Okomfo Anokye
Okomfo Anokye | |
---|---|
Priest (Okomfo) of the Ashanti Empire | |
Born | c.1655 Awukugua |
Died | c.1717?/c.1719 (aged around 62-64) Ghana |
Okomfo Anokye (c.1655-c.1717?/c.1719) was the first priest (Okomfo) of the Ashanti Empire. Anokye is known for his participation in the expansion of the empire.[1] He was also the codifier of the constitution and laws of the Ashanti Empire.[2][3]
Biography
Origins and early life
Okomfo Anokye was born in Ghana around 1655. According to Akuapem tradition, he was son of Ano and Yaa Anubea,[1] both from Awukugua in the Nifa Division of the Okere state.[4] His name originated from the following incident:
It is said that when Okomfo Anokye was born in Awukugua he was already holding in his right hand a short white tail of a cow (Podua); and he had so firmly clenched the fist of the other hand that no one could open it. The woman who went to deliver the labouring mother tried to open it because she suspected there was something in it. The father was called in to assist... Okomfo Anokye opened his eyes and, staring at the father, quickly opened the mysterious hand, showing it to the father and saying "Ano....Kye" (Guan language) meaning "Ano...see" and gave to the father what was in it. It is alleged that it was a talisman. From this incident Kwame Agyei got his name "Anokye". Okomfo Anokye, his original name Kwame Anokye Frimpon Kotobre
— Amos Anti, "Akwamu, Denkyira, Akuapem, and Ashanti in the Lives of Osei Tutu and Okomfo Anokye" (1971)
During his birth in Awukugua, it is said he brought with him gifts from the gods; totem poles which were firmly clinched to his palms that no one could open it; and in the other hand already was a short, white tail of a cow (Podua).[1]
This claim was apparently later confirmed by Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II during his visit at Awukugua in 2014.[5] [4]
Founding of the Ashanti Empire
When
The Ashanti conquered large parts of Ghana during the 17th century by overthrowing their powerful overlords, the Denkyira. Okomfo Anokye was essentially a cleric who served to rally the people to the cause of his friend the king. Anokye is also said to have placed a dagger in the middle of the Ashanti region, which the Europeans have not been able to take out with any type of technology for over 500 years.[6][citation needed]
Unification of the Ashanti people
To throw off the Denkyira yoke required a powerful unity that transcended the particularism of the
Anokye and Tutu established rituals and customs of the Ashanti state to diminish the influence of local traditions. They designated Kumasi, the Ashanti capital. They then established a state council of the chiefs of the preexisting states admitted to the union and suppressed all competing traditions of origin. Finally, they reorganized the Ashanti army.
War with the Denkyira
The War with Denkyira (1699–1701) went badly at first, but when the Denkyira army reached the gates of Kumasi, Anokye's incantations supposedly produced defections among their generals. The Ashanti broke the Denkyira hegemony and captured the Dutch deed of rent for Elmina Castle. This gave the traders of the empire access to the African coast and involved them henceforth in the commerce and politics of the coastal slave trade.
According to legend, a
Death
After
References
- ^ a b c Gracia, Zindzy (2018-02-11). "Okomfo Anokye's History". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
- ISBN 9780415189057.
- ISBN 9780521894326.
- ^ a b A. A. Anti (1971). Akwamu, Denkyira, Akuapem, and Ashanti in the Lives of Osei Tutu and Okomfo Anokye. Ghana Publishing Corporation. pp. 8–10.
- ^ ""Otumfuo Osei Tutu Traces Asantemans Historical Link With Okomfo Anokye"". Retrieved September 4, 2018.
- ^ "The Sword That Can't Be Moved – Africa Dispatch". nyujournalismprojects.org. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ Naadi, Thomas (9 November 2023). "Komfo Anokye kola tree: Ghana outrage after 300-year-old tree felled". BBC News.
External links
- "The Great Prophet Okomfo Anokye", GhanaWeb, 31 October 2005.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20070820093438/http://www.info-ghana.com/ashanti_empire.htm
- "Asantes Of Ghana History". Asanteman Council Of North America ACONA -USA Canada
- http://www.doth.com/kwanzaa/africa/ghana/ghana.htm
- http://www.cosw.sc.edu/photogallery/ghana2001/pages/Okomfo%20Anokye%2023.htm
- "Osei Tutu (d. 1717)". Black History Pages.