Adinkra Symbol Funtummireku Denkyemmirek

This is a symbol of two crocodiles who are sharing one stomach. Each depends on the other and represents diversity, democracy or the oneness of the human family despite cultural differences and diversities. Do you know a teacher or mentor who is trying to tell a historical story, well the Akan heritage of the people of Ghana is a great start. Unity in diversity are the words of the day.
Symbols leave great messages for friends and loved ones. At www.giftsfromdeezhands.com we have a variety of products that have Adinkra symbols on them. 

Adinkra Symbol Sankofa

The Sankofa(sang-ko-fah) symbol has a variety of looks, this is two. Looks like a bird with its head facing backwards or a decorative heart.
It's representation means to go back and bring forth.
It teaches the wisdom of learning from what happened in the past and how to use that information to strengthen your present and future. Before attempting to do a difficult task one must collect information that has already been collected to help guide them through the quagmire of the maze we call life.
Visit www.giftsfromdeezhands.com to see beautiful gifts using Adinkra symbols.

More Info on Adinkra

Adinkra Symbol Duafe

Duafe, the wooden comb, is a symbol that represents female qualities including, love, patience, fondness, prudence and care. 
This was a prized article in possession by the Akan women. It was used to take care of her hair and kept her looking fly.  Her beautiful hair style showed off her womanhood and was a sign of how feminine she was.
Great for natural hair, Madam C. J. Walker bought those teeth closer together and heated up the comb creating a whole new style of hair show.Visit www.giftsfromdeezhands.com to see great gifts with Adinkra symbols.

Gye Nyame

GYE NYAME means accept GOD there is none greater. This Adinkra symbol is widely seen today. It is on jewelry, printed into clothing, especially African print fabric, cut into hair styles, and now more often as tatoos. Visit www.giftsfromdeezhands.com to see a variety of wonderful gifts using Adinkra symbols.

Juneteenth Commeoration

June 19, 1865 is a memorable day in African[American] Heritage. Having enslaved millions of people during the Maafa(great calamity, terrorism, tragedy, etc. -  from  the African Kiswahili Language) the slaves of Texas were notified on this date which was two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, that they were now free. This commemoration is recognized in over 42 states. Here at Gifts From Deez Hands we would like you to participate in this great day on Saturday, June 7, from 11-6pm

Adinkra Symbol Gye Nyame

Adinkra Tatoos

GYE Nyame(Jeh N-yah-mee) symbolizes the omnipotence, omnipresence and immortality of GOD. This symbol is revered as one of the highest Akan spiritual symbols. Has several interpretations, "Except GOD", meaning one recognizes GOD's supremacy. One is only afraid of the Supreme being. 
At www. giftsfromdeezhands.com we use a variety of Adinkra symbols in each product we produce.

Blackbelts Training Teachers

Martial Arts is very demanding on your mind and body. Training can be very long and grueling. Constant punching, kicking, throwing, yelling and endurance go with the territory. Receiving a Blackbelt can take six or more years of training to attain depending on the school. Hundreds of push ups, jumping and preparation daily develops students in preparation for negative surprise encounters. Confidence is first built in the dojo(school) through practice, practice, practice. Great schools give outstanding mental preparation so that fighting becomes less likely than one may think. Training the mind becomes much more important as one moves up in rank. Mistakes can be costly in a dojo but it is among comrades so "sweet pain" becomes the silent acceptance.
The big question is can someone be given enough training in two hours to ward offer an unsavory attacker or scary attempts at threats to ones  life and others. Sam Rosenberg a Blackbelt instructor from Pittsburg thinks training school teachers gives confidence. Speaking about the Columbine incident he believes if school personnel were trained enough they could deter attention getters and reduce the chances of these type of things happening. "The hands on training has to be basic, I love all martial arts but not all of it is practical enough to work for the average school teacher, who may have a gun pointed at them." He advocates adopting the "Bruce Lee Approach", use what works and discard the rest". He feels that a few hours of training may help teachers return to their classrooms with heightened awareness helping to keep them from feeling helpless.
What do you think?

Worst Gifts Best Gifts

Gifts From Deez Hands

The lack of creative gift choices available on the mass production market can be terribly frustrating. Shopping for a gift that is decorative and useful can be quite discouraging. Add that to buying for a picky loved one. 

We took a survey and asked what were the worst gifts to receive and what were the best. I requested everyone stay within their own price range but I think dreamland took over for some. LOL

Worst Gifts: tooth brush, tighty whitey's, screw driver, socks, pajamas.

Best Gifts:  $1,000,000.00, a mortgage payment, jersey, jewelry, weekend getaway. masseuse.

Well this was good news to me, since the best gifts were pricey and the worst gifts we don't sell.

That translates to, you need to start shopping in shops like 

GiftsFromDeezHands.com, Blackbusinessnetwork.com, Africanamericandollarstore.com.

These stores sell products that are reasonably priced and beautifully produced. Shop where your money will have the most noticeable positive affect. 

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURS!

Adinkra Symbols From Ghana

The Akan people are of West Africa, Ghana. The Word Adinkra as described in The Adinkra Dictionary by W, Bruce Willis, is made up of three parts, di means "to make use of", nkra means  "message", and the a is the Akan prefix for an abstract noun. together it means, "to part, be separated, to leave one another, or to say goodbye. Some of these symbols are over two hundred years old. Adinkra symbols represent cultural mores, communal values, philosophical concepts or codes of conduct. Give meaning to your tatoo. Speak with the symbols from the ancient past of west African ancestors.
Check out www.giftsfromdeezhands.com for beautiful handmade gifts with Adinkra symbols included.
Look for a symbol every month up close. Each One Teach One- So PLEASE pass this on.

Blackbelts Call To Arms

"Knowing is not enough: we must apply.

Willing is not enough; we must do".

                     Grandmaster Bruce Lee

What does it all mean? What criteria are used to determine who wears a Blackbelt? Is it how many push ups you can do? Does how many fights you've had and not lost give you this special ability? How does having a blackbelt make life different for you? Do you have a special responsibility to your environment when you where a Blackbelt? Most importantly, what kind of "Arms" do Blackbelts answer the call to?

There are thousands of men, women and children who wear a blackbelt on their waist. Not all have answered the call to Arm others have answered in numerous ways. Journey with us as we answer some of your most pertinent questions. in our monthly "Blackbelts Call To Arms" series beginning March 1, 2014. 

Adinkra Tatoos: Blackbelts Call To Arms

Adinkra Tatoos: Blackbelts Call To Arms: "Knowing is not enough: we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do".                      Grandmaster Bruce Lee Wha...