The Ritual of Transaction
The trade of gold dust was a daily practice, both in markets and between individuals. Transactions were not merely a simple exchange but a true ritual that required attention and integrity.
Every merchant or head of the household owned a personal set, often kept in a box or a pouch. This set, typically called a futuo, contained everything needed: a balance scale (nsenia), a wide collection of geometric and figurative weights (abrammuo) of various sizes and grammages, a small spoon (nsawa) or decorated scoop for handling the gold dust, and a small container for the dust (abamphruwa).
When a buyer and seller agreed upon a price, the gold dust was weighed. The transaction was not based on blind trust in a single set of weights. On the contrary, a double-weighing process was used.
First Weighing: The seller took the weights corresponding to the agreed-upon value from their box and placed them on one arm of their scale. On the other arm, using the spoon, they poured gold dust until the two arms balanced.
Second Weighing (Verification): The buyer, to ensure a fair transaction, repeated the process using their own set of weights and their own scale. If the measurements matched, the agreement was considered honest, and the gold dust changed hands. If there was a discrepancy, a new negotiation phase was initiated to correct the error. The presence of figurative weights, such as those representing proverbs, transformed every exchange into a meaningful experience.
Beyond their practical function, the weights also carried moral and social meanings. A man who owned a complete and varied set of weights was seen as a well-to-do and respected person. This not only demonstrated his wealth but also his wisdom, as each figurative weight was a reminder of a proverb, a life lesson, or a code of conduct. This ensured that even a simple commercial transaction became an opportunity to exchange cultural messages and reaffirm shared values.
Gold weights were passed down from generation to generation, and a complete set was a precious gift for a young groom, ensuring he could enter the world of commerce with success and respect. Their possession was not just an economic matter but also a symbol of status, indicating an individual's position in Akan society.
A merchant who displayed weights with a positive meaning could strengthen his reputation as a wise and honest person, making his set of weights a symbol of his character.
Recommended Bibliography
1. Guido Donati 03 Set 2025 Akan gold weights: a journey into the realm of wisdom Scienceonline
2. Guido Donati 03 Set 2025 I pesi Akan: un viaggio nel regno della saggezza Scienzaonline
https://www.scienzaonline.com/scienza-generale/item/4936-i-pesi-akan-un-viaggio-nel-regno-della-saggezza.html
3. Tom Phillips, African Goldweights: Miniature Art and Proverbial Wisdom.
4. Timothy F. Garrard, Akan Weights and the Gold Trade.
5. George S. Cansdale, Gold Weights of the Akan.
6. K. B. G. Attah, Akan Goldweights and Their Meaning.
*Board Member, SRSN (Roman Society of Natural Science)
Past Editor-in-Chief, Italian Journal of Dermosurgery
