Akan gold weights, known as mrammou, are weights made of brass that are used as a measuring system by the Akan people of West Africa. They were mainly used for weighing gold dust which was the currency of the Akan until it was replaced with paper money and coins.

The weights look like miniature of everyday objects or of people doing daily chores.  The Akan use an Islamic weight system.  Each weight had a known measurement.

This allowed merchants to trade fairly with one another. With the addition of each weight a merchant’s status increased. Complete sets of weights were given as gifts to newly wedded couples. This insured that man would be able to enter the merchant trade respectably and successfully.