In West Africa once known as the Gold Coast, high-ranking officials within the courts of Akan chiefs carry the gold-covered staffs like this one. The Akan peoples place an enormous emphasis on speech; they are a society that originally had no written tradition. Like most kingdoms spoken word, in the form of stories, is the repository of Akan custom and values, and a complete of proverbial lore, combined with an insightful way of describing it. The staff is considered the mark of intellect of highly esteemed individuals. Those who possess this knowledge and an articulate command of language may be appointed as court linguists, the most important non-royal court officials. The Linguist Staff (elephant) was created by the Akan people, Asante in
