Adinkra Underwear

Cotton pouch boxers with designs inspired by the Adinkra symbols of the Akan people of Ghana, from Hector's, a Black-owned brand based in Mortlake, London.

A Black-owned London underwear brand

Hector's is a Black-owned business, founded by Hector Obeng, who opened our award-winning salon on Lower Richmond Road in Mortlake in 2003. Our underwear is designed by the same business, and the Adinkra range is where our heritage shows most clearly.

Every Adinkra piece is our own design. You won't find it on the high street, and you can see and buy it in person at the salon as well as online.

What Adinkra symbols are

Adinkra symbols come from the Akan people of Ghana. Each symbol stands for an idea, a proverb or a value, such as wisdom, strength, humility or unity. Traditionally they were stamped onto cloth with carved calabash stamps and worn for their meaning, not just their look.

Today Adinkra symbols appear across art, jewellery, architecture and fashion around the world. Our range carries that visual language into something you wear every day.

Sankofa: go back and fetch it

Sankofa is one of the best-known Adinkra symbols. The word is usually translated as "go back and fetch it", meaning it is not wrong to go back for what you have left behind: learn from the past to build the future. It is often drawn as a bird turning its head back towards its tail, or as a stylised heart.

Our Sankofa range, the Sankofa Freedom Pants, is named after it. Read our story on what Sankofa means for more of the symbol's history.

Built for comfort, not just the print

Adinkra boxers are cotton, cut for a snug fit, with a contoured front pouch that keeps everything supported and in place. Cotton is breathable and soft against the skin, which makes it a comfortable choice for everyday wear, work and the gym.

If you have not worn a pouch before, our cotton pouch boxers page explains what the pouch does and why it is more comfortable than a flat front.

Choosing your size

Our underwear is listed by waist size in inches, and some styles also show letter sizes. Measure your waist where the waistband sits and pick that size. Our underwear size guide covers waist sizes from 28 to 38 inches, including what to do if you are between sizes.

A gift with meaning

Adinkra underwear is a popular gift because the design carries a message. It suits birthdays, Father's Day and cultural celebrations, and Black History Month every October. Some designs come as 2-packs.

Pair it with a fragrance or a PHWOAR grooming product for a complete Hector's gift.