Ga Warrior (Asafoatse) African Mask
- Sizable statement piece measuring 19.75" H x 5.5" W x 3.1" D (50.2 x 14 x 7.9 cm) and weighing 1.8 lbs (0.82 kg).
- Hand-carved from native sese wood and adorned with colorful recycled glass seed beads, a hallmark of Ghanaian craft.
- Forehead beadwork renders the Adinkrahene, the chief of the adinkra symbols, signifying greatness, leadership, and authority.
- Named Asafoatse, a war captain within the Ga people's traditional Asafo system; each mask is individually hand-finished, so color and motif vary slightly.
- Designed as wall decor to anchor a gallery wall, entryway, or living space; dust gently with a dry, soft cloth.
Some pieces command a room the moment they go up. This hand-carved Ga warrior mask, named Asafoatse, carries the bearing of a war captain and the vivid artistry of Ghana's bead traditions.
Awudu Saaed shaped this original design from native sese wood, then dressed it in colorful recycled glass seed beads set in bold geometric bands. The name Asafoatse identifies a war captain among the Ga people of coastal southeast Ghana, whose historic towns gave rise to Accra. Within the community's traditional Asafo system, an asafoatse led warriors in defending the state and wielded both martial and civic authority, a role that earned deep respect.
On this mask's forehead are four sets of concentric circles designed in seed beads. This motif depicts the Adinkra symbol "Adinkrahene", the chief of the Adinkra symbols. In Akan tradition, its rings signify greatness, leadership, and authority, the very qualities a warrior leader is called to embody. It is a fitting crown for a face carved to represent nobility, and a quiet nod to the shared visual language that unites Ghana's peoples. Below the eyes, a second field of orange, blue, and yellow beadwork frames the face like ceremonial paint, each tiny bead placed by hand.
Standing nearly twenty inches tall, the mask makes a striking centerpiece for a gallery wall, entryway, reading nook, or office. Because every piece is carved and beaded by hand, slight variations in color, size, and pattern make yours one of a kind.
Awudu Saaed learned his craft as a boy in Ghana, drawn to a neighborhood workshop where carvers, designers, and finishers worked side by side. Financial hardship pulled him out of school, so he joined the workshop full-time alongside his younger brother, determined to keep their siblings in class. He honed his eye for design and finishing under a master carver before striking out on his own in 1996, traveling to fairs across West Africa to sell his work. Today he trains a new generation of designers and finishers, passing on the skills that once changed his own family's future.
Bring home a piece of Ghana with a story worth sharing. Add the Asafoatse Ga warrior mask to your collection today.
| Edition | Handmade |
| Edition Size | Each Mask is Hand Made by a local Master Ghanaian Artisan |
| Height | 19.75 inches |
| Length | 5.5 inches |
| Medium | Sese Wood |
| Signed | Unsigned |
| SKU | 226301 |
| Width | 3.1 inches |
Awudu Saaed
Anwudu Saaed is a friendly but quite person that started as fan of African carvings. He would congregate at his parent's workshop where carvers, designers and finishers worked. They noticed his interest and eventually Abdul Karim Star accepted him as an apprentice. Awudu was a fast learner and was determined to master this craft so that he could support his family. Eventually, he was permitted to sell some of the works he created as an apprentice in his master's workshop at various markets in Senegal, Mali, Ghana and Burkino Faso. He used the money he made to purchase his own tools and start his own workshop. He now has three apprentices of his own.Most in stock items ship in 0 to 5 business depending upon the shipping method selected during checkout. Large framed artwork requires an additional 1 to 5 days of processing time to allow for framing. All orders over $250 ship signature required. Pre-Orders, identified by a “Reserve Now” checkout button, can take 3 to 14 business days to process and ship. If there is an issue with your order we will notify you with 1 to 2 business days. For additional information please visit our: Shipping Policy
