Therapeutic Potencies of Traditional Ashanti Art Forms

Abstract

Much attention has not been drawn to the study and documentation of the potencies of traditional Ashanti visual art forms although several attempts have been made to document some visual aspect of art use for therapeutic purposes. The purpose of the study is to identify and make accessible some of the traditional Ashanti Visual art forms used for restoration purposes. This will be materialized by proper documentation. The study provides information on the traditional means of using art for restoration among Ashanti and further review the current trend of art therapy in other to provide road map for merging them for effective implementation and accessibility. The researcher identify some visual art forms like Akuaba doll, Pots, Beads, Body art among others that were traditionally proved to have possessed special powers to restore. The potencies were manifested in psychological, emotional and mythical means

Keywords: therapeutic, curative, Ashanti tradition