Dreaming of the forest in the Akan tradition: meaning
The Akan land lies largely in the rainforest. In the stories the forest is the place of Ananse, of the abosom and of the mmoatia, small forest spirits from folk stories. A forest in a dream is read in an Akan reading as a place of wisdom, trial and the unknown.
Within this tradition
The forest, kwae, is both a source of life and a place of the unknown in the Akan tradition. It provides food, wood and medicines, but it is also where the stories take place: Ananse playing his tricks, hunters meeting strange beings, and the mmoatia, small forest spirits from folk stories said to have knowledge of herbs. According to the tradition some abosom also dwell in forests or by particular trees.
In an Akan reading a forest dream is therefore not read as landscape alone. A dream in which you go into the forest can stand for a search for knowledge or a trial you must endure. Meeting someone in the forest, such as an old man or woman, can be read as counsel or wisdom you receive on the way. Getting lost in the forest is more often about insecurity and the feeling of having lost your way in a new situation.
The Adinkra symbol Aya, the fern, grows precisely in difficult places and stands for endurance and resourcefulness. It fits dreams in which you make your way through a dense forest.
Folk stories also contain frightening forest beings. Dreamkin does not establish that a dream shows such a being, and reads a scary forest dream as fear of the unknown rather than as a warning.
Common variations
Going into the forest
A search for knowledge, or a trial you must endure.
Meeting an elder in the forest
Counsel or wisdom you receive on the way.
Getting lost in the forest
Insecurity, having lost your way in a new situation.
Making your way through dense forest
Aya, the fern: endurance and resourcefulness.
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Write your dream in the appFrequently asked questions
What are mmoatia?
Small forest spirits from Akan folk stories, said to have knowledge of herbs. In the Ananse story he catches one.
What does the Adinkra symbol Aya mean?
Aya is the fern, which grows in difficult places. It stands for endurance and resourcefulness.
Does such a dream predict misfortune?
No. The Akan reading on Dreamkin does not predict misfortune. A dream is read as counsel or encouragement, and whoever finds it weighs heavily discusses it with an elder in the family.