Inscription of the memorial stone:
| ALMIGHTY IMMORTAL GOD! | ||
| WITHOUT YOU NOTHING CAN HAPPEN |
YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL |
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| YOUR GRACE LET US BEGIN NEW EVERY DAY |
WE CAN'T PRAISE OURSELVES. |
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| HELP THAT OUR RULE IS NOT AN EYE FOR AN EYE. |
WE ARE CONNECTED WITH YOU IN LIFE AND DEATH. |
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| IN DEATH WE ARE ALL EQUAL. |
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| THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER WILTS, BUT THE WORD OF GOD STAYS ETERNALLY!GERLINGEN, 1873. (Signature) J. Zimmermann |
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| JOHANNES ZIMMERMANN FROM GERLINGEN, MISSIONARY, LINGUIST,
FRIEND OF AFRICA, 1850-1876 ODUMASE ABOKOBI AKROPONG GHANA. |
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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:
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Gye Nyame (almighty god): Symbol of the almighty and moral of god |
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(Do you know the meaning of this symbol?) |
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Nsoromma (Child of heaven, star). A child of the lord. Symbol of custody; reminder that good takes care of all people. |
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Hye won hye (all that does not burn): Symbol of eternity, stabilty and absolution. |
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Kintinkantan (don't boast): Being abject and serving is necessary. |
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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. |
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Nkonsonkonson (Chain links, connection) Symbol of unity and human relations. Reminder to contribute to the community, which produces strength. |
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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. |