Bese Saka is the symbol of power, abundance, plenty, togetherness, and unity. It also symbolizes agriculture and trade. The literal translation is “a sack of cola nuts.”

Funtunfunefu-Denkyemfunefu depicts two joined crocodiles and represents cooperation and democracy. The crocodiles share one stomach, yet they fight over food. This popular symbol is a reminder that infighting and tribalism is harmful to all who engage in it.

Nkyinkyim represents the idea that life’s journey is a twisted, often tortuous journey requiring resilience and versatility. The literal translation is “twisted.”

Epa symbolizes bondage, captivity, law, and justice. The literal translation is “handcuffs,” which were introduced in Africa by European invaders and later became popular among chiefs in cuffing offenders of the law.

Aya is a symbol of endurance and resourcefulness represented by the fern. The fern is a hardy plant that can grow in inhospitable places. An individual who wears the Aya symbol has endured many adversities and outlasted much difficulty.

Bin Nka Bi represents peace and harmony. It depicts two fish biting each other’s tails, and the direct translation is “No one should bite the other.” Although the symbol doesn’t appear before a section in the book, I include it here because it is the tattoo on the side of Two Fish’s face.

LOCATIONS USED IN THE DOOR OF NO RETURN

Akra, also known as Accra, is the largest city in Ghana. It became the capital in 1877 and sits right on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, which feeds into the Atlantic Ocean.

Bonwire is a town in Ghana, where the most popular cloth in Africa, known as kente, originated.

Cape Coast is the capital of the Central Region of Ghana. It too sits on the Gulf of Guinea. In the seventeenth century, the Swedish built the Cape Coast Castle that was later used by the British as a holding prison for kidnapped Africans.

Kumasi is the capital of the Asante Region in southern Ghana. It is celebrated as the center of Asante culture with its Kejetia Market and the National Cultural Center.

Offin River is a waterway in Ghana. It is located in the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve, which is in Ghana’s Atwima Mponua District. It has steep channels and an average depth of twelve to fifteen meters.

Pra River is the largest river out of the three principal rivers in Ghana, with a length of 149 miles.

Upper Kwanta and Lower Kwanta are places that I imagined, based on real places that I’ve been to, or read about, in Ghana.