Asante History (original) (raw)

**By Dr. Agyenim Boateng ( Assistant Attorney General , State of Kentucy )

A critic may ask, "Why must I study Asante history?" In response, there are a dozen reasons but for our instant purpose a few will suffice. One simple reason is due to the profusion of literature on the subject matter in universities, archives and public libraries in the United States and other parts of the world.

Among others, the pre independence history of Ghana (Gold Coast) 1695-1900 was dominated by the history of Asante's hegemony and the attempts by Britain to subdue its military prowess. Asante contributions to Africa and the world in the area of art, literature and culture such as Kente, gold-weights and Kweku Ananse folklore and the Adinkra symbols are so invaluable that they should be studied and preserved by all of us regardless of race, nationality or ethnicity. Epistemologically speaking, one may ask as to why one must study Russian, American, English or history?

The understanding of such comparative historic processes help one not only to know of his glorious past but also gives one the psychological stimuli to develop as a full person and become better citizens where ever one may reside. Against this backdrop, here is a bird's eye view of he history of Asante, its impact on the development of Asante personality and Ghana as a whole.

The Asantes of Ghana speak Asante, a dialect of the Twi language, and they belong to the Akan who make up about two thirds of the population of Ghana's of 18 million people. "Ashanti"- the anglicized version of Asante or Asantefuo is sometimes used to refer to the land or people who originally migrated from the north-western part of the Niger River in West Africa after the fall of the old Ghana Empire in 14 A.D. The immigrants settled in the central part of modern day Ghana and built between the 16th and 18th centuries, and built a powerful kingdom.

The emergence of the Asante kingdom was a tribute to two men, Opemsuo Osei Tutu 1(1695-1731) and his mystic friend and sage, Okomfo Anokye, whose vision, remarkable prowess and geniuses founded a kingdom that rivaled the territorial borders of the old Ghana empire.The legend has it that in order to win their independence from Denkyira, then a powerful state, Osei Tutu (then Kumasihene) and his friend, Okomfo Anokye called a meeting of all the clan heads of each of the Asante settlements to Kumasi. These settlements included Juaben, Nsuta, Mampong, Bekwai, Kokofu and Esumeja.

During the meeting Okomfo Anokye commanded a Golden Stool (Asikadwa) Kofi) from the heavens, which landed on the laps of Osei Tutu. Okomfo Anokye declared the stool to be symbol of the new Asante union (Asanteman)in unity and spirit (sunsum). Each chief then swore allegiance to the Golden Stool and to Osei Tutu as the Asantehene (King of Asante), by holding a golden sword to the Golden Stool. Subsequently the new Asante union proceeded to inflict a terrible defeat on Denkyira, the enemy state. According to etymologist, Asante is a derivation of "Osa -nti) or warlike. The primary purpose of the Asante union was to fight against the rule and domination of the King of Denkyira.

Asante kingdom ranks among the few monarchical states in the world, with a long and sustained system of governance. There have been 16 kings since its formation, from Opemsuo Nana Osei Tutu 1(1695-1731) to our present king Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11(2000). Even though history gives all the credit for the founding of Asante Nation or Kingdom to King Osei Tutu I,the real empire builder was Katakyie Opoku Ware 1(1731-1742). He prevented the break up of the union after the debacle of the Asante army at River Pra in Akyem. As the successor of Nana Osei Tutu, Otumfuo Opoku Ware I, among his many accomplishments, was his institution of the Great Oath (Ntamkesie Miensa, Kromantse, ne Memenda) into Asante jurisprudence.

The oath is solemnly invoked to mark the defeat and death of Nana Ose Tutu at Kromantse near Pra River during the war against Akyem. At the time of Opoku Ware I's death in 1742 the Asante empire extended to the kingdoms of Fante, Akyem Akuapem, Aowin, Denkyira, Sefwi, Wassa, Assin Gonja, Ga-Adangbe, Kwawu, Bono, Ahafo and parts of Togo.Other artistic contribution of Otumfuo Opoku Ware was the introduction of the famous Asante traditional ballet-like dance Adowa and music.

Between 1750 and 1814 the inaction of some of the Asante kings diminished some of the territorial holdings of the empire. This was due in part to the residents administration, who also happened to be the same defeated kings, neglect in administering those possessions and those, partly due to successful rebellions, sometimes promoted by British intrigue, in some of those states which waged war against Asante rule.

The cumulative effect of Asante's hegemony, or insurance against the threat of Asante domination in the coastal regions of Ghana was the signing of a treaty, the "Bond of 1844" between the British and most of the coastal chiefs whereby their lands were ceded to the British crown, and their people brought under British protection for 100 years. It took nine wars and a period of 80 years (1823-901) before the British could subdue the Asante militarily.

In 1895 the Asantes were overwhelmed by a better trained military, most of them brought all the way from West Indies and Hausaland (Northern Nigeria), and equipped with better and superior fire power such as cannons and rockets. Asantehene Nana Agyeman Prempeh 1(1822-1932), seeing the imminent defeat of the Asante army with the resulting possibility of the capture of the Golden Stool, surrendered himself and was exiled to the Seychelles Island with a retinue of other chiefs, and later, the legendary woman Yaa Asantewaa, Queen mother of Ejisu. Notwithstanding, the British Governor Hodgson, on a visit to Kumasi in 1900 demanded to sit on the Golden Stool as an honor to Queen Victoria. Incensed that such gesture would be sacrilegious to the Stool, Asantefuo, led by Yaa Asantewaa, Queen mother of Ejisu led an insurrection against the British

in consequence of which Kumasi was burnt to the ground. Asante lost its military power and political sovereignty and became a British protectorate. The war of 1900, however gave Asantes time to make a clone of the Golden Stool which was taken by the British after the war instead of the original Golden Stool.

In 1902 Asante was divided into four administrative districts: Mampong- Kumasi, Ashanti-Akim, Bekwai, Sunyani and Wenchi. Each district managed its own affairs and was headed by a District Commissioner which in turn reported to the Regional Commissioner in Kumasi. Twenty eight years after the exile of Nana Agyeman Prempeh

I, the British allowed him to return as Kumaishene. However, in 1938, the Asante Sante Union was restored and Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Premph 11(1932-1970) was recognized as the Asantehene. In 1945 Asante became formally part of the Gold Coast colony and elected its first two representative to the Colony's Legislative Council in 1946.

In 1957 Gold Coast achieved independence form Britain and became Ghana. The North-western part of Asante, Wenchi, Sunyani and part of Kumasi district were carved out to be the Brong-Aahafo region of Ghana in 1960. In spite of the Ghana's post independence tumultuous history, Asantefuo as Ghanians, are playing their part as members of �pluralistic society" in the socio-economic development of their country. Asantes can be found everywhere in Ghana as civil servants, merchants, businessmen and women civil servants, bankers, lawyers, engineers, physicians, etc.

The term Asante transcends geographic expression. It connotes a state of mind of people who cherish their glorious part and culture and look forward to the future with optimism. In the words of one perceptive foreign writer: "What the Ashanti have left today are the basic things that have enabled them to survive and to call themselves as great people - now numbering over 2 million strong. They have their won language and literature, their religion and local government. They are still hard working, independent farmers, craftsmen and traders. To such people the future is bound to be kind".

Attractions & Excursions In The Ashanti Region
Kumasi and the Asante heritage;Kumasi is the capital of the Asante kingdom and the local highlights are:
� Manhyia Palace Museum
� Centre for National Culture
� The Prempeh II Jubilee Museum
� Kumasi Fort and Military Museum
� Okomto Anokye Sword
� The Akwasidae Ceremony
� Kejetia Market
� Kumasi Zoo
� Traditional Street Sculptures
� University of Science and Technology

The Crafts of the Asante
The craft villages surrounding Kumasi include:
� Bonwire - 18km NE of Kumasi - Kente weaving
� Pankronu - 3km N of Kumasi - pottery
� Ahwiaa - 6 km N of Kumasi - wood carvings
� Ntonsu - Adinkra cloth making
� Asuofia/Asamang - Barakese Road - Breadmaking
� Ampabame Krofrom - 10km from Ahodwo - Brass Smiths
Goldsmiths and Silversmiths can be seen in Kumasi.

The National Attractions ofAshanti
The Ashanti Region is a great area in which to explore unspoilt national attractions. For birds and butterflies the forests are the place to go, while wildlife can be spotted around the lakes and in the nature reserves. The following locations are great for trekking, or just rewarding forest walks:
� Lake Bosomtwe - 35km 5 of Kumasi
� Bobiri Forest Reserve - 35km SE of Kumasi
� Owabi Bird Sanctuary - 23km NW of Kumasi
� Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary - 50km from Kumasi
� Digya National Park - From Kumawu to Atebubu
� Atwia Rock Formations - 40km from Kumasi
� Mframabuom Caves - Kwamang, 55km from Kumasi

Obuasi Gold Mines
For details of visits to the Ashanti gold Mine - available on Tuesdays and Thursdays - contact the P.R. Manager on 0582-194).

The Cultural Attractions of the Asante
The traditional culture of the people is one of the attractions of the Ashanti Region. Important illustrations can be discovered at:
� Asantemanso Village
� KumawuTown
� Kentinkronu Shrine
� Adarko Jachie Shrine
� Ejisu Besease Shrine
� Statues of Kumasi
� Patakro Shrine
� Atuokosua Shrine