The Ashanti Empire of present-day Ghana developed a variety of decorative seats indicating status and power during the 18th and 19th centuries. Akonkromfi would be used by Ashanti royalty at special occasions. The name ‘akonkromfi,’ meaning ‘praying mantis,’ references the shape of this type of chair: a low, crossed-legged posture. This chair is adorned with brass knobs and tacks, and the ornate designs utilize adinkra. Adinkra is a set of Akan symbols with assigned meanings, often used on textiles, pottery, and other crafts, some with enduring meaning across the African diaspora.