Linguist (Okyeame) Staff

Southern and central Ghana and the Côte d’Ivoire have been ruled for several centuries by highly stratified kingdoms that use elaborate symbols of status. Among the Fante and the Akan, high-ranking advisers to the king called linguists (okyeame) carry gold staffs in royal processions. These staffs often have carvings at the top illustrating proverbs or messages from the king to his subjects. At the top of this staff, a mouse attempts to enter a pouch on a cat’s back, illustrating the proverb “It is only a foolish mouse that tries to get into the cat’s bag.” In other words, it is an unwise person who dares to meddle in the king’s business.