Ashanti Linguist's Staff Depicting Two Figures and Coffin

Two mourners, a coffin, and a proverb you are meant to work out yourself.

The finial of an Ashanti spokesman’s staff often illustrates a proverb. This 20th-century linguist’s staff, from Ghana, carries two standing figures in silver paint flanking a lidded coffin with notched edges, left in natural wood.

One mourner raises a hand to his head. The other wears a textured coiffure. The paint is worn to bare wood in places. The staff stands over five and a half feet tall.

The okyeame speaks. This one remains discreet.