Child's funeral costume (top)
Object
Costume
Production date
2009-2013
Object number
2016.72
Physical Description
A girl's black and white funeral costume, top and skirt.
From the object entry form:
The symbol featured on the costume is called the 'Dwennimmen.' The word literally means 'rams' horns' and they represent humility and strength. The ram is renowned for its incredible strength when it engages in a fight against its adversary. However, it also humbly submits itself for slaughter. The symbol also signifies modesty and toughness in the character and nature of people.
From the object entry form:
The symbol featured on the costume is called the 'Dwennimmen.' The word literally means 'rams' horns' and they represent humility and strength. The ram is renowned for its incredible strength when it engages in a fight against its adversary. However, it also humbly submits itself for slaughter. The symbol also signifies modesty and toughness in the character and nature of people.
Personal experiences
"It is a Ghanaian tradition that people predominantly wear black and white at funerals.
There is also a service where the adults wear red and black whilst the children still wear black and white. I wore this skirt and top to a funeral in Ghana when I was 7 or 8 years old. We were visiting family and then had to go shopping to buy some fabric and my mum had this outfit made for me.
I have found out that the symbol on it is called dwennimmen or rams’ horns. They symbolise humility and strength. The ram is noted for its incredible strength when it engages itself in a fight against its opponent. However it still submits itself humbly for slaughter. I think this symbol is worn at funerals as a mark of respect."
There is also a service where the adults wear red and black whilst the children still wear black and white. I wore this skirt and top to a funeral in Ghana when I was 7 or 8 years old. We were visiting family and then had to go shopping to buy some fabric and my mum had this outfit made for me.
I have found out that the symbol on it is called dwennimmen or rams’ horns. They symbolise humility and strength. The ram is noted for its incredible strength when it engages itself in a fight against its opponent. However it still submits itself humbly for slaughter. I think this symbol is worn at funerals as a mark of respect."
Material
Cotton
Dimension
Length (Clothing): 445mm
Width (Clothing): 400mm
Width (Clothing): 400mm
Exhibition Label
Outfit Worn to a Funeral, 2010s
This outfit was made for and worn by Nana Ama Ewusi-Emmim when she attended her grandmother’s funeral in
Ghana. The symbol featured on the costume is called the ‘Dwennimmen.’ The word literally means ‘rams’ horns’ and they represent humility and strength. Like many young people in Hackney today, she had strong ties with her family in Ghana and attending family occasions and events was very important to her and her family.
Being African in Hackney: 1960s-2020s
14 September 2021 to 14 February 2022
This outfit was made for and worn by Nana Ama Ewusi-Emmim when she attended her grandmother’s funeral in
Ghana. The symbol featured on the costume is called the ‘Dwennimmen.’ The word literally means ‘rams’ horns’ and they represent humility and strength. Like many young people in Hackney today, she had strong ties with her family in Ghana and attending family occasions and events was very important to her and her family.
Being African in Hackney: 1960s-2020s
14 September 2021 to 14 February 2022
On display?
No