Nkyinkyim Installation
Nkyinkyim Installation
A Monument in Motion — Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future
The Nkyinkyim Installation is a monumental and evolving art project born from the vision of Ghanaian artist Kwame “KABE” Akoto-Bamfo. Still in progress, this powerful cultural and historical statement is rooted in storytelling, collective memory, and the visual representation of African ancestral journeys — both literal and symbolic.
Located in Nuhale-Hwakpo in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region, the nkyinkyim installation is being developed in collaboration with architect Delali Abla Dziedzoave. Together, they are creating a living archive where sculpture, architecture, and narrative merge to reflect the complexity and resilience of Ghanaian and African history.
This space is not just a work of art, but also functions as the foundation for the future nkyinkyim museum — a center that will preserve and exhibit the historical, cultural, and spiritual themes embodied in the installation.
What Is Nkyinkyim?
The word “Nkyinkyim” originates from an Adinkra symbol and proverb meaning “twisting” or “turning.” It reflects both the physical shape of the nkyinkyim installation — a serpentine, wall-like structure — and the spiritual symbolism of migration, struggle, and rebirth.
The project includes a series of relief carvings and freestanding sculptures arranged along a chronological timeline. These thematic segments highlight key moments in African history: precolonial civilizations, the transatlantic slave trade, resistance movements, liberation struggles, and contemporary cultural revival.
When completed, the nkyinkyim installation will feature over 11,111 sculpted figures. Each figure is a fragment of a broader narrative, woven into a continuous story of identity, dignity, and transformation — elements that will also anchor the interpretative journey within the future nkyinkyim museum.
Sustainable Architecture & Community Involvement
Designed by Iconica Ghana Ltd — under the leadership of Delali Dziedzoave and Afua Asantewaa Temeng — the nkyinkyim installation embraces sustainability and cultural authenticity. Studios and public spaces are being constructed from local materials like adobe, timber, and thatch, showcasing the beauty of traditional African architecture.
One of the core values of the nkyinkyim installation is its community-centered approach. Youth from the surrounding area of Nuhale are directly involved in building the structures, applying indigenous knowledge, and contributing to the design process. This not only enhances the authenticity of the project but ensures long-term engagement and ownership.
The upcoming nkyinkyim museum will also serve as a space for local education and heritage preservation, offering programs in traditional art, sculpture, and architectural practices.
Cultural Impact & Local Economy
More than a monument, the nkyinkyim installation is a platform for social change. The first 1,000 sculpted heads were created in partnership with artists and apprentices from both Accra and Nuhale, fostering regional collaboration, cultural exchange, and economic empowerment.
Through the efforts of the Ancestor Project, this initiative is transforming rural creative economies. By situating the nkyinkyim museum near the installation, visitors are invited to explore both the artistic process and the deeper spiritual significance behind the work.
This model not only nurtures artistic talent but encourages cultural tourism and skill development, ensuring the nkyinkyim installation becomes both a heritage landmark and a catalyst for social renewal.
In Partnership With
The nkyinkyim museum and its associated installation are being developed in partnership with the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board. This partnership affirms the project’s role as a national site of memory, healing, and pride.
Together, the nkyinkyim installation and nkyinkyim museum aim to create a permanent home for African stories — not as relics of the past, but as living forces shaping the present and future.