The earliest goldweights were made of stone, copper, iron, or basalt. As the trans-Saharan trade routes became more established, the Akan learned the technique of brass casting from their North African trading partners, which allowed them to create figurative goldweights.

Proverb: Marriage is like groundnuts; you must crack them open to see what is inside. 

Meaning: You can't know what marriage is like until you've tried it. 

Proverb: Only a wise man can untie a wisdom knot. 

Meaning: A ruler must also be a problem solver. 

Proverb: Only a wise man can untie a wisdom knot. 

Meaning: A ruler must also be a problem solver. 

Proverb: If the ram is fond of butting, its courage comes from the heart, not from the horns.

Meaning: A man's nature is not changed by circumstances. 

Proverb: It it always too late to say "Had I known!" 

Meaning: There is no use in looking backwards; hindsight is futile.

Proverb: The crocodile lies in the water, but it also drinks the air.

Meaning: If you want to be strong and powerful, you must also be adaptable. 

The earliest goldweights were made of stone, copper, iron, or basalt. As the trans-Saharan trade routes became more established, the Akan learned the technique of brass casting from their North African trading partners, which allowed them to create figurative goldweights, such as this leopard-shaped weight.

The earliest goldweights were made of stone, copper, iron, or basalt.

The earliest goldweights were made of stone, copper, iron, or basalt.