Asantehene Otomfuo Nana Opoku Ware II, Kumasi, Ghana

The photograph depicts Asantehene Otomfuo Nana Opoku Ware II, on the occasion of the state visit of the Ya Na, paramount chief of Dagomba, Northern Region, Ghana. "Paramount chiefs maintain a group of sword-bearers, each of whom carries one of the state swords on public occasions. But while swords are thus essential items of regalia, their use is symbolic. Many sword ornaments were cast earlier in this century to enhance the prestige of the chief. Popular ones were the highly valued red cockle shells, also the skulls of wild animals. In Ghana, the pendant gold heads were usually attached to state swords, where they represent the head of enemies killed in battle." [Timothy F. Garrard, 1989: Gold of Africa, Prestel]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Westinghouse Film and traveled to Africa from October 26, 1970 to end of March 1971.