Misplaced Pages

Asantehemaa

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.

The Asantehemaa is the queen mother according to West African custom, who rules the Asante people alongside the Asantehene . African queen mothers generally play an important role in local government; they exercise both political and social power. Their power and influence have declined considerably since pre-colonial times , but still persist in the 21st century .

#717282

74-452: They have an important role in the Akan tradition which is based on matrilineal descent. In areas of Ghana where Akan culture is predominant, each town has a chief and a queen mother who rule alongside the modern political system. The Asantehemaa is linked to the traditional Akan system succession of patrilineal and matrilineal alternation . She may not necessarily be the mother of the heir or

148-830: A Kwa group living primarily in present-day Ghana and in parts of Ivory Coast and Togo in West Africa . The Akan speak languages within the Central Tano branch of the Potou–Tano subfamily of the Niger–Congo family . Subgroups of the Akan people include: the Agona , Akuapem , Akwamu , Akyem , Anyi , Ashanti , Baoulé , Bono , Chakosi , Fante , Kwahu , Sefwi , Wassa , Ahanta , and Nzema , among others. The Akan subgroups all have cultural attributes in common; most notably

222-658: A bachelor's degree or master's degree program. The Akan language is spoken as the predominant language in the Western, Central, Ashanti, Eastern, Brong Ahafo regions of the akan clan. A language with some Akan influence called Ndyuka is also spoken in South America (Suriname and French Guiana), with the Akan language coming to these South American and Caribbean places through the trans-Atlantic slave trade and Akan names and folktales are still used in these South American and Caribbean countries (another example can be seen in

296-470: A candidate for the stool to the kingmakers of the lineage. Once accepted their candidate rules till death. This means until all the Jaase have presented their candidates they have to wait their turn. Akan Kings of whatever rank have other nobleman who serve them as sub-chiefs. These sub-chiefs do not have hereditary titles and therefore do not have black stools. Besides, each King has a female co-ruler known as

370-460: A civil war in Ashanti. This implied the presence of civil disobedience in the early reign of Kusi Obodom. Kusi Obodom banned the practice of human sacrifice during his reign. Although sacrifices would continue in Ashanti after his era. The King restored the "full constitutional powers" of the chiefs which had been limited by the previous Asantehene, Opoku Ware I. In addition, Kusi introduced

444-746: A confederacy or an empire regardless of clan or abusua they belong to, while those outsides of the Akan people or the abusua were usually conquered or annexed via war or mutual agreement. For example, the Guan state of Larteh and the Akyem state of Akropong joined to form the Akwapim Kingdom to avoid the Akwamu, who the Guan deemed as oppressive. Under the State there are Divisions and under these Divisions are towns and villages. The Fantes also upon migrating from

518-644: A cross or an airplane. The Fante battle formations eventually had some European influences and many Asafo Frankaa (battle flags) incorporated the British Union Jack after 1844 when they allied with them. The battle formation has the Frontline, the West Flank, an East Flank, the main body and the Vanguard. There are, therefore, five divisional chiefs in each Paramountcy. These are followed in rank by

592-498: A different household. According to one source of information about the Akan, "A man is strongly related to his mother's brother (wɔfa) but only weakly related to his father's brother. This is perhaps viewed in the context of a polygamous society in which the mother/child bond is likely to be much stronger than the father/child bond. As a result, in inheritance, a man's nephew (his sister's son) (wɔfase) will have priority over his own son. Uncle-nephew relationships, therefore, assume

666-417: A dominant position." "The principles governing inheritance, generation, and age – that is to say, men come before women and seniors before juniors."... When a woman's brothers are available, a consideration of generational seniority stipulates that the line of brothers be exhausted before the right to inherit lineage property passes down to the next senior genealogical generation of sisters' sons. Finally, "it

740-724: A nobleman. He only has to be suitable for the position he is to occupy. Some sub-chieftaincy positions can be abolished at will. They include the heads of the ruling house or Mankrado, the Linquist, the Chief Kingmaker or Jaasehen/Gyaasehen, the Supi (Fante) or General of the Army, the Captains of the Army or Asafohen(Fante) among others. The way Akans ruled their nation fascinated the tribes and peoples of other West African nations and as

814-605: A planned attack by the other members of the alliance on Denkyira but Owusu Beri prevented this by attacking the allied camp first. After gaining victory, Owusu Beri signed a peace treaty with the Ashanti promising support for Ashant in an attack against the Wassa, Akyem and Twifo who formed the remaining members of the alliance. Around 1764, the Akyem sought aid from the Oyo Empire . Dahomey and Oyo assisted rebel forces such as Kwahu and Akyem to secede. In 1820, Joseph Dupuis

SECTION 10

#1732772361718

888-428: A spider, human, or a combination thereof. Elements of Akan culture also include, but are not limited to: These are the basic concepts of Akan philosophy and inheritance: Many but not all of the Akan still practice their traditional matrilineal customs, living in their traditional extended family households. The traditional Akan economic and political organization is based on matrilineal lineages , which are

962-536: Is inherited only by matrilineal kin. Each lineage controls the lineage land farmed by its members, functions together in the veneration of its ancestors, supervises marriages of its members, and settles internal disputes among its members. The political units above are likewise grouped (into traditionally seven) but as of today, eight larger groups called abusua : Aduana, Agona, Asakyiri, Asenie, Asona, Bretuo, Ekuona, and Oyoko. The members of each such abusua are united by their belief that they are all descended from

1036-746: Is ruled by the Oyoko Clan. However, the Bretuo or Twidanfo (in Fante), as well as other clans, rule States, Divisions, Towns, and Villages within the Kingdom. The Fante-speaking peoples usually have the Asona Clan ruling most of their States (like Mankessim). Certain sub-clans or lineages have exclusive rights to some stools within Akanland such as the lineage of Afia Kobi in the Oyoko Clan who alone sits on

1110-592: Is studied in major universities in North America and the United States, including Ohio University, Ohio State University, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Harvard University, Boston University, Indiana University, University of Michigan, and the University of Florida. The Akan language has been a regular language of study in the annual Summer Cooperative African Languages Institute (SCALI) program and

1184-586: Is when all possible male heirs have been exhausted that the females" may inherit. Certain other aspects of the Akan culture are determined patrilineally rather than matrilineally. There are ancestrally 12 patrilineal Ntoro (spirit) groups, and everyone belongs to his or her father's Ntoro group, but not to his family lineage and abusua . Each Ntoro group has its own surnames, taboos, ritual purifications, and forms of etiquette. A person thus inherits one's Ntoro from one's father but does not belong to his family. A recent (2001) book provides an update on

1258-608: The Akwamu in St. John , and Coffy , who was the leader of the 1763 Berbice slave uprising in Guyana. Fante war lord Chief Takyi also led a slave rebellion in Jamaica. The Akans consider themselves one nation. Akan means first, foremost, indicating the enlightened and civilized. While traditionally matrilineal, they are also united philosophically through 12 patrilineal spirit groups called

1332-854: The Anglo-Ashanti wars : the War of the Golden Stool and other similar battles. By the early 1900s, Ghana was a colony or protectorate of Great Britain, while the lands in the Ivory Coast were under the French. On 6 March 1957, following the decolonization from Great Britain under the leadership of Kwame Nkrumah , the Gold Coast was united with British Togoland and the Northern Region , Upper East Region , and Upper West Region of

1406-525: The Denkyira ). In Asante's case, as an Empire, the Asantehene reigned over the non-Oyoko clan city-states and ruled over the kings of those states as an Imperial head or Emperor (a hardly used but an equivalent term for Emperor or the king of kings ). Next there are divisional Chiefs, they are primarily arranged according to the five divisions of an Akan army. The Fante army or Asafo formation resembles

1480-513: The Ntoro . Within the Akan nation are branches based on many dialects, widest and possibly the oldest one being used is Twi as well as Fante. Each branch subsequently holds a collection of states and stemming from city-states. The state or Ɔman are typically ruled by several kings known as Amanhene ( Ɔmanhene , singular) or Ahemfo ( Ɔhene , singular. The state is the basic unit of Akan polity. Several states and city-states can band together to form

1554-513: The Oyo Empire supported the Akyem as well as other rebel subject states. Kusi Obodom's pursuit of the rebels brought Ashanti into conflict with Dahomey and Oyo through which the Ashanti army was defeated at the Battle of Atakpamé . Kusi Obodom's growing unpopularity, along with his failing health, led to his removal from office in 1764 and the election of Osei Kwadwo as Asantehene. He ruled during

SECTION 20

#1732772361718

1628-555: The Oyoko Abohyen dynasty. He was the grandnephew of Osei Kofi Tutu I , who had been king of Ashanti in 1701. Kusi Obodom's mother, Nkaatia Ntim Abamo, was the second Asantehemaa. Kusi Obodom became Asantehene after debate - and occasional violence - over the Golden Stool . He succeeded Opoku Ware I . Before the death Opoku Ware I, the Asantehene requested Darko as his successor. Upon the death of Asantehene Opoku Ware,

1702-503: The Oyoko clan . The revised chronology and the study of Dutch colonial archives has made it possible for the identification of Asantehemaa Akyaama , who was banished from the throne following a dynastic conflict, and further erased from oral tradition. Historian Thomas McCaskie's concluded that there was genealogical manipulation aimed at legitimizing children conceived out of wedlock, adopted children as well as dismissing and erasing

1776-640: The Queen-mother . The Queen-mother is more like a figurehead representing the King's or Emperor's eldest sister and hence the mother of the next King or Emperor, she could rule as a King if she wishes (e.g. queen-mothers mainly from the House of Asona clan: Nana Abena Boaa who ruled Offinso 1610–1640, Nana Afia Dokuaa who ruled Akyem Abuakwa 1817–1835, and Nana Yaa Asantewaa who ruled Edweso 1896–1900) as well as Komfo Muna who ruled Mankessim 1830–1872. They present

1850-495: The abusua framework presented above. Kusi Obodom Kusi Obodom was the 3rd Asantehene of the Ashanti Empire from 1750 to 1764. He was elected as the successor to Opoku Ware I as opposed to the nominee suggested by Opoku Ware I. Obodom's reign was inaugurated with a civil war in response to his election until stability ensued by 1751. Domestically, Obodom's administration instituted legal reforms such as

1924-712: The kingmakers ignored the request and elected Kusi Obodom instead. This plunged the state into civil war as reported by the Danes at the Coast in May 1750. By 1751, letters from the Christiansborg Castle stated that Darko had committed suicide with his followers and faction executed as Kusi Obodom was now affirmed as Asantehene. In March 1755, Governor Thomas Melvil reported from the Cape Coast Castle about

1998-530: The Akan language is regulated and administered by the Akan Orthography Committee (AOC). Some of Akan's language characteristic features include tone , vowel harmony , and nasalization . Akan culture is one of the traditional matrilineal cultures of Africa. Akan art is wide-ranging and renowned, especially for the tradition of crafting bronze gold weights, using the lost-wax casting method. The Akan culture reached South America,

2072-520: The Akan people are located, the Kings, Assistant Kings, Princes, and Noblemen of the Akans serve mostly a symbolic role. Modern politics has side-lined them in national politics although it is common to find that an elected or appointed official to be of Akan royalty. And, especially in the villages and poor areas, traditional Kings are still very important for organizing development, social services and keeping

2146-427: The Akan, stating that some families are changing from the above abusua structure to the nuclear family . Housing, childcare, education, daily work, and elder care, etc. are then handled by that individual family, rather than by the abusua or clan, especially in the city. The above taboo on marriage within one's abusua is sometimes ignored, but "clan membership" is still important, with many people still living in

2220-626: The Akans conquered or formed alliances with these nations, parts of it were transmitted to them. The British particularly felt the Akan system was highly efficient and tried to establish it throughout their dominions in West Africa using the Indirect Rule System. The Ewes and the Ga-Adangmes with their close affinity to the Akans have modified certain aspects of it to fit their societies. In Ghana and other modern states where

2294-465: The Caribbean, and North America. Some of their most important mythological stories are called anansesem , literally meaning "the spider story", but in a figurative sense also meaning "traveler's tales". These "spider stories" are sometimes also referred to as nyankomsem : "words of a sky god". The stories generally, but not always, revolve around Kwaku Ananse , a trickster spirit, often depicted as

Asantehemaa - Misplaced Pages Continue

2368-608: The Fante and Ashanti conflicts, resulting in a high number of military captives being sold into slavery. Coromantee ex-soldiers now slaves and other Akan captives were known for various slave revolts and plantation resistance tactics. Their legacy is evident within groups such as the Maroons of the Caribbean and South America. Some notable Akan descendants include the Coromantees sold from and around Anomabo (Fantelands) in Jamaica,

2442-501: The Fante to oppose the Ashanti. This alliance aimed to halt Ashanti expansion to the coast, to cement their status as middlemen in trade from the coast with the Inland and block Ashanti's direct access to European trade and firearms. The Fante initiated peacemaking efforts between the alliance and Ashanti starting in 1753. The British at the coast led by Governor Thomas Melvil aided Fante's efforts at mediation after request for support from

2516-512: The Fante. From 1754 - 1758, the Dutch also negotiated peace talks with Ashanti and the provinces. In 1758, the allied states met Asantehene Kusi Obodom at Kumasi to commence the mediation process while the Dutch served as mediators. Obodom considered replacing military representatives with civilian rule in these provincial states. 2000 oz of gold was paid to Ashanti by the members of the alliance. Kusi Obodom proposed four or five conditions during

2590-457: The Fante. The Fante - Ashanti trade was negatively affected by the blockade of the Ashanti from the coast and this was a factor for Fante advocacy for mediation. The Fante withdrew support for the alliance by 1758 and 1759. Around 1759 and 1760, the Fante and Ashanti formed an agreement to attack the members of the alliance. Within this period, Denkyira King Owusu Beri exited from the alliance and formed cooperative relations with Ashanti. This sparked

2664-500: The Gold Coast to form Ghana. Ivory Coast gained independence on 7 August 1960. Many people across the Americas can trace their lineage to the Akan people due to the trans-Atlantic slave trade. According to one estimate, roughly ten percent of all slave ships that embarked from the coast of West Africa contained Akan people. Although gold was the primary source of wealth in their economy, the capture and sale of Akan people peaked during

2738-541: The Golden Stool of Asante. The Akans are traditionally a Matrilineal people of the African continent. Matrilineal inheritance makes it easier to trace the line of succession. Within each lineage or House are the branches. The chief of a family is called an Abusuapanyin (or family-elder). Ranking above a family chief (a family's Abusuapanyin) is the clan's chief (or clan's Abusuapanyin). These branches are called Jaase/Gyaase or Kitchens. Each Kitchen takes its turn to present

2812-517: The Kings of the city and then the Kings of the town and then king of the suburbs. The Akan peoples mostly have seven Abusua (Matrilineal clans/tribes) in each state. They do not have the same names in each state but each has an equivalent clan (e.g. in Fante areas along the coast, the Asante clan of Oyoko is referred to as Dehyena or Yokofo). The clans are assigned States which they rule by their status as founders of that jurisdiction. The Ashanti Kingdom

2886-547: The Maroons of Jamaica and their influence with Akan culture and loanwords specifically from the Fante dialect of the Central Region of Ghana ) in the language of Jamaican Maroon Creole or Kromanti. With the present state of technology, one can listen to live radio broadcasts in Akan from numerous radio stations and receive mass media and public broadcasts in Akan from numerous multimedia and media broadcasting. Akan

2960-601: The National House of "Chiefs". Akan Kings who once warred with each other and Kings of other nations within Ghana now sit with them to build peace and advocate development for their nations. The identity of an Akan nation or meta-ethnicity is expressed by the term Akanman . The Akan word ɔman ( plural Aman ) which forms the second element in this expression has a meaning much of "community, town, nation, state". (A)man has been translated as "Akanland". Akan refers to

3034-479: The actions of the Asantehene. The role of the Asantehemaa is therefore major in the choice of a successor when the Ashanti Royal Throne becomes vacant. She carries out different rituals, event and religious ceremonies. This includes ancestral veneration and the execution of the various offerings and sacrifices. She also regulates community conflicts that involve women and can intervene in

Asantehemaa - Misplaced Pages Continue

3108-501: The advice of the Asantehemaa. She also takes care of domestic policy issues, such as the well-being of women and children or the management of conflicts between communities and chiefdoms. In addition, she holds a session with elders and linguists twice a week at the Kumasi Palace to resolve spiritual or cultural conflicts. Traditionally, the role of the Asantehemaa is to preserve Ashanti customs, rituals and identity In  Twi ,

3182-453: The attack on Kumasi by King Eibirimoro of Aowin in 1717 or 1718. She was one of the last royals who survived the sacking of Kumasi in the early 18th century by Ebrimoro, king of Aowin. Nketia was the daughter of Kyirama, sister of Osei Tutu I and she was the mother of  Kusi Obodom . The date of death of Nketia Ntim Abaom is uncertain because she was subject to the genealogical remodeling by Konadu Yaadom , in order to erase

3256-463: The basis of inheritance and succession. A lineage is defined as all those related by matrilineal descent from a particular ancestress. Several lineages are grouped into a political unit headed by a council of elders, each of whom is the elected head of a lineage – which itself may include multiple extended-family households. Public offices are, thus, vested in the lineage, as are land tenure and other lineage property. In other words, lineage property

3330-436: The candidate for consideration as King. An assistant king does not have a Queen-mother as his title is not hereditary. A Prince or Daakyehen(Fante)(lit Future-king ) is any of the members of the lineage eligible to sit on a stool. However, not all royals are Princes as some may be ineligible. A prince is not necessarily the son of a King but rather the former King's nephew on the mother's side. As such, royals strive to achieve

3404-665: The dynamics in the Gold Coast and the New World changed. Thus, the Akan people played a role in supplying Europeans with indentured servants, who were later enslaved by the Europeans for the trans-Atlantic slave trade . In 2006, Ghana apologized to the descendants of enslaved Africans for the role played in the slave trade. Akan people, especially the Ashanti people , fought against European colonialists and defeated them on several occasions to maintain autonomy. This occurred during

3478-488: The enslaved people along with guns to the Akan in exchange for Akan gold. Akan gold was also used to purchase enslaved people from further up north via the Trans-Saharan route. The Akan purchased enslaved people to help clear the dense forests within Ashanti . About a third of the population of many Akan states were indentured servants ( i.e. Non-Akan peoples). The Akan went from buyers of slaves to selling slaves as

3552-420: The event of domestic problems between a man and a woman. She represents the supreme authority for these matters. The Asantehemaa has her own palace and royal quarters near the  Manhyia Palace . She occupies the second highest level of the Ashanti hierarchy and has the power to depose the Asantehene. The dynastic list by modern historians does not follow that established by the representatives of

3626-425: The existence of Akyaama from the lineage. Thomas McCaskie proposed her death to have been in the 1740s. She was the daughter of Nketia Ntim Abamo. Akua married Owusu Afriyie, a son of Osei Tutu I, and probably ascended to the throne of Asantehemaa in the 1740s. Her son,  Osei Kwadwo , was therefore the nephew of Kusi Obodom and also grandson of Osei Tutu I. However, the genealogy surrounding Akua Afriyie

3700-492: The existence of people banished from the clan. Oral tradition states that Nyarko Kusi Amoah was Osei Kofi Tutu I 's niece and he appointed her as Queen Mother. She married four different nobles from chiefdoms who joined the Ashanti Empire . At the end of the fourth marriage, she gave birth to Opoku Ware I , the second Asantehene. She headed the House of Ohemma (women rulers), in Kumasi , which establishes

3774-478: The interior Takyiman conquered other Guan tribes including Efutu and Ewutu and merged them into Mfantseman Akan kings are ranked according to their jurisdiction. The head of an inter-clan Confederacy is usually considered a King, as in the Kings of Ashanti, Fante, Akyem and the Akwapim. Under these are the heads of the constituent states who equates an Emperor that only heads an Empire (e.g., Asante Empire and

SECTION 50

#1732772361718

3848-423: The king and the queen mother. The Asantehemaa is chosen by the Asantehene in the royal lineage, among the oldest women. It is therefore not systematically the king's mother or an heir. She is considered the royal genealogist and is responsible for determining the legitimacy of members of the royal lineage. The functions of the king and the queen mother are complementary. The Asantehene is the public leader, guided by

3922-433: The king in office. The Asantehemaa have symbols dedicated to their authority and the most significant is a throne carved and decorated with gold. Although there are also queen mothers within the chiefdoms and states internal to the Ashanti state, the title of Asantehemaa is only given to the queen mother designated to rule alongside the Asantehene. This forms a pyramidal political model whose two supreme functions are those of

3996-466: The language of the Akan ethnolinguistic group and the Akan language which was and is the most widely spoken and used indigenous language in the Akan peoples in Ghana. Each ethnic group having its own dialect Akan is officially recognized for literacy in the Akan-majority regions, at the primary and elementary educational stage (Primary 1–3) K–12 (education) level, and studied at university as

4070-512: The legal mandates for the annexation of Gyaman, and other states such as Kpembe ( Northern Region ), into the Ashanti Empire. From the early to mid 18th centuries, the Ashanti had engaged in expansionism under Opoku Ware. In the 1740s, the Ashanti had expanded across the majority of the coast of Ghana, excluding the Fante . Between 1746 and 1749, the provincial states of Akyem , Wassa , Denkyira and Twifo had formed an alliance with

4144-411: The negotiation process. For instance, he demanded the alliance halted antagonism against Ashanti southern provinces such as Kwahu and Sefwi . Parts of Akyem and Aowin had fallen under Ashanti protection. The King also demanded the alliance unblocked the roads leading to the coast. Negotiations broke down and the members of the alliance prepared for war against the Ashanti Empire with the exception of

4218-542: The origin of the Akan people is unknown, they don't reject the Sudanese origin and maintain that oral tradition must also be considered. The ancestors of the Akan eventually left for Kong (i.e. present day Ivory Coast). From Kong they moved to Wam and then to Dormaa, located in present-day Bono Region of Ghana. The movement from Kong was necessitated by the desire of the people to find suitable savannah conditions since they were not used to forest life. The state of Bonoman

4292-503: The peace. Some Kings have decided to push ahead with the leadership of their Kingdoms and States in a non-political fashion. The Asantehen and okyehen have emphasized Education and Environmental Sustainability respectively. Others push the national government and its agents to fulfill promises to their people. In modern Ghana, a quasi-legislative/judicial body known as the House of "Chiefs "(a colonial term to belittle African Kings because of

4366-601: The policy of atitodee , which was a fine paid by individuals charged with a death sentence. Reindorf states it was Kusi who formed the Akwanmofo to monitor the roads of the Ashanti Empire . He writes that the King "ordered inspectors to be appointed for cleaning roads and paths of the kingdom of nuisances." In 1751, King Kofi Sono of Gyaman concluded a peace settlement with Kusi Obodom's representatives with Dutch messengers from Elmina as witnesses. Wilks mentions that although these settlements do not survive, they were

4440-602: The position of a prince in their families or for their children. All Akan clans are considered royal in the context of their matrilineal society. Each clan, known as abusua , plays a significant role in inheritance, succession, and the selection of chiefs. The eight main Akan clans—Oyoko, Bretuo, Agona, Asona, Asenie, Aduana, Ekuona, and Asakyiri—are integral to the governance of their respective communities. Members of these clans are viewed as royals, as chiefs are traditionally chosen from them, reinforcing their royal status within Akan culture. A sub-chief does not, however, need to be

4514-652: The racist belief to not equate an African King with a European King in rank) has been established to oversee "chieftaincy" and the Government of Ghana as the British Government once did certifies the Chiefs and gazettes them. Several Akan Kings sit at the various levels of the National House of "Chiefs". Each Paramountcy has a Traditional Council, then there is the Regional House of "Chiefs" and lastly

SECTION 60

#1732772361718

4588-419: The rebels successfully but they escaped east past the Volta . Wilks adds that Kusi crossed the Volta in hunt of the rebels although this was against the advice of his councilors. In early 1764, the Ashanti and Dahomey forces fought an inconclusive battle. As the Ashanti army withdrew, it engaged in battle against Dahomey and Oyo but was forced to retreat with heavy casualties. Following the defeat, Kusi Obodom

4662-405: The restoration of the full constitutional powers of the chiefs that had been limited by his predecessor. In foreign policy, the Asantehene sought to subdue the alliance made up of rebel provincial states and other groups that halted Ashanti dominance towards the Coast . At the latter part of his reign, the alliance disintegrated and Ashanti was able to bring down its influence. In 1764, Dahomey and

4736-402: The rise the Empire of Ashanti (1700–1900). From the 15th century to the 19th century, the Akan people dominated gold mining and trading in the region; throughout this period they were among the most powerful groups in Africa. The Akan goldfields , according to Peter Bakewell, were the "highly auriferous area in the forest country between the Komoe and Volta rivers." The Akan goldfield

4810-442: The same ancient ancestress – so marriage between members of the same group (or abusua ) is forbidden, a taboo on marriage. One inherits or is a lifelong member of, the lineage, the political unit and the abusua of one's mother, regardless of one's gender or marriage. Members and their spouses thus belong to different abusuas , with mother and children living and working in one household, and their husband/father living and working in

4884-404: The structure and functions of the Queen Mother according to the tradition provided by the Oyoko clan. After the founding of the Ashanti Empire, she also obtained a black and silver stool. This seat comes from the previous Queen Mother of Oyoko and is integrated into the hierarchical restructuring carried out by Osei Tutu and Okomfo Anokye . Nyaako was killed during

4958-420: The term Asantehemaa means queen of the Asantes. It uses the characteristic particle Ohene and  hemaa  (queen). The queen mother translation is attributed to the anthropologist  Robert Sutherland Rattray . The Asantehemaa occupies a central position in the Ashanti political system since she regulates the legitimacy of successors and guarantees respect for customs and traditions in

5032-622: The tracing of royal matrilineal descent in the inheritance of property, and for succession to high political office. All Akans are considered royals in status, but not all are in royal succession or hold titles. Akan people are believed to have migrated from smaller kingdoms in the western Sudan region to their current location around the 11th century. Around 750 AD, these kingdoms grew into Awkar or Koumbi Saleh . 11th century Arab historian Al-Bakri wrote about this great kingdom based on accounts by Berber merchants, who often traded with these ancient Ghanaians. Because historians admit

5106-412: Was characterized by a succession of dynastic conflicts. Her son, Osei Kwame Panyin is notably reclassified as a child of Konadu Yaadom in order to exclude and erase Akyaama from the Oyoko lineage and oral tradition. Her fall resulted in the creation of a new throne for Asantehemaa Konadu Yaadom. Akan people The Akan ( / ˈ æ k æ n / ) people are

5180-427: Was established as early as the 12th century. Between the 12th and 13th centuries a gold boom in the area brought wealth to numerous Akans. During different phases of the state of Bonoman, groups of Akans migrated out of the area to create numerous states based predominantly on gold mining and trading of cash crops. This brought wealth to numerous Akan states such as the Akwamu Empire (1550–1650), and ultimately led to

5254-477: Was informed in Ashanti that, under Asantehene Kusi Obodom "the caboceers of Bouromy, Quahou and Akim were instigated to take up arms by the intrigues of the court of Dahomey whose monarch received them into pay, and promised to support them with an army for the restoration of their original government." According to scholar Fynn , Kusi engaged an attack on the Akyem and their allies after getting informed of an Oyo intervention. The deployed Ashanti army defeated

5328-481: Was likely rewritten by Konadu Yaadom in order to erase Akyaama's existence and extend Konadu Yaadom's rule and influence. During the reign of Kusi Obodom, Dutch reports speak in 1758 of Akyaama, as Asantehemaa, which means that Akua Afriyie no longer ruled as queen. Her reign came to an end around the 1750s. She reigned from the 1750s until her banishment in 1770. She was theoretically Asantehemaa but her banishment caused her dynastic erasure. Her reign

5402-591: Was one of three principal goldfields in the region, along with the Bambuk goldfield, and the Bure goldfield. This wealth in gold attracted European traders. Initially, the Europeans were Portuguese, soon joined by the Dutch and the British in their quest for Akan gold. The Akan waged war on neighboring states in their geographic area to capture people and sell them as slaves to Europeans (Portuguese) who subsequently sold

5476-489: Was removed out of office and he was succeeded by Asantehene Osei Kwadwo in 1764. The King grew unpopular by the latter part of his reign. Bantamahene Adu Gyamera, led a campaign to remove him out of office. The King abdicated willingly from the throne in 1764 after experiencing visual impairment . He was replaced by Osei Kwadwo as the new Asantehene. Kusi Obodom spent the rest of his life at Akyeramade near Kumasi where he died that year in 1764. After his death, his body

#717282