about Ahenema.
Ahenema , has remained in existence over hundreds of years. It was a royal foot wear that was won by the Ashanti and Akan Kings ONLY.
Those times, it was made of wood and rope. Nobody dared to wear some except the King. Later, the immediate elders of the palace and royals could also wear them. As stages progresses and modernity set in, the material used changed from wood into special leather from Italy.
The name “KYAWKYAW” was given because of the sound it makes as one walks in it; “chauchauchau”
Making of Ahenema
It starts with cutting the leather into shapes and sizes followed by polishing or painting into any colour of your choice usually brown, then threading where a machine stitches a thread through the edges of the already shaped leather.
Then finally attaching the design on top of the leather. It doesn’t really take too much time in making them especially if you have your materials ready. These steps are done by different people so everyone contributes to put royalty on your foot. It takes about 30 minutes at least for an ahenema to be made. The designs are what distinguish one from the other. Most of these designs have very interesting names that inspires or flaws you up yet sends messages.
Mpaboahene (Shoe king)
Mpaboahene (Shoe King) is the person consigns to design and solely work on The Asantehene’s Ahenema. Every Ahenema wore by the Asantehene is specially made by an “mpaboahene” (shoe king) and his designs are made of gold. These are won by him alone. The elders of his palace are always in ahenema because tradition must go on.
Some Names of Ahenema
The ahenema comes in varieties with interesting names connoting specific messages. Among such names are;
Sikafutuo / (gold dust) – This means financially comfortable or simply rich
OBAMA – This is named after President Barak Obama because that was the design made for his ahenema when he visited Ghana.
Gye Nyame – Except God
S3 me k3 t3 pa – Lay me a good bed. You might want to wear this when visiting your partner
Adepa na nwii w) so – It is good stuffs that have hairs on them.
Ahenema was only won with cloths but now, it can be won with shorts. Both men and women can wear them so as kids. It can be won to funerals, churches, weddings, state functions etc. You should also grace your foot some royalty when going to event and functions.
You might be attracted by a name or colour of a “kyawkyaw” and I can assure you will love it. When you purchase one, you get value for your money because it can last for over a decade. It is not water proof so when dirty, just get a rag, dust it and you’ll be good to go with it again.
Benefits of Ahenema
Benefit of ahenema is that one can pair it with African print shorts, trousers, straight dress, “kaba and slit”, kente and the mens’ cloth wrapped around their waist to the neck.
Despite the rich culture display of “ahenema”, it is uncommon to see young ladies and gentlemen pampering their feet in the royal sandals.
Do away with the long heels, ballerina shoes, the chukkas, loafers, among others and opt to make your feet look gorgeous with the local handmade “ahenema” by pairing it with a bead to show the royalty in you.
Have you notice how people walk in them? Majestically, just like a royal. I am getting myself pampered with ROYALTY on MY FOOT now. What about you, get yours and feel the royal spirit.
By Sheila A. Williams
