Ashanti Empire
Ashanti Empire Asanteman ( Asante Twi ) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||
State union | |||||||||||||
Capital | Kumasi | ||||||||||||
Common languages | Ashanti (Twi) (official) | ||||||||||||
Religion | Initially Akan religion, later also Christianity | ||||||||||||
Government | Monarchy | ||||||||||||
• 1670–1717 (first) | Osei Tutu | ||||||||||||
• 1888–1896 (13th) | Prempeh I | ||||||||||||
• 1931–1957 (last) | Prempeh II | ||||||||||||
Osei Tutu II | |||||||||||||
Legislature | Asante Kotoko (Council of Kumasi) State union Present | | |||||||||||
Area | |||||||||||||
[3][4] | 259,000 km2 (100,000 sq mi) | ||||||||||||
Population | |||||||||||||
• [3] | 3,000,000 | ||||||||||||
Currency |
| ||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
Today part of | Ghana
Ivory Coast Togo |
The Asante Empire (
Starting in the late 17th century, the Ashanti king
The Ashanti Empire fought several wars with neighboring kingdoms and lesser organized groups such as the
Etymology and origins
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 the Asante's origin as a kingdom created to fight the Denkyira kingdom.[15]
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
Ashanti had a flourishing trade with other African states due to the Ashanti
History
Foundation
Ashanti political organization was originally centred on
The introduction of the
Independence
In the 1670s the head of the
Under Osei Tutu
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 the option of joining the empire or becoming tributary states.[25] Opoku Ware I, Osei Tutu's successor, extended the borders, embracing much of Ghana's territory.[23]
European contact
European contact with the Ashanti 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.[6] On May 15, 1817, the Englishman Thomas Bowdich entered Kumasi. He remained there for several months, was impressed, and on his return to England wrote a book, Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee.[26] 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.[27]
British relations
From 1824 till 1899 there were five
In December 1895, 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 Ashanti 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.[citation needed]
Britain
Uprisings of 1900 and since 1935
As a final measure of resistance, the remaining Asante court not exiled to 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 the Ashanti Kingdom as a protectorate. the Ashanti Kingdom was restored to self-rule on 31 January 1935. Asante King Prempeh II was restored in 1957, and the Ashanti Kingdom entered a state union with Ghana on independence from the United Kingdom.[citation needed]
Territorial history timeline
Government and politics
The Ashanti 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 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 Ashanti states formed the Ashanti Empire with the Asantehene as their king.[28]
The Ashanti government was built upon a sophisticated
Administration
Asantehene
At the top of Ashanti's power structure sat the
As King, the Asantehene held immense power in Ashanti, but did not enjoy absolute royal rule.[31][32] He was obliged to share considerable legislative and executive powers with Ashanti's sophisticated bureaucracy. But the Asantehene was the only person in Ashanti permitted to invoke the death sentence in cases of crime. During wartime, the King acted as Supreme Commander of the Ashanti 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 Ashanti) reigned over all and was King of the division of Kumasi, the nation's capital, and the Ashanti 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.[6]
The elders circumscribed the power of the Asantehene, and 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 the people, he could possibly be impeached, and demoted to a commoner.[citation needed]
The existence of
Residence
The current residence of the Asantehene is the
-
Odumata's Sleeping Room (1819).
-
Piazza in the Palace (1819).
-
Adum Street (1819).
Asanteman council
This institution assisted the Asantehene and served as an advisory body to the king. The council was made up of
Amanhene
The Ashanti Empire was made up of metropolitan and provincial states. The metropolitan states were made up of Ashanti citizens known as amanfo. The provincial states were other kingdoms absorbed into the empire. Every metropolitan Ashanti 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.[36]
Ohene
The Ohene were divisional chiefs under the Amanhene. Their major function was to advise the Amanhene. The divisional chiefs were the highest order in various Ashanti state divisions. The divisions were made up of various villages put together. Examples of divisional chiefs included Krontihene, Nifahene, Benkumhene, Adontenhene and Kyidomhene.[36]
Odikuro
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 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.[36][28]
Queen
The queen or Ohenemaa was an important figure in Ashanti political systems. She was the most powerful female in the Empire. 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.[36] Not only did she participate in the judicial and legislative processes, but also in the making and unmaking of war, and the distribution of land.[37]
Obirempon
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 the whole state benefited. The state rewarded entrepreneurs who attained such accomplishments with Mena (elephant tail) which was the "heraldic badge" [38] Obirempons 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 the Supreme Judge of their jurisdiction, presiding over court cases.
Kotoko council
The Kotoko was a government council in the Ashanti 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 Ashanti governmental system.[1] It was made up of the Asantehene, the Queen mother as well as the state chiefs and their ministers.
Elections
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 the town or district.[citation needed]
The Elders then presented the nomination to the assembled people. If the assembled
This elected and enstooled King enjoyed a great majestic
Impeachment
Kings of the Ashanti Empire who violated any of the oaths taken during his or her enstoolment, were destooled by Kingmakers.[40] 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 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.[40] An impeachment occurred during the reign of Kusi Obodom, caused by a failed invasion of Dahomey.[41]
Legal system
This section includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2013) |
Okomfo Anokye was responsible for creating the Seventy-Seven Laws of Komfo Anokye which served as the codified constitution of the Ashanti Empire.[44][45][46]
The Ashanti state, in effect, was a
Ashanti 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 the court, for only the King may kill an Ashanti.[citation needed]
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 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.[citation needed]
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 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.[citation needed]
Ordinarily, families or lineages settle disputes between individuals. Nevertheless, such disputes can be brought to
Geography
The Ashanti Empire was one of a series of states along the coast including Dahomey,
The predominant
Between 1700 and 1715, Osei Tutu I conquered the neighboring states of Twifo, Wassa and Aowin. Opoku Ware I who succeeded Osei Tutu, led the integration of Akan states such as Tekyiman, Akyem and Kwahu into Ashanti after embarking on wars of conquest between 1720 and 1750. After the conquest of the Akyem in 1742, the Ashanti exerted power unto the coast. From 1730 to 1770, the Ashanti Empire expanded north into the Savannah states of Gonja, Dagbon and Krakye.[47] By 1816, the Ashanti had absorbed coastal states such as the Fante Confederacy.[48][49] The expansion into Dagbon is refuted by some researchers such as A.A. Lliasu. Scholar Karl J. Haas argues that "claims of Asante dominance over Dagbon in the precolonial era have been greatly exagged."[50]
Economy
Resources
The lands within the Ashanti Kingdom were also rich in river-gold, cocoa and kola nuts, and the Ashanti were soon trading with the Portuguese at coastal fort Sao Jorge da Mina, later Elmina,and with the Hausa states.[6]
Agriculture
The Ashanti prepared the fields by burning before the onset of the rainy season and cultivated with an iron
The Ashanti transformed palm wine, maize and millet into beer, a favourite drink; and made use of the oil from palm for many culinary and domestic uses.[51][52]
Communication
The Ashanti invented the
The Ashanti readily heard and understood the phrases produced by these "talking drums". Standard phrases called for meetings of the chiefs or to arms, warned of danger, and broadcast announcements of the death of important figures. Some drums were used for proverbs and ceremonial presentations.[citation needed]
Although pre-literate, the Ashanti recruited literate individuals into its government to increase the efficiency of the state's diplomacy. Some written records were also kept.
Before the 19th century,
Demography
The population history of the Ashanti Kingdom was one of slow centralization. In the early 19th century the Asantehene used the annual tribute to set up a permanent standing army armed with
Architecture
The Ashanti traditional buildings are the only remnants of Ashanti architecture. Construction and design consisted of a timber framework filled up with clay and
Infrastructure
Infrastructure such as road transport and communication throughout the empire was maintained via a network of well-kept roads from the Ashanti mainland to the Niger river and other trade cities.[51][52] English visitors to Kumasi in the 19th century, noted the division of the capital into 77 wards with 27 main streets; one of which was 100 yards wide. Many houses especially those near the king's palace were two story buildings embodied with indoor plumbing in the form of toilets that were flushed with gallons of boiling water.[61] Bowdich revealed in his 1817 account that all streets of Kumasi were named.[62][63] Stationed at various points of Ashanti roads were the Nkwansrafo or road wardens who served as the highway police; checking the movement of traders and strangers on all roads. They were also responsible for scouting and were charged with the collection of tolls from traders.[64]
In the early 19th century larger rivers were either forded in the dry season or crossed by canoe or line-and-raft ferries. Smaller rivers were either waded, or were bridged by a tree trunk: in both cases a rope
ordered proper bridges to be built across streams in the metropolitan area of Kumase. Thomas Freeman described the construction as:Some stout, forked sticks or posts are driven in the centre of the stream at convenient distances, across which are placed some strong beams, fastened to the posts with withes, from the numerous climbing plants on every hand. On these bearers are placed long stout poles which are covered with earth from fourth to six inches thick....
— Freeman.[66]
Police and military
Police
The Asantehene inherited his position from his queen mother, and he was assisted at the capital, Kumasi, by a civil service of men talented in
Military
The Ashanti armies served the empire well, supporting its long period of expansion and subsequent resistance to European colonization.
Armament was primarily with firearms, but some historians hold that indigenous organization and leadership probably played a more crucial role in Ashanti successes.[69] These are, perhaps, more significant when considering that the Ashanti had numerous troops from conquered or incorporated peoples, and faced a number of revolts and rebellions from these peoples over its long history. The political genius of the symbolic "golden stool" and the fusing effect of a national army however, provided the unity needed to keep the empire viable. Total potential strength was some 80,000 to 200,000, making the Ashanti army bigger than the well known Zulu, and comparable to possibly Africa's largest – the legions of Ethiopia.[70] The Ashanti army was described as a fiercely organized one whose king could "bring 200,000 men into the field and whose warriors were evidently not cowed by Snider rifles and 7-pounder guns"[71]
While actual forces deployed in the field were less than potential strength, tens of thousands of soldiers were usually available to serve the needs of the empire. Mobilization depended on small cadres of regulars, who guided and directed levees and contingents called up from provincial governors.
Organization was structured around an advance guard, main body, rear guard and two right and left wing flanking elements. This provided flexibility in the forest country the Ashanti armies typically operated in. Horses were known to survive in Kumasi but because they could not survive in the tsetse fly-infested forest zone in the south, there was no cavalry. Ashanti high-ranking officers rode horses with the hauteur of European officers but they did not ride to battle.[72] The approach to the battlefield was typically via converging columns, and tactics included ambushes and extensive maneuvers on the wings. Unique among African armies, the Ashanti deployed medical units to support their fighters. This force was to expand the empire substantially and continually for over a century, and defeated the British in several encounters.[70]
Brass barrel blunderbuss were produced in some states in the Gold Coast including the Ashanti Empire around the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Various accounts indicate that Asante blacksmiths were not only able to repair firearms, but that barrels, locks and stocks were on occasion remade.[73]
Wars of the Asante
From 1806 until 1896, the Ashanti state was in a perpetual state of war involving expansion or defense of its domain. Ashanti exploits against other African forces made it the paramount power in the region. Its impressive performance against the British also earned it the respect of European powers.
Asante–Fante War
In 1806, the Ashanti pursued two rebel leaders through Fante territory to the coast. The British refusal to surrender the rebels led to an Ashanti attack. This was devastating enough that the British handed over a rebel; the other escaped.[74] In 1807 disputes with the Fante led to the Ashanti–Fante War, in which the Ashanti were victorious under Asantehene Osei Bonsu ("Bonsu, the whale").
Ga–Fante War
In the 1811 Ga–Fante War, a coalition of Asante and Ga fought against an alliance of Fante, Akwapim and Akim states. The Asante war machine was successful in defeating the alliance in open combat pushing their enemies towards the Akwapim hills. Ashanti however abandoned their campaign of pursuit after capturing a British fort and establishing their presence and authority on the coast.
Ashanti–Akim–Akwapim War
In 1814 the Ashanti launched an invasion of the Gold Coast, largely to gain access to European traders. In the Ashanti–Akim–Akwapim War, the empire faced the Akim–Akwapim alliance. After several battles, the out numbered Akim–Akwapim alliance were defeated and became tributories to the Ashantis. The Ashanti was established from the midlands down to the coast.
Anglo-Ashanti Wars
First Anglo-Ashanti War
The first of the Anglo-Ashanti wars occurred in 1823. In these conflicts, the Ashanti empire faced off, with varying degrees of success, against the British Empire residing on the coast. The root of the conflict traces back to 1823 when Sir Charles MacCarthy, resisting all overtures by the Ashanti to negotiate, led an invading force. The Ashanti defeated this, killed MacCarthy, took his head for a trophy and swept on to the coast. However, disease forced them back. The Ashanti were so successful in subsequent fighting that in 1826 they again moved on the coast. The Ashanti were stopped about 15 kilometres (10 mi) north of Accra by a British led force. They fought against superior numbers of British allied forces, including Denkyirans until the novelty of British rockets caused the Ashanti army to flee.[75] In 1831, a treaty led to 30 years of peace, with the Pra River accepted as the border.
Second Anglo-Ashanti War
With the exception of a few Ashanti light skirmishes across the Pra in 1853 and 1854, the peace between the Ashanti and British Empire had remained unbroken for over 30 years. Then, in 1863, a large Ashanti delegation crossed the river pursuing a fugitive, Kwesi Gyana. There was fighting, casualties on both sides, but the governor's request for troops from England was declined and sickness forced the withdrawal of his West Indian troops. The war ended in 1864 as a stalemate with both sides losing more men to sickness than any other factor.
Third Anglo-Ashanti War
In 1869 a European missionary family was taken to Kumasi. They were hospitably welcomed and were used as an excuse for war in 1873. Also, Britain took control of Ashanti land claimed by the Dutch. The Ashanti invaded the new British protectorate. General Wolseley and his famous Wolseley ring were sent against the Ashanti. This was a modern war, replete with press coverage (including by the renowned reporter Henry Morton Stanley) and printed precise military and medical instructions to the troops.[77] The British government refused appeals to interfere with British armaments manufacturers who were unrestrained in selling to both sides.[78]
All Ashanti attempts at negotiations were disregarded. Wolseley took 2,500 British troops and several thousand West Indian and African troops to Kumasi. It arrived in Kumasi in January 1896 along a route cleared by an advance contingent under the command of Robert Baden-Powell.[79][80] The capital was briefly occupied. The British were impressed by the size of the palace and the scope of its contents, including "rows of books in many languages."[81] The Ashanti had abandoned the capital after a bloody war. The British burned it.[82]
The British and their allies suffered considerable casualties in the war losing numerous soldiers and high ranking army officers.[83] but in the end the firepower was too much to overcome for the Ashanti. The Asantehene (the king of the Ashanti) signed a British treaty in July 1874 to end the war.
Fourth Anglo-Ashanti War
In 1895, the Ashanti turned down an unofficial offer to become a British protectorate.
The Ashanti wanting to keep French and European colonial forces out of the territory (and its gold), the British were anxious to conquer the Ashanti once and for all. Despite being in talks with the state about making it a British protectorate, Britain began the Fourth Anglo-Ashanti War in 1895 on the pretext of failure to pay the fines levied on the Ashanti monarch after the 1874 war. The British were victorious and the Ashanti was forced to sign a treaty.
Culture and society
Family
Standing among families was largely political. The royal family typically topped the hierarchy, followed by the families of the
Clothing
Prominent people wore silk. The ordinary Ashanti wore cotton whiles slaves dressed in black cloth. Garments signalled the rank of the wearer in society and its colour expressed different meanings. White was worn by ordinary people after winning a court case. Dark colours were worn for funerals or mourning.[86] Laws existed to restrict certain Kente designs to the nobility. Some cotton or silk patterns on the Kente were designed solely for the king and could only be worn with his permission.[86]
Education and children
Education in the Ashanti Kingdom was conducted by Asante and imported scholars and Ashanti people would often attend schools in Europe for their higher education.[citation needed]
Tolerant parents are typical among the Ashanti. Childhood is considered a happy time and children cannot be responsible for their actions. The child is not responsible for their actions until after
The Ashanti adored twins when they were born within the royal family because they were seen as a sign of impending fortune. Ordinarily, boy twins joined the army and twin girls potential wives of the King. If the twins are a boy and girl, no particular career awaits them. Women who bear triplets are greatly honored because three is regarded as a lucky number. Special rituals ensue for the third, sixth, and ninth child. The fifth child (unlucky five) can expect misfortune. Families with many children are well respected and barren women scoffed at.[citation needed]
Adinkra Symbols
The Ashanti used Adinkra symbols in their daily society. The symbols were used as a form of decoration, logos, arts, sculpture and pottery.
Menstruation and impurity
The Ashanti held
Menstruating women suffered numerous restrictions. The Ashanti viewed them as ritually unclean. They did not cook for men, nor did they eat any food cooked for a man. If a menstruating woman entered the ancestral stool (shrine) house, she was arrested, and the punishment could result in death. If this punishment is not exacted, the Ashanti believe, the ghost of the
Healthcare and death
Sickness and death were major events in the
People loathed being alone for long without someone available to perform this rite before the sick collapsed. The family dressed the deceased in their best clothes, and adorned them with packets of gold dust (money for the after-life), ornaments, and food for the journey "up the hill". The body was normally buried within 24 hours. Until that time the funeral party engage in dancing, drumming, shooting of guns, all accompanied by the wailing of relatives. This was done because the Ashanti typically believed that death was not something to be sad about, but rather a part of life. As the Ashanti believed in an after-life, families felt they would be reunited with their ancestors upon death. Funeral rites for the death of a king involved the whole kingdom and were a much more elaborate affair.[citation needed]
Ceremony
The greatest and most frequent
Slavery
Slavery was historically a tradition in the Ashanti Empire, with slaves typically taken as captives from enemies in warfare. The Ashanti Empire was the largest slaveowning and slave trading state in the territory of today's Ghana during the Atlantic slave trade.[87] The welfare of their slaves varied from being able to acquire wealth and intermarry with the master's family to being sacrificed in funeral ceremonies. The Ashanti believed that slaves would follow their masters into the afterlife. Slaves could sometimes own other slaves, and could also request a new master if the slave believed he or she was being severely mistreated.[88][89]
The modern-day Ashanti claim that slaves were seldom abused,[90] and that a person who abused a slave was held in high contempt by society. They defend the "humanity" of Ashanti slavery by noting that those slaves were allowed to marry.[24] If a master found a female slave desirable, he might marry her. He preferred such an arrangement to that of a free woman in a conventional marriage, because marriage to an enslaved woman allowed the children to inherit some of the father's property and status[91] This favoured arrangement occurred primarily because of what some men considered their conflict with the matrilineal system. Under this kinship system, children were considered born into the mother's clan and took their status from her family.[citation needed] Generally her eldest brother served as mentor to her children, particularly for the boys. She was protected by her family.[citation needed] Some Ashanti men felt more comfortable taking a slave girl or pawn wife in marriage, as she would have no abusua (older male grandfather, father, uncle or brother) to intercede on her behalf when the couple argued. With an enslaved wife, the master and husband had total control of their children, as she had no kin in the community.[citation needed]
In popular culture
The Ashanti Empire has been depicted in a number of different works of nonfiction, detailing the structure of the empire
Literature and theatre
- The novel The Two Hearts of Kwasi Boachi(1997)[92] is based on the memoirs of Kwasi Boachi, the son of the Asantehene Kwaku Dua I, from when he and his cousin Kwame Poku were sent to the Netherlands in 1837 to receive a European education.
- It was later adapted into an opera in 2007 by the author Arthur Japin and composer Jonathan Dove[93]
- The 2006 novel Copper Sun's protagonist Amari comes from the Ashanti Empire.
Literature
- The singer Ashanti was named after the Ashanti empire. This is because women had power and influence there, and her mother wanted her to follow that model.[94]
Television
- The Ashanti Empire is referenced in the Static Shock episodes "Static in Africa" and "Out of Africa", where Static and his family visit Ghana.
Video games
The Ashanti Empire has been depicted in some historical war strategy video games, along with being characters in video games with origins from the area
- In the grand strategy video games Europa Universalis IV (2013) and Victoria 3 (2022), both developed by Paradox Interactive, the Ashanti Empire appears as one of many historical nations that players can play as or interact with.
- In Crusader Kings III, the Ashanti Empire is one of the many nations that players can play or interact as.
- In Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, two characters, Kumi Berko, a pirate playable in the multiplayer mode under the pseudonym "The Mercenary", and Antó, a Master Assassin of the West Indies Brotherhood, were both born in the Ashanti Empire.
- The Ashanti Empire appears as a playable minor civilization in Age of Empires III.
See also
- African military systems (1800–1900)
- African military systems after 1900
- African military systems to 1800
- Akyempimhene
- Anglo-Ashanti wars
- Ashantis
- History of Ghana
- List of rulers of Asante
References
- ^ a b Edgerton, Robert B. Fall of the Asante Empire: The Hundred Year War for Africa's Gold Coast. Free Press, 1995.
- ^ a b Ashanti Order in Council 1901.
- ^ ISBN 978-90-04-10631-4.
An empire of a hundred thousand square miles, occupied by about three million people from different ethnic groups, made it imperative for the Asante to evolve sophisticated statal and parastatal institutions [...]
- ISBN 9780521484220.
- ^ S2CID 145522016.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Osei Tutu | king of Asante empire". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
- ISBN 978-1-317-88265-7.
- ISBN 9780521455992.
- ^ a b c Collins and Burns (2007), p. 140.
- ^ McCaskie (2003), p. 2.
- ^ "Asante Kingdom". Irie Magazine. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
- ISBN 978-0-241-00328-2.
- ISBN 978-0691134673.
- ^ a b c Collins and Burns (2007), p. 139.
- ^ "Asante – The People Of A Wealthy Gold-Rich Empire – BlackFaces". Retrieved 2020-05-30.
- ISBN 978-1-78204-572-4.
- ^ [1], BlackPast.
- ^ [2], PBS.
- ^ Kings And Queens Of Asante Archived 2012-10-30 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Ashanti.com.au Archived 2012-04-13 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Ghana - THE PRECOLONIAL PERIOD". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- ^ Alan Lloyd, The Drums of Kumasi, London: Panther, 1964, pp. 21–24.
- ^ a b Shillington, Kevin, History of Africa, New York: St. Martin's, 1995 (1989), p. 194.
- ^ a b History of the Ashanti Empire. Archived 2012-04-13 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Gilbert, Erik, Africa in World History: From Prehistory to the Present, 2004.
- ^ Bowdich, Thomas Edward (2019). Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee, with a statistical account of that kingdom, and geographical notices of other parts of the interior of Africa. London: J. Murray. Archived from the original on 2016-03-25. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
- ^ Lloyd, pp. 28–38.
- ^ a b c Gadzekpo (2005), p. 91–92.
- ^ Chioma, Unini (2020-03-15). "Historical Reminisciences: Great Empires Of Yore (Part 15) By Mike Ozekhome, SAN". TheNigeriaLawyer. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
- ^ Shillington, p. 195.
- S2CID 159479224.
- S2CID 143436033.
- ^ S2CID 191603652.
- ^ The Monthly Review, Or, Literary Journal. 1819. p. 291.
- ^ Wilks 1989, p. 201
- ^ ISBN 9789988159306. Retrieved 2020-12-16 – via Books.google.com.
- ^ Arhin, Kwame, "The Political and Military Roles of Akan Women", in Christine Oppong (ed.), Female and Male in West Africa, London: Allen and Unwin, 1983.
- ISBN 978-90-04-10631-4.
- ISBN 9781400867028.
- ^ ISBN 978-90-04-10631-4.
- ^ Pescheux 2003, p. 449.
- ^ Wilks (1989), p. 377.
- ^ a b Wilks (1989), p. 206.
- S2CID 145530470.
- ISBN 9789027979049.
- ISBN 9004083553.
- ^ Gocking (2005), p. 21-23.
- OCLC 5545091926. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
- ^ Gocking (2005), p. 30.
- JSTOR 44723447.
- ^ a b c d e f Davidson (1991), p. 240.
- ^ a b c Collins & Burns (2007), pp. 140–141.
- ^ Edgerton (2010), p. 35.
- ^ JSTOR 179951.
- ^ Wilks (1989), p. 344.
- ^ Wilks (1989), p. 40.
- ^ Wilks (1989), p. 41.
- ^ "Asante Traditional Buildings". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
- ISSN 2000-4214.
- ^ "Ghana Museums & Monuments Board". www.ghanamuseums.org. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
- ^ Edgerton (2010), p. 26.
- ^ Wilks (1989), p. 376–377.
- JSTOR 41406712.
- ^ Wilks 1989, p. 48–;55
- ^ Wilks 1989, p. 38
- ^ Wilks 1989, p. 38
- ^ Edgerton (2010), p. 29–30.
- ^ Davidson (1991), p. 242.
- ^ Vandervort, Bruce, Wars of Imperial Conquest in Africa: 1830–1914, Indiana University Press, 1998, pp. 16–37.
- ^ a b Vandervort (1998).
- ^ "News.google.com: The Newfoundlander - Dec 16, 1873". Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- ^ Edgerton (2010), p. 56.
- S2CID 163027192.
- ^ Lloyd, pp. 24–27.
- ^ Lloyd, pp. 39–53.
- ^ Anglo-Ashanti wars
- ^ Lloyd, pp. 88–102.
- ^ Lloyd, p. 96.
- ^ The Downfall of Prepmeh by Robert Baden-Powell, 1896, the American edition is available for download at http://www.thedump.scoutscan.com/dumpinventorybp.php Archived 2016-10-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ As an aside, Prempeh was banished to the Seychelles. Years later, B-P founded the Boy Scouts, and Prempeh became Chief Scout of Ashanti.
- ^ Lloyd, pp. 172–74.
- ^ Lloyd, p. 175.
- ^ "The Daily Advertiser - Google News Archive Search". Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- ^ Gadzekpo (2005), p. 75.
- ^ Edgerton (2010), p. 40.
- ^ a b Edgerton (2010), pp. 41–42.
- ISBN 9789988550325.
- ^ Alfred Burdon Ellis, The Tshi-speaking peoples of the Gold Coast of West Africa Archived 2016-06-10 at the Wayback Machine, 1887. p. 290
- ^ Rodriguez, Junius P. The Historical Encyclopedia of World Slavery, Volume 1, 1997. p. 53.
- ^ Johann Gottlieb Christaller, Ashanti Proverbs: (the primitive ethics of a savage people), 1916, pp. 119–20.
- ^ "Marraige [sic] and Divorce-T.E Kyei". Centre of African Studies. 5 September 2013.
- ^ Mendelsohn, Daniel (27 November 2000). "Telltale Hearts - Nymag". New York Magazine. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
- ^ "Kwasi & Kwame". Jonathan Dove. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
- ^ Company, Johnson Publishing (2002-07-01). Jet. Johnson Publishing Company.
Bibliography
- ISBN 9780865431232
- Collins, Robert O.; Burns, James M. (2007). A History of Sub-Saharan Africa. ISBN 9780521867467.
- Edgerton, Robert B. (2010). The Fall of the Asante Empire: The Hundred-Year War For Africa's Gold Coast. ISBN 9781451603736.
- Gocking, Roger (2005). The History of Ghana. Westport, Connecticut: ISBN 0-313-31894-8.
- ISBN 9780521379946. Retrieved 2020-12-29 – via Books.google.com.
- Shillington, Kevin, 1995 (1989), History of Africa, New York: St. Martin's Press.
- Lloyd, Alan (1964). The Drums of Kumasi: the story of the Ashanti wars. London: Longmans. OL 5937815M.
- Pescheux, Gérard (2003). Le royaume asante (Ghana): parenté, pouvoir, histoire, XVIIe–XXe siècles. Paris: KARTHALA Editions. p. 582. ISBN 2-84586-422-1.
- Gadzekpo, Seth K. (2005). History of Ghana: Since Pre-history. Excellent Pub. and Print. ISBN 9988070810. Retrieved 2020-12-27 – via Books.google.com.
- McCaskie, T. C. (2003). State and Society in Pre-colonial Asante. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521894326.
External links
- the Ashanti Kingdom Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia
- UC San Diego - Asante Language Program - Directed Study
- BBC News | Africa | Funeral rites for Ashanti king
- "Osei Tutu", Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
- Asante Catholicism at Googlebooks
- Ashanti Page at the Ethnographic Atlas, maintained at Centre for Social Anthropology and Computing, University of Kent, Canterbury
- Ashanti Kingdom at the Wonders of the African World, at PBS
- Ashanti Culture contains a selected list of Internet sources on the topic, especially sites that serve as comprehensive lists or gateways
- The Story of Africa: Asante — BBC World Service
- Web dossier about the Asante Kingdom: African Studies Centre, Leiden
- "Asante empire", Encyclopædia Britannica.