The origin of the Ultimes Griots logo

The Ultimes Griots logo is inspired by the Adinkra symbol Nkonsonkonson (Kon-Son-Kon-Son, a bit hard to pronounce, I imagine 😅). Adinkra symbols are usually printed on wax cloth (pagnes) in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. They represent proverbs, expressions, attitudes or more abstract concepts. 

Nkonsonkonson literally means “chain link”. This adinkra symbolizes unity and the bonds between human beings. The meaning it embodies fits perfectly with the vision of Ultimes Griots — a vision of being the comic book that serves as a bridge, bringing all of Africa together. 

Let’s decode the Ultimes Griots logo together

The typography of the letters U and G

This cursive typeface has an inflection point at the center and at the ends, shaped like fingers. These are in fact the basic shapes of the nkonsonkon, stretched in a deliberate movement to form the U and the G. This movement is not finished. The end goal is for the two letters to greet each other to form the final Ultimes Griots logo. 

So you can see that the logo will evolve and accompany the work throughout its journey.

The white dotted border 

This line of 215 dots can easily be seen as a border or barrier that tends to keep the two letters inside their egg. 

However, you can see irregularities in this barrier. On the left hemisphere, where the finger of the letter G points, there is what looks like a crack beginning in the chain. We can’t say more for now. But nothing is insignificant in Ultimes Griots. 

Finally, the logo may call to mind an embryo of twins, which is also closely linked to the deeper theme of Ultimes Griots. 

In summary…

The Ultimes Griots logo is a living logo, inspired by the Nkonsonkon — the adinkra symbolizing connection, unity and relationships between human beings. It presents two entities, two ways of thinking, two opposites,… Forced to share the same shell, the same courtyard, the same ground…

Two entities about to enter a movement of rapprochement, reconciliation and unification. The energy created by this movement puts pressure on the chain-barrier that until now limited their expansion.  

We will end this article on the Ultimes Griots logo here. Sorry if it raises more questions than it answers.

Hotep!