Animals and their Akan names
Akan is widely spoken in Ghana. Here are the most common animals + their Akan names:
*1. Domestic animals*
English Akan Pronunciation tip
**Dog** Kraman kra-man
**Cat** Nkwakwaa / Pusu n-kwa-kwa / poo-soo
**Goat** Aberewa / Mmprako ah-be-re-wa / mm-pra-ko
**Sheep** Odwan o-dwan
**Cow** Anantwie a-nan-twee
**Pig** Mprenku / Prako mm-prehn-koo
**Chicken** Akokɔ a-koh-ko
**Rooster** Akokɔberan a-koh-ko-be-ran
**Hen** Akokɔbaa a-koh-ko-baa
**Duck** Akɔtɔn a-koh-ton
**Turkey** Akɔnɔwa a-koh-noh-wa
*2. Wild animals*
English Akan
**Lion** Gyata
**Elephant** Esono
**Monkey** Ɔkɔ
**Baboon** Mmoa
**Leopard** Ewia
**Hyena** Kɔkɔdɔm
**Antelope** Otwe
**Buffalo** Bɔkɔe
**Zebra** Zebra - same, but sometimes akɔtɔkɔ
**Snake** Wɔ
**Tortoise** Kɔtɔkɔ
**Crocodile** Densɛm
**Hippopotamus** Mmoboro
*3. Birds & other creatures*
English Akan
**Bird** Anomaa
**Eagle** Akwɛ
**Owl** Apotoyewa
**Parrot** Akonɔ
**Bat** Apan
**Fish** Nsuo mu nam / Nam
**Crab** Mɔkɔ
**Ant** Nsowa
**Bee** Ewiaa / Enwia
**Mosquito** Mɔnkɔ
**Butterfly** Nantwinini
*4. Fun Akan proverbs with animals*
Akan people use animals a lot in proverbs:
1. "Gyata na ɛyɛ ɔkyerɛkyerɛfoɔ" - The lion is a teacher. = Be brave and lead
2. "Kɔtɔkɔ nim asɛm a ɔnka" - The tortoise knows things but doesn't talk. = Be wise and quiet
3. "Sɛ abɔnten so bɔne a, anantwie ani bɛberɛ" - If there's trouble outside, the cow will be scared. = Trouble affects everyone
*Quick notes*
1. Akan has dialects - Twi and Fante spellings can differ a bit. Ex: Cat = Pusu in Twi, Nkwakwaa in some areas
2. "Ɔ" and "ɔ" are real letters in Akan. Ɔkɔ = monkey
3. Kids in Ghana learn these through songs and stories
Want me to make you:
1. A full A-Z list with pictures
2. Animal sounds + Akan names for kids
3. Just farm animals, or just wild animals
Which one should I do next?