Proverb:
“Yεtoatoa mu sε nkɔnsɔnkɔnsɔn; nkwa mu at, yεtoa mu, owuo mu a, yεtoa mu; abusua mu nnte da.”
Literal translation:
“We are linked together like a chain; we are linked in life; we are linked in death, men who share a common blood relationship never break away from one another.”
Meaning:
Nkɔsɔnkɔnsɔn refers to a chain, and it signifies the strong bond between people of common lineage which is difficult to break.
The unity of a community can be realized if citizens see themselves as responsible to each other. This realization binds communities together. The symbol portrays unity, responsibility, and interdependence.
Background:
The strength of a chain is dependant on the individual metal rings linked together. When one unit becomes weak, it causes a break in the chain. This signifies the belief that the ancestors are interested in, and are constantly protecting the well-being of the living.
Moral Value:
The symbol encourages the veneration of the ancestors in order to keep them in touch with the living. It stresses the strength in unity, and the interdependence on one another. This is a symbol of unity and human relations.
