Akrafokonmu

Gold disks of the Akan people of Africa, often elaborately worked, usually worn as pectoral pendants, but known to be worn occasionally attached to caps or the hair or tied to the ankle. Their original function, especially among the Asante, was to mark the wearer as the "akra" or "soul washer" of a king, responsible for cleansing the king's soul in ceremonies of purification or soul renewal. Later on akrafokonmu became multifunctional, worn by kings, chiefs, sword bearers, heralds, sub-chiefs, war leaders, junior officials, and young girls at puberty ceremonies.