The large and influential ASHANTI Empire, now modern-day Ghana, was much like Venice in its day: existing at the crossroads of international trade, thus giving them extraordinary wealth and power. The stamped forms of our ASHANTI pattern are not only decorative but are also symbols of traditional wisdom and the environment of the Ashanti people. Known as Adinkra, these designs were traditionally worn only by royalty and spiritual leaders. Symbols in ASHANTI represent acoma, the heart; kete pa, a good bed; ese ne tekrema, the teeth and the tongue; and mmusuyidee, a symbol to remove ill luck.