Skip to content

Zimmermann, Johannes – Memorial stone

Inscription of the memorial stone:

ALMIGHTY IMMORTAL GOD!
WITHOUT YOU
NOTHING CAN HAPPEN
YOU ARE
THE SOURCE OF ALL
YOUR GRACE LET US
BEGIN NEW EVERY DAY
WE CAN'T PRAISE
OURSELVES.
HELP THAT OUR RULE IS NOT
AN EYE FOR AN EYE.
WE ARE CONNECTED WITH YOU
IN LIFE AND DEATH.
IN DEATH WE
ARE ALL EQUAL.
THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER WILTS,
BUT THE WORD OF GOD
STAYS ETERNALLY!GERLINGEN, 1873. (Signature) J. Zimmermann
JOHANNES ZIMMERMANN FROM GERLINGEN, MISSIONARY, LINGUIST, 

FRIEND OF AFRICA, 1850-1876 ODUMASE ABOKOBI AKROPONG GHANA.

The symbols are so called Adinkra symbols from Ghana. Clothes with Adinkra motifs are still used in Ghana in mourning periods. The meaning of most of the (ca. 400) Adinkra symbols got lost. Here the meaning of the symbols on the Zimmermann memorial stone in Gerlingen:

Gye Nyame (almighty god): Symbol of the almighty and moral of god
(Do you know the meaning of this symbol?)
Nsoromma (Child of heaven, star). A child of the lord. Symbol of custody; reminder that good takes care of all people.
Hye won hye (all that does not burn): Symbol of eternity, stabilty and absolution.
Kintinkantan (don't boast):  Being abject and serving is necessary.
Sankofa (return and find it): It is important to learn from the past. It is no shame to return an restart where you lost the way.
Nkonsonkonson (Chain links, connection) Symbol of unity and human relations. Reminder to contribute to the community, which produces strength.
Owuo Atwedee Baako Nfo (the ladder of death): A reminder to the transitoriness of being and to live in this way that the soul is prepared for a life after death.