Nkyinkyim Installation
A Monument in Motion — Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future
Nkyinkyim is a monumental, evolving art installation born from the vision of Ghanaian artist Kwame “KABE” Akoto-Bamfo. Still in progress, this powerful cultural project is rooted in storytelling, memory, and the visual representation of African ancestral journeys — both literal and symbolic.
Developed in collaboration with architect Delali Abla Dziedzoave, the installation is taking shape in Nuhale-Hwakpo, located in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region. The work stands as a living archive: a space where sculpture, architecture, and narrative converge to reflect the twisting, turning paths of Ghanaian and African history.
What Is Nkyinkyim?
The name “Nkyinkyim” comes from an Adinkra symbol and proverb meaning “twisting” or “turning.” It reflects the physical design of the installation — a winding, serpentine structure — and represents the journeys, struggles, migrations, and resilience of our ancestors.
The monument is envisioned as a wall-like form with relief carvings and freestanding sculptures, organized into thematic segments along a chronological timeline. These scenes will capture key moments across African history — from precolonial times through enslavement, resistance, liberation, and cultural rebirth.
When completed, the installation will feature over 11,111 sculpted figures, each a unique visual fragment of a much larger narrative. Together, they form a continuous story of identity, memory, and transformation.
Sustainable Architecture & Community Involvement
The site’s architecture is being designed by Iconica Ghana Ltd, led by architects Delali Dziedzoave and Afua Asantewaa Temeng. Their goal is to blend sustainability and tradition by building studios and visitor spaces with adobe, timber, and thatch — local materials that reflect the community’s environmental and cultural context.
Importantly, the construction process itself is community-centered: young people from Nuhale are actively involved, using indigenous skills to help shape the future of African architecture while contributing directly to the installation’s growth.
Cultural Impact & Local Economy
Nkyinkyim is more than a monument — it’s a movement. The first 1,000 sculpted cement heads were created in partnership with artists and apprentices from Accra and Nuhale, laying the foundation for cross-regional collaboration and economic opportunity.
By bringing large-scale artistic production into rural spaces, Ancestor Project is helping to drive job creation, skill development, and cultural tourism, ensuring that the legacy of this installation is as social as it is spiritual.
In Partnership With
The Nkyinkyim Installation is being developed with the support of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, reinforcing its role as a national symbol of remembrance and renewal.