Abui
The meaning and philosophical significance of Abui
Abui is the Ga word for “needle.” The symbol depicts a threaded needle. The proverb associated with this symbol is “Abui ni edɔ shaa ni,” to wit, “A hot needle burns things.” This proverb is sometimes rendered as “Abui ni edɔ shaa kpaa,” where “kpaa” is Ga for “thread.” Hence, the second rendering translates literally as “A hot needle burns a thread.”
The symbol warns against the dangers of anger and commends the virtue of patience. When one is angry, he must nonetheless exercise self-control lest he cause irreparable harm through his actions and his words which, once uttered, cannot be taken back.
