Dreaming and Reality: The Concept of Dayeꜫ/ ꜫlaleꜫ Dreams in the Akan Worldview

Abstract

Dreams embody a collective understanding across cultures, reflecting both individual and shared archetypes and desires (Heneise, 2017). This communal view connects to broader cultural narratives. While some see dreams as insights into human psychology, others view them as illusions or aspects of reality. In the Ghanaian social context, dreams reflect concerns about identity and relationships. Whether it is a deceased relative revealing the location of buried gold or an unknown figure impacting the dreamer, the Akan actively interpret these experiences. Dreams can both empower individuals and evoke anxieties about social disconnecting. For the Akan, the conceptualization of dreams stems from a belief system that dualizes the human person as both a spiritual and physical entity, as does the world. The narrations and experiences of the interviewees highlight the significance of dreams among the Nzema and Asante Akan. The discussion centres on the argument that the Akan conceptualization of dreams acknowledges the sociality of the dream object situated within the matrix of Indigenous social relationships. Using qualitative methods in data collection, I examine the significance and interpretation of dreams in Ghanaian culture, as well as their role in shaping beliefs and decision-making within Ghanaian society.