Animals and the local(Akan) and English names

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Animals and the local(Akan) and English names Here’s a quick list of common animals with Akan and English names. Akan spelling varies a bit by dialect, but this is Twi/Akuapem standard: Domestic Animals | English | Akan | Notes | | Dog | **Okraman** | Literally “hunter’s animal” | | Cat | **Okwraman** / **Nkwakora** | Okwraman is common. Nkwakora is more formal | | Goat | **Abirekyi** | | | Sheep | **Odwan** | | | Cow / Cattle | **Nantwi** | | | Pig | **Kotoku** | | | Chicken | **Akokɔ** | | | Guinea fowl | **Akwadwene** | | | Duck | **Ɔtuntum** | | | Horse | **Pɔnkɔ** | Borrowed from “pony” | | Donkey | **Afunte** | | Wild Animals | English | Akan | Notes | | Lion | **Gyata** | Also used for “brave person” | | Leopard | **Ebɔ** | | | Elephant | **Ɔsɔ** | | | Monkey | **Ɔkye** | Generic for most monkeys | | Baboon | **Bɔkɔ** | | | Antelope | **Antelope** / **Abɔnten** | Abɔnten = bush antelope | | Bush rat / Grasscutter | **Akrante** | Big delicacy in Ghana | | Squirrel | **Bete** | | | Snake | **Ɔwɔ** | | | Crocodile | **Denkyɛ** | | | Tortoise | **Sankɔfa** | Same word as the Adinkra symbol | | Frog | **Aponkye** | | | Bat | **Apan** | | Birds & Others | English | Akan | | Eagle | **Ɔkɔdeɛ** | | Owl | **Pataku** | | Vulture | **Ɔpataku** | | Parrot | **Akɔkɔsradeɛ** | | Fish | **Nsam** | | Bee | **Nsenene** | | Ant | **Mmoa** | | Termite | **Mpempe** | Useful notes: Plural: Akan usually adds “m-” or “n-” before the word. Akokɔ = chicken, Nkokɔ = chickens. Mmoa means “animal” in general, but also “insects.” Context tells you which. Many animals show up in Akan proverbs and folktales. Ananse = Spider is the trickster, Kwaku Ananse. Want me to make you a 20-animal quiz with Akan names, or give you the animals used in common Akan proverbs?

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