Wall Hanging
- Description
- Wall hanging belonging to Japhet Joseph Aryee. The wall hanging is composed of seven fabric-covered squares, each bearing a unique wooden symbol called an adinkra.
- Historical Notes
- Born in Ghana, Japhet Aryee lived in Spring Valley, New York, with his wife, Maria, and their four children. When he came to the United States, Japhet, a skilled carpenter, drove a taxi while earning a master’s degree in business. At the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, he supervised corporate tax audits. On September 11, Japhet was at work on the 86th floor of the South Tower. He was 49 years old.
Curator's Comment
Japhet Aryee came to the United States from Ghana in the 1970s and later settled in Rockland County, New York with his family. Displayed in their living room, this wall hanging showcases part of Japhet’s heritage from Ghana: adinkra symbols carved from wood. Each symbol represents an important concept in the Akan culture of West Africa. Japhet’s wife, Maria, described the symbols on this hanging as referring to a relationship with God, animals, and the natural world. She said that keeping the hanging close reminded Japhet of home.
- Accession Number: C.2012.214.10
- Dimensions: unavailable
- Source: Maria Aryee
- Credit Line: Gift of Aryee family in memory of our loved one, Japhet Aryee
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