The Asante , also known as Ashanti in English ( / ə ˈ ʃ ɑː n t iː / ), are part of the Akan ethnic group and are native to the Ashanti Region of modern-day Ghana . Asantes are the last group to emerge out of the various Akan civilisations. Twi is spoken by over nine million Asante people as their native language.
94-563: The Asante people developed the Ashanti Empire , along the Lake Volta and Gulf of Guinea . The empire was founded in 1670, and the capital Kumase was founded in 1680 by Asantehene Osei Kofi Tutu I on the advice of Okomfo Anokye , his premier . Sited at the crossroads of the Trans-Saharan trade , Kumase's strategic location contributed significantly to its growth. Over the duration of
188-406: A volcanic crater lake , Lake Bosumtwi , and Asante is bordered westerly to Lake Volta within the central part of present-day Ghana. The Asante (Kingdom of Asante) territory is densely forested, mostly fertile and to some extent mountainous. There are two seasons—the rainy season (April to November) and the dry season (December to March). The land has several streams ; the dry season, however
282-556: A 10-14 stringed harp-lute, as well as the Fontomfrom drums are originally from the Bono Akan people. Kente clothing. Asante are a matrilineal society where line of descent is traced through the female. Historically, this mother progeny relationship determined land rights , inheritance of property, offices and titles. It is also true that the Asante inherit property from the paternal side of
376-554: A bachelor's degree or master's degree program in Asante. The Asante language and Asante Twi have some unique linguistic features like tone , vowel harmony and nasalization . The Asante follow Akan religion and the Asante religion (a traditional religion which seems to be dying slowly but is revived only on major special occasions—yet is undergoing a global revival across the diaspora), followed by Christianity ( Roman Catholicism and Protestantism ) and Islam . Asante people received
470-578: A gold-rimmed drinking cup in 1824. British forces later burnt and sacked the Asante capital of Kumasi , however, and following the final Asante defeat at the fifth Anglo-Ashanti War, the Asante empire became part of the Gold Coast colony on 1 January 1902. Today, the Asante Kingdom survives as a constitutionally protected, sub-national traditional state in union with the Republic of Ghana. The current king of
564-402: A heavy indemnity. Practitioners of harmful (evil) forms of sorcery and witchcraft receive death but not by decapitation, for their blood must not be shed. They receive execution by strangling, burning, or drowning. Ordinarily, families or lineages settle disputes between individuals. Nevertheless, such disputes can be brought to trial before a chief by uttering the taboo oath of a chief or
658-422: A key aspect of Asante womanhood–being an advisor. In the cataloguing of Asante familial and legal systems in R.S. Rattray 's Asante Law and Constitution Asante law specifies that sexual relations between a man and certain women are forbidden, even though not related by blood. The punishment for offense is death, although it does not carry quite the same stigma to an Asante clan as incest. Sexual relations between
752-501: A large apartment on each side, open in front, with two supporting pillars, which break the view and give it all the appearance of the proscenium or front of the stage of the older Italian theaters. They are lofty and regular, and the cornices of a very bold cane-work in alto-relievo. A drop-curtain of curiously plaited cane is suspended in front, and in each, we observed chairs and stools embossed with gold, and beds of silk, with scattered regalia. Winwood Reade also described his visit to
846-558: A man and any one of the following women is forbidden: The Asante people speak Asante Twi, which is the official language of the Ashanti Region and the main language spoken in Asante and by the Asante people. Asante language is spoken by over 9 million ethnic Asante people as a first or second language. The Asante language is the official language utilized for literacy in Asante, at the primary and elementary educational stage (Primary 1–3) K–12 (education) level, and studied at university as
940-617: A medium between the people of his jurisdiction, the ancestor and the gods. As the head of the village, the Odikro presided over the village council. The queen or Ohenemaa was an important figure in Asante political systems. She was the most powerful female in the Empire, because the Ohene represents her or her family and is either her son or her sister's son. She has the power to be King, if she desires but would rather see her son or her maternal nephew(which
1034-410: A way that they should not be mistaken for fines , but are considered as revenue to the state, which for the most part welcomes quarrels and litigation . Commutations tend to be far more frequent than executions . Asante are repulsed by murder , and suicide is considered murder. They decapitate those who commit suicide, the conventional punishment for murder. The suicide thus had contempt for
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#17328453116851128-410: Is a ceremony that is conducted for girls in the community from the ages of 13 to 20. The precursor to bragoro puberty rites is onset by the beginning of Menstruation in a girl's life. The purpose of bragoro rites is to enable women to get married, showcase them to society, teach them how to be wives and mothers, and signify the coming of age of girls. The cultural symbolism in the ceremony represents
1222-508: Is also considered her 2nd child in African culture). She had the prerogative of being consulted in the process of installing a chief or the king, as she played a major role in the nomination and selection. She settled disputes involving women and was involved in decision-making alongside the Council of elders and chiefs. Not only did she participate in the judicial and legislative processes, but also in
1316-414: Is believed to have visited Agona-Akrofonso . Realizing the strengths of a loose confederation of Akan states, Osei Tutu strengthened centralization of the surrounding Akan groups and expanded the powers of the judiciary system within the centralized government. This loose confederation of small city-states grew into a kingdom and eventually an empire looking to expand its borders. Newly conquered areas had
1410-457: Is commonplace for many Jamaicans to have this descent. Also are Jamaican freedom fighters during slavery: Nanny of the Maroons (now a Jamaican National Heroine), Tacky and Jack Mansong or Three-finger Jack. The names Nanny and Tacky are English corruptions of Asante words and names: "Nanny" is a corruption of the Asante word Nana , meaning "king/queen/grandparent", the name Tacky is a corruption of
1504-581: Is extremely desiccated. Ashanti Region is hot year round. Today Asante people number upwards of 10 million. Asante Twi, the majority language, is a member of the Central Tano languages within the Kwa languages . Asante political power combines Asantehene Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II as the political head of the Asantes and the Ashanti Region, with Asante semi- one-party state representative New Patriotic Party , and since
1598-400: Is the asserted modern origin of the name. The Ashanti Region has a variable terrain: coasts and mountains ; wildlife sanctuary , strict nature reserve , and national parks ; forests and grasslands ; lush agricultural areas; and near savannas , enriched with vast deposits of industrial minerals , most notably vast deposits of gold . The territory Asante people settled is home to
1692-568: Is traditionally asserted by scholars to derive from the 1670s as the Asante went from being a tributary state to a centralized hierarchical kingdom. Asantehene Osei Tutu I, military leader and head of the Asante Oyoko clan, founded the Asante Empire. Osei Tutu I obtained the support of other clan chiefs and, using Kumase as the central base, subdued surrounding Akan states. Osei Tutu challenged and eventually defeated Denkyira in 1701, and this
1786-628: The Asantehene was the only person in Asante permitted to invoke the death sentence in cases of crime. During wartime, the King acted as Supreme Commander of the Asante army , although during the 19th century, the fighting was increasingly handled by the Ministry of War in Kumasi. Each member of the confederacy was also obliged to send annual tribute to Kumasi. The Asantehene (King of all Asante) reigned over all and
1880-515: The Ashanti Crown Colony on 26 September 1901. Asantehene Agyeman Prempeh was deposed and arrested, and he and other Asante leaders were sent into exile in the Seychelles . The Asante Union was dissolved . A British Resident was permanently placed in the city of Kumasi, and soon after a British fort was built there . As a final measure of resistance, the remaining Asante court not exiled to
1974-823: The Atlantic slave trade , a known diaspora of Asante exists in the Caribbean , particularly in Jamaica . Slaves captured and sold to the European slave traders along the coasts were sent to the West Indies , particularly Jamaica, Barbados , Netherlands Antilles , British Virgin Islands , the Bahamas , Guyana , Suriname , etc. Asante were known to be very opposed to both the Fante Confederacy and
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#17328453116852068-508: The Battle of Feyiase , and Denkyira became a tributary to the Ashanti Empire . This was led by Ntim Gyakari the then Denkyirahene who is a son of Kwaaman hene and later Ashanti hene Otumfou Osie Tutu. In 1868 Denkyira entered the Fante Confederacy to align with the powerful Fante Union. The Fante Confederacy had also at this time become allies of the British. The Ashanti Empire also were allies of
2162-570: The British , French , Dutch , and Arabs . Scholars of Ashanti history, such as Larry Yarak and Ivor Wilks , disagree over the power of this sophisticated bureaucracy in comparison to the Asantehene, but agree that it was a sign of a highly developed government with a complex system of checks and balances . At the top of Asante's power structure sat the Asantehene , the King of Asante. Each Asantahene
2256-714: The British , as the Asante only traded with the Dutch in times of their ascension to becoming a hegemony of most of the area of present-day Ghana. Coromantee , the English-language term for enslaved Akan people, came from the original name of the Dutch slave fort of Fort Amsterdam (Fort Kormantse). This was despite this fort being primarily occupied by the Dutch during its history and having no records of trade to Jamaica while being under Dutch ownership. Evidence of Asante and Akan-day names and Asante and Akan-surnames (but mispronounced by
2350-531: The Dutch . The economy of the Asante Empire was mainly based on the trade of gold and agricultural exports as well as slave trading , craft work and trade with markets further north . The Asante Empire fought several wars with neighboring kingdoms and lesser organized groups such as the Fante . The Asante held their own against the British in the first two of the five Anglo-Ashanti Wars , killing British army general Sir Charles MacCarthy and keeping his skull as
2444-563: The Kingdom of Great Britain , to conquer them. The Asante limited British influence in the Asante State, as Britain annexed neighbouring areas. The Asante were described as a fierce organized people whose king "can bring 200,000 men into the field and whose warriors are evidently not cowed by Snider rifles and 7-pounder guns". The Ashanti Empire was one of the few African states that seriously resisted European colonization . Between 1823 and 1896,
2538-738: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland fought four wars against the Asante kings: the Anglo-Asante Wars . In 1901, the British finally defeated the state following the 1900 War of the Golden Stool and the Ashanti Empire was made a British protectorate , in 1902, and the office of Asantehene was discontinued with the Asante capital Kumasi annexed into the British empire; however, the Asante still largely governed themselves. Asante gave little to no deference to colonial authorities. In 1926,
2632-486: The mmerewa dress the young ladies in white cloth ( ntoma ) and gold jewelry. Afterward, the girls are showcased to the entire community with songs, dances, and praises. For the Asante, every color and object has cultural significance meaning, which reflects the meaning of womanhood in Asante culture. Ntoma/Cloth The white color of the ntoma /cloth that the girls are dressed in signifies vitality, sanctity, victory, and purity. Gold Jewelry The gold/yellow color of
2726-536: The town or district . The Elders then presented the nomination to the assembled people. If the assembled citizens disapproved of the nominee, the process was restarted. Chosen, the new Kings were enstooled by the Elders, who admonished him with expectations. The chosen Kings swore a solemn oath to the Earth Goddess and to his ancestors to fulfill his duties honorably in which he "sacrificed" himself and his life for
2820-521: The 1670s the Ashanti went from being a tributary state to the centralized hierarchical Denkyira kingdom. Asantehene Osei Kofi Tutu I , military leader and head of the Oyoko clan, founded the Asante kingdom. Osei Tutu obtained the support of other clan chiefs and using Kumase as the central base, subdued surrounding states. Osei Tutu challenged and eventually defeated Denkyira in 1701, and presumptuously from this,
2914-484: The Asante gold wealth. The Asante also traded enslaved people. At this time the trade of enslaved people was focused towards the north. The army served as the effective tool to procure captives. These captives from war would go to Hausa and Mande traders and would be exchanged for goods from North Africa and other European goods. When the gold mines in the Sahel started to play out, the Asante kingdom rose to prominence as
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3008-519: The Asante Empire and Great Britain and its allies. The British lost or negotiated truces in several of these wars, with the final war resulting in British burning of Kumasi and official occupation of the Asante Empire in 1900. The wars were mainly due to Asante attempts to establish a stronghold over the coastal areas of present-day Ghana. Coastal peoples such as the Fante and the Ga came to rely on British protection against Asante incursions. In December 1895,
3102-601: The Asante Kingdom, with the Golden Stool of Asante as a sole unifying symbol. Osei Tutu oversaw a massive Asante territorial expansion, building up the army by introducing new organisation and turning a disciplined royal and paramilitary army into an effective fighting machine. In 1701, the Ashanti army conquered Denkyira , giving the Ashanti access to the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean coastal trade with Europeans, notably
3196-461: The Asante Royal Palace of Kumasi in 1874: "We went to the king's palace, which consists of many courtyards, each surrounded with alcoves and verandahs, and having two gates or doors, so that each yard was a thoroughfare . . . But the part of the palace fronting the street was a stone house, Moorish in its style . . . with a flat roof and a parapet, and suites of apartments on the first floor. It
3290-563: The Asante as it is believed to contain the Sunsum — spirit or soul of the Asante people. In the 1670s the head of the Oyoko clan, Osei Kofi Tutu I , began another rapid consolidation of Akan peoples via diplomacy and warfare. King Osei Kofi Tutu I and his chief advisor, Okomfo Kwame Frimpong Anokye led a coalition of influential Asante city-states against their mutual oppressor, the Denkyira who held
3384-404: The Asante conception of rectitude and good behaviour , which favours harmony among the people. The rules were made by Nyame (Supreme God ) and the ancestors, and one must behave accordingly. The Asante Empire was one of a series of states along the coast including Dahomey, Benin , and Oyo . The Asante had mountains and large agricultural surpluses. The southern part of the Asante Empire
3478-470: The Asante kingdom as a protectorate . the Asante kingdom was restored to self-rule on 31 January 1935. Asante King Prempeh II was restored in 1957, and the Asante kingdom entered a state union with Ghana on independence from the United Kingdom. The Asante state was a centralized state made up of a hierarchy of heads starting from the " Abusua Panyin" who was head of a family or lineage. The family
3572-506: The Asante kingdom in its thrall. The Asante kingdom utterly defeated them at the Battle of Feyiase , proclaiming its independence in 1701. Subsequently, through hard line force of arms and savoir-faire diplomacy, the duo induced the leaders of the other Asante city-states to declare allegiance and adherence to Kumasi, the Asante capital. From the beginning, King Osei Tutu and priest Anokye followed an expansionist and an imperialistic provincial foreign policy. According to folklore, Okomfo Anokye
3666-459: The Asante kingdom is Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Asantehene . The Asante kingdom is the home to Lake Bosumtwi , Ghana's only natural lake. The state's current economic revenue is derived mainly from trading in gold bars , cocoa , kola nuts and agriculture . The name Asante means "because of war". The word derives from the Twi words ɔsa meaning "war" and nti meaning "because of". This name comes from
3760-479: The Asante surname Takyi , and Mansong is a corruption of the Asante surname Manso , respectively. Ashanti Empire The Asante Empire ( Asante Twi : Asanteman ), also known as the Ashanti Empire , was an Akan state that lasted from 1701 to 1901, in what is now modern-day Ghana . It expanded from the Ashanti Region to include most of Ghana and also parts of Ivory Coast and Togo . Due to
3854-435: The Asante's origin as a kingdom created to fight the Denkyira kingdom. The variant name "Ashanti" comes from British reports transcribing "Asante" as the British heard it pronounced, as-hanti . The hyphenation was subsequently dropped and the name Ashanti remained, with various spellings including Ashantee common into the early 20th century. Between the 10th and 12th centuries AD, the ethnic Akan people migrated into
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3948-598: The Asantehene and served as an advisory body to the king. The council was made up of Amanhene or paramount chiefs who were leaders of the various Asante states. The council also included other provincial chiefs. By law the Asantehene never ignored the decisions of the Asanteman council. Doing so could get him de-stooled from the throne. The Asante Empire was made up of metropolitan and provincial states. The metropolitan states were made up of Asante citizens known as amanfo . The provincial states were other kingdoms absorbed into
4042-406: The Asantehene as their king. The Asante government was built upon a sophisticated bureaucracy in Kumasi, with separate ministries to handle the state's affairs. Of particular note was Asante's Foreign Office based in Kumasi; despite its small size, it allowed the state to pursue complex negotiations with foreign powers. The Office was divided into departments to handle relations separately with
4136-499: The Ashanti Region (and the Kingdom of Asante) state political union with Ghana, the Asante remain largely influential. Asantes reside in Asante and Brong Ahafo Regions in Ghana. Kumase metropolis, the capital of Asante (Kingdom of Asante), has also been the historic capital of the Asante Kingdom. The Ashanti Region currently has a population of 11 million (11,000,000). Today, as in the past,
4230-456: The Ashanti Region continues to make significant contributions to Ghana's economy. Asante is richly endowed with industrial minerals and agricultural implements, Asante is responsible for much of Ghana's domestic food production and for the foreign exchange Ghana earns from cocoa, agricultural implements, gold, bauxite, manganese, various other industrial minerals, and timber. Kumase metropolis and Ashanti Region produces 96% of Ghana's exports. In
4324-535: The British left Cape Coast with an expeditionary force to start what is known as the Third Anglo-Ashanti War , see below . The Asantehene directed the Asante to not resist the British advance, as he feared reprisals from Britain if the expedition turned violent. Shortly thereafter, Governor William Maxwell arrived in Kumasi as well. Britain annexed the territories of the Asante and the Fanti and constituted
4418-561: The British permitted the repatriation of Asantehene Prempeh I – whom they had exiled to the Seychelles in 1896 – and allowed him to adopt the title Kumasehene, but not Asantehene. However, in 1935, the British finally granted the Asante self-rule sovereignty as Kingdom of Asante, and the Asante King title of Asantehene was revived. Asante culture celebrates Adae , Adae Kese , Akwasidae , Awukudae and Asante Yam festival . The Seperewa ,
4512-483: The English), Adinkra symbols on houses, Anansi stories and the dialect of Jamaican Patois being heavily influenced by Twi , can all be found on the island of Jamaica. White planter Edward Long , like other planters before him, described "Coromantees" the same way that the British in the Gold Coast would the "Asantes", which was to be "warlike". Edward Long states that others around "Asantes" and "Coromantees" feared them
4606-615: The Fante states dominated the trade with Europeans in Western Ghana while the Akwamu dominated trade with Europeans in Eastern Ghana . The Denkyira state dominated the neighboring states apart from the Fante, Akwamu and Akyem . The Kwaaman were subjects and tributary to Denkyira Kingdom until 1701 the unitary state came together with the help of Okomfo Anokye, the Ashanti defeated Denkyira at
4700-539: The Golden Stool was commanded down from the heavens by Okomfo Anokye, chief-priest or sage advisor to Asantehene Osei Tutu I and floated down from the heavens into the lap of Osei Tutu I. Okomfo Anokye declared the stool to be symbolic of the new Ashanti Union ( the Ashanti Kingdom ) and allegiance was sworn to the stool and to Osei Tutu as the Asantehene . The newly declared Ashanti union subsequently waged war against and defeated Denkyira. The stool remains sacred to
4794-480: The King. In the end, the King's Court is the sentencing court, for only the King can order the death penalty . Before the Council of Elders and the King's Court, the litigants orate comprehensively. Anyone present can cross-examine the defendant or the accuser, and if the proceedings do not lead to a verdict , a special witness is called to provide additional testimony . If there is only one witness, their sworn oath assures
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#17328453116854888-588: The Kumase metropolis' existence, a number of peculiar factors have combined to transform the Kumase metropolis into a financial centre and political capital. The main causal factors included the unquestioning loyalty to the Asante rulers and the Kumase metropolis' growing wealth, derived in part from the capital's lucrative domestic-trade in items such as gold, slaves, and bullion . In the Asante dialect of Twi, Asantefo ; singular masculine: Asantenibarima , singular feminine: Asantenibaa . The name Asante "warlike"
4982-703: The Seychelles mounted an offensive against the British Residents at the Kumasi Fort. The resistance was led by Asante queen Yaa Asantewaa , Queen-Mother of Ejisu. From March 28 to late September 1900, the Asante and British were engaged in what would become known as the War of the Golden Stool . In the end, the British were victorious; they exiled Asantewaa and other Asante leaders to the Seychelles to join Asante King Prempeh I. In January 1902, Britain finally designated
5076-577: The Supreme Judge of their jurisdiction, presiding over court cases. The Kotoko was a government council in the Asante government. Politically, the kotoko council served as the counterweight to the king's council of elders and basically embodied the aristocratic party in the government. The council formed the Legislature of Asante governmental system. It was made up of the Asantehene, the Queen mother as well as
5170-504: The advice and decisions of the Council of Elders. Kings of the Asante Empire who violated any of the oaths taken during his or her enstoolment, were destooled by Kingmakers. For instance, if a king punished citizens arbitrarily or was exposed as corrupt, he would be destooled. Destoolment entailed kingmakers removing the sandals of the king and bumping his buttocks on the ground three times. Once destooled from office, his sanctity and thus reverence were lost, as he could not exercise any of
5264-517: The ancestors, and are only secondarily harmful to the community . If the chief or King fails to punish such acts, he invokes the anger of the ancestors and the gods, and is therefore in danger of impeachment . The penalty for some crimes (sins) is death, but this is seldom imposed; a more common penalty is banishment or imprisonment . The King typically exacts or commutes all capital cases . These commuted sentences by King and chiefs sometimes occur by ransom or bribe ; they are regulated in such
5358-488: The betterment of the state. This elected and enstooled King enjoyed a great majestic ceremony with much spectacle and celebration. He reigned with much despotic power, including the ability to make judgments of life and death on his subjects. However, he did not enjoy absolute rule . Upon the stool, the King was sacred. He served as the holy intermediary between the people and the ancestors. His powers theoretically were more apparent than real and hinged on his attention to
5452-402: The borders. Because of the long history of mutual interaction between Asante and European powers, the Asante have the greatest amount of historiography in all of sub-Saharan Africa . In the 1920s the British catalogued Asante religion, familial, and legal systems in works such as R. S. Rattray 's Asante Law and Constitution . The Asante state strongly resisted attempts by Europeans , mainly
5546-419: The chiefs of other divisions considerably checked the power of the King. This in practical effect created a system of checks and balances. As the symbol of the nation, the Asantehene received significant deference ritually, for the context was religious in that he was a symbol of the people in the flesh: the living, dead or yet to be born. When the king committed an act not approved of by the counsel of elders or
5640-430: The court, for only the King may kill an Asante. In a murder trial , intent must be established. If the homicide is accidental, the murderer pays compensation to the lineage of the deceased. The insane cannot be executed because of the absence of responsible intent – except for murder or cursing the King; in the case of cursing the king, drunkenness is a valid defense. Capital crimes include murder, incest within
5734-427: The empire's military prowess , wealth , architecture, sophisticated hierarchy and culture , the Asante Empire has been extensively studied and has more historic records written by European, primarily British, authors than any other indigenous culture of sub-Saharan Africa . Starting in the late 17th century, the Asante king Osei Tutu ( c. 1695 – 1717) and his adviser Okomfo Anokye established
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#17328453116855828-530: The empire. The predominant fauna or food rich wildlife and animal species encountered in the Asante Empire were the hen , sheep , goat , duck , turkey , rabbit , guinea fowl , fish , and the porcupine which became the national emblem of the state, as well as about thirty multipurpose flora species of trees and shrubs and over thirty-five ornamental plants which beautified the environs of Asante. These tree/shrub-crop-animal (hen/fish) components were intensively integrated spatially and/or sequentially on
5922-500: The empire. Every metropolitan Asante state was headed by the Amanhene or paramount chief. Each of these paramount chiefs served as principal rulers of their own states, where they exerted executive, legislative and judicial powers. The Ohene is a male representative of his mother's family, where he is chosen from. The Ohene were divisional chiefs under the Amanhene. Their major function
6016-526: The empire. The council of elders undertook actions only after consulting a representative of the nmerante . Their views were taken seriously as they participated in decision-making in the empire. The current residence of the Asantehene is the Manhyia Palace built in 1925 by the British and presented to the Prempeh I as a present upon his return from exile. The original palace of the Asantehene in Kumasi
6110-417: The family. Though not considered as important as the mother , the male interaction continues in the place of birth after marriage. Historically, an Asante girl was betrothed with a golden ring called " petia " (I love you), if not in childhood, immediately after the puberty ceremony. They did not regard marriage " awade " as an important ritual event, but as a state that follows soon and normally after
6204-434: The female or male line, and intercourse with a menstruating woman, rape of a married woman, and adultery with any of the wives of a chief or the King. Assaults or insults of a chief or the court or the King also carried capital punishment . Cursing the King, calling down powers to harm the King, is considered an unspeakable act and carries the weight of death . One who invokes another to commit such an act must pay
6298-407: The forest belt of Southern Ghana and established several Akan states: Ashanti , Brong-Ahafo , Assin -Denkyira- Fante Confederacy - Mankessim Kingdom (present-day Central region ), Akyem - Akwamu - Akuapem - Kwahu (present-day Eastern region and Greater Accra ), and Ahanta - Aowin - Sefwi - Wassa (present-day Western region ). Asante had a flourishing trade with other African states due to
6392-440: The jewelry that the girls are adorned with signifies royalty, continuous life, and wealth. This is related to the matrilineal system of the Asante. The matrilineal system of the Asante culturally gives women a sense of authority, continuity, and the right to become a breadwinner and make money. This is displayed in the roles of adult women in society, obaapanin (female elder), and the ohemaa (queen) stool, which ranks higher than
6486-468: The major player in the gold trade. At the height of the Asante empire, the Asante people became wealthy through the trading of gold mined from their territory. Asante political organization was originally centred on clans headed by a paramount chief or O manhene . One particular clan, the Oyoko , settled in the Asante's sub-tropical forest region, establishing a centre at Kumasi . The Asante became tributaries of another Akan state, Denkyira but in
6580-447: The making and unmaking of war, and the distribution of land. Successful entrepreneurs who accumulated large wealth and men as well as distinguished themselves through heroic deeds were awarded social and political recognition by being called "Abirempon" or "Obirempon" which means big men. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries AD, the appellation "Abirempon" had formalized and politicized to embrace those who conducted trade from which
6674-477: The male counterpart. Fish In the bragoro rites, eating fish signifies the obtaining of wisdom and knowledge. Wisdom and Knowledge are seen as a keen part of womanhood for Asantes. In Asante royalty , the Asantehemaa (queen mother) is seen as the advisor of the Asantehene (king), full of wisdom and knowledge. This thought is carried through Asante culture and society to characterize the everyday woman, and convey
6768-405: The meaning of womanhood in Asante. In the bragoro puberty rites, girls' heads are shaved and dyed black. Every day during the rites, young girls in the community feed the chosen girls boiled eggs, fish, and eto . Alongside, the older women in the community, called mmerewa , teach the girls about marriage , motherhood , and morality . The merewa bathe the girls in a neighboring stream. Then,
6862-536: The mid-17th century the Oyoko under Chief Oti Akenten started consolidating the Asante clans into a loose confederation against the Denkyira. The introduction of the Golden Stool ( Sika dwa ) was a means of centralization under Osei Tutu. According to legend, a meeting of all the clan heads of each of the Asante settlements was called just prior to declaring independence from Denkyira. Those included members from Nsuta, Mampong, Dwaben, Bekwai and Kokofu. In this meeting
6956-487: The name Asante came to be. Realizing the weakness of a loose confederation of Akan states, Osei Tutu strengthened centralization of the surrounding Akan groups and expanded the powers judiciary system within the centralized government. Thus, this loose confederation of small city-states grew into a kingdom or empire looking to expand its land. Newly conquered areas had the option of joining the empire or becoming tributary states. Opoku Ware I , Osei Tutu's successor, extended
7050-582: The option of joining the empire or becoming tributary states. Opoku Ware I , Osei Tutu's successor, extended the borders, embracing much of Ghana's territory. European contact with the Asante on the Gulf of Guinea coast region of Africa began in the 15th century. This led to trade in gold , ivory , slaves , and other goods with the Portuguese . On May 15, 1817, the Englishman Thomas Bowdich entered Kumasi. He remained there for several months,
7144-407: The people, he could possibly be impeached , and demoted to a commoner. The existence of aristocratic organizations and the council of elders is evidence of an oligarchic tendency in Asante political life. Though older men tended to monopolize political power, Asante instituted an organization of young men, the nmerante , that tended to democratize and liberalize the political process in
7238-462: The powers he had as king; this includes Chief administrator, Judge, and Military Commander. The now previous king was dispossessed of the Stool, swords and other regalia which symbolized his office and authority. He also lost his position as custodian of the land. However, even if destooled from office, the king remained a member of the royal family from which he was elected. An impeachment occurred during
7332-420: The puberty ritual. The puberty rite was and is important as it signifies passage from childhood to adulthood in that chastity is encouraged before marriage. The Asante required that various goods be given by the boy's family to that of the girl, not as a 'bride price', but to signify an agreement between the two families. In the Asante culture, Womanhood is marked by Puberty rites termed " bragoro ." Bragoro
7426-505: The reign of Kusi Obodom , caused by a failed invasion of Dahomey . Okomfo Anokye was responsible for creating the Seventy-Seven Laws of Komfo Anokye which served as the codified constitution of the Ashanti Empire. The Asante state, in effect, was a theocracy . It invokes religious, rather than secular -legal postulates. What the modern state views as crimes , Ashanti view practically as sins . Antisocial acts disrespect
7520-460: The religion of Islamic North Africa within their talismanic tradition, making amulets with Quranic citations, name of the Arabic angels or Jinn . Amulets were also set in the corners of houses or soaked in water to produce liquids for drinking and for washing that were believed to have thaumaturgical properties. The Asante live in the Ashanti Region, specifically in the capital of Kumasi , and, due to
7614-404: The same land unit of individual Asante houses. Denkyira Denkyira or Denkyera was a powerful nation of Akan people that existed before the 1620s, in what is now modern-day Ghana . Like all Akans, they originated from Adanse Kingdom . Before 1620, Denkyira was called Agona . The ruler of the Denkyira was called Denkyirahene and the capital was Jukwaa . The first Denkyirahene
7708-454: The same way as they were feared in Jamaica and from the hinterlands of the Gold Coast. According to BioMed Central (BMC biology) in 2012, the average Jamaican has 60% of Asante matrilineal DNA and, today Asante is the only ethnic group by name known to contemporary Jamaicans. Famous Jamaican individuals such as: Marcus Garvey and his first wife, Amy Ashwood Garvey , are of Asante descent. It
7802-408: The state chiefs and their ministers. The election of Kings and the Asantehene ( King of Kings or emperor ) himself followed a pattern. The senior female of the kingly lineage nominated the eligible males. This senior female then consulted the elders, male and female, of that line. The final candidate is then selected. That nomination was sent to a council of elders, who represented other lineages in
7896-468: The truth is told. Moreover, that he favours or is hostile to either litigant is unthinkable. Cases with no witness, like sorcery or adultery are settled by ordeals, like drinking poison . Ancestor Veneration establishes the Asante moral system , and it provides the principal foundation for governmental sanctions. The link between mother and child centres the entire network, which includes ancestors and fellow men as well. Its judicial system emphasizes
7990-473: The whole state benefited. The state rewarded entrepreneurs who attained such accomplishments with Mena (elephant tail) which was the "heraldic badge" Obirempon s had a fair amount of legislative power in their regions, more than the local nobles of Dahomey but less than the regional governors of the Oyo Empire. In addition to handling the region's administrative and economic matters, the obirempon also acted as
8084-561: Was Mumunumfi . The capital was initially Jukwaa , but it was later moved to Abankeseso . The Denkyira state capital is now Dunkwa-on-Offin . Denkyira became powerful through gold production and trade with Europe. In the 1690s, wars took place between Denkyira and the Asen and Twifo-Heman . The goal of these struggles was to keep open the trade routes to the coast and trade with the Fante State and Europeans. The Denkyira state together with
8178-458: Was King of the division of Kumasi, the nation's capital, and the Asante Empire. He was elected in the same manner as all other chiefs. In this hierarchical structure, every chief or King swore fealty to the one above him—from village and subdivision, to division, to the chief of Kumasi, and finally the Asantehene swore fealty to the State . The elders circumscribed the power of the Asantehene , and
8272-557: Was built by Fanti masons many years ago. The rooms upstairs remind me of Wardour Street. Each was a perfect Old Curiosity Shop. Books in many languages, Bohemian glass, clocks, silver plate, old furniture, Persian rugs, Kidderminster carpets, pictures and engravings, numberless chests and coffers. A sword bearing the inscription From Queen Victoria to the King of Ashantee. A copy of the Times, 17 October 1843. With these were many specimens of Moorish and Ashanti handicraft." This institution assisted
8366-550: Was burned down by the British in 1874. From European accounts, the edifice was massive and ornately built. In 1819, English traveler and author, Thomas Edward Bowdich described the palace complex as ...an immense building of a variety of oblong courts and regular squares [with] entablatures exuberantly adorned with bold fan and trellis work of Egyptian character. They have a suite of rooms over them, with small windows of wooden lattice, of intricate but regular carved work, and some have frames cased with thin gold. The squares have
8460-532: Was covered with moist semi- deciduous forest whilst the Guinea savanna covered the northern part of the state. The Guinea Savanna consists of short deciduous and fire resistant trees. Riparian forests also occur along the Afram River and streams of the savanna zone. Soils in Asante were mainly of two types; forest ochrosols in the southern part of Asante whilst the savanna ochrosols were confined to northern part of
8554-525: Was enthroned on the sacred Golden Stool, the Sika 'dwa, an object that came to symbolise the very power of the King. Osei Kwadwo (r. 1764–1777) began the meritocratic system of appointing central officials according to their ability, rather than their birth. As King, the Asantehene held immense power in Asante, but did not enjoy absolute royal rule . He was obliged to share considerable legislative and executive powers with Asante's sophisticated bureaucracy. But
8648-464: Was impressed, and on his return to England wrote a book, Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee . His praise of the kingdom was disbelieved as it contradicted prevailing prejudices. Joseph Dupuis , the first British consul in Kumasi, arrived on March 23, 1820. Both Bowdich and Dupuis secured a treaty with the Asantehene, but the governor, Hope Smith, did not meet Ashanti expectations. From 1824 till 1899 there were five Anglo-Ashanti wars between
8742-452: Was the basic political unit in the empire. The family or lineage followed the village organization which was headed by the Odikro . All villages were then grouped together to form divisions headed by a divisional head called Ohene . The various divisions were politically grouped to form a state which was headed by an Omanhene or Amanhene . Finally, all Asante states formed the Asante Empire with
8836-438: Was to advise the Amanhene. The divisional chiefs were the highest order in various Asante state divisions. The divisions were made up of various villages put together. Examples of divisional chiefs included Krontihene, Nifahene, Benkumhene, Adontenhene and Kyidomhene. Each village in Asante had a chief called Odikro who was the owner of the village. The Odikro was responsible for the maintenance of law and order. He also served as
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