The Ashanti Empire (also known as the Asante Empire) is remembered as one of the most powerful African monarchies of all time which ruled over the majority of what is known as modern day Ghana and the Golden Coast from the late 17th to the early 20th century (Stock 9). The Ashanti gained the reputation of a resilient sovereignty as a result of their revolutionary beginnings conquering the mighty Denkyira Kingdom and their historical intransigence against British colonization attempts (McCaskie 2-3). Before their conflict with Britain began in the 1820s, the Ashanti thrived off of the West African Slave trade by selling slaves from conquered tribes to european nations in exchange for firearms. Thus, the Asante were able to spread their jurisdiction throughout West Africa accumulating other tribes including the Fante who ruled key territories (see Figure 1 for reference) .…
In fascination by the beauty displayed by the spider’s web, the two decided to reproduce a similar design with their own resources at home. While experimenting with their own available supplies, the huntsmen wove a cloth using black and white fibres from a raffia tree. Once completed, they presented the cloth to the Ashanti Kingdom King or Asantehene, Nana Osei Tutu who reigned from 1701 to 1717. Pleased with their creation he rewarded Amoaya and Kraban with the position of the King’s royal…
She felt heartbroken and didn’t know why the Ashanti people did that. “One moment they were leaping over a fallen log, and the next moment she heard Kwasi moan softly, then his hand slipped slowly from hers. A spear had sliced through his whole little body”. The reason Amari felt sad was because her little brother died in her hands. After they killed Kwasi she didn’t care about anything, so she lost hope.“The following night Amari was taken by two sailors. They took turns. She wanted…
gender equality is simplistic. An array of sociological factors regulate ndividuals’ position in a given community and lineage is only one. However because of the link between inheritance and genealogy, it is safe to infer that the position of women in patrilineal and matrilineal societies are bound to somewhat differ. Moreover, I remain convinced that holding women as exclusive holders of group membership has ramifications beyond kinship determination. As to say that if it is more enviable to…
In West Africa once known as the Gold Coast, high-ranking officials within the courts of Akan chiefs carry the gold-covered staffs like this one. The Akan peoples place an enormous emphasis on speech; they are a society that originally had no written tradition. Like most kingdoms spoken word, in the form of stories, is the repository of Akan custom and values, and a complete of proverbial lore, combined with an insightful way of describing it. The staff is considered the mark of intellect of…
I will investigate the distribution of power through a gendered lens among the Bribris of Costa-Rica, the Ashantis of Ghana and the Minangkabaus of Indonesia. I will immerse myself into each community to assess the ramifications of matrilineality in the social, political, economic and spiritual spheres. Through dialogues with adults and adolescents of all genders, I will identify gender-specific tasks and evaluate their social value. I will emphasize my exploration on domestic life, i.e.…
Bryana Kizer-Rivera 2nd Hour (11) Grass I have always wondered why I’m the only child out of all my mother, children who is allergic to so many things. It’s very annoying and scary because you never know when you’re going to break out with something because you don’t know everything that you’re allergic to. There so many common things I’m allergic to, that other people are allergic too. But, something I really don’t hear a lot saying is that they are allergic to grass. I…
approach was mainly used for unfamiliar lands to avoid conflict and the disadvantage of poor knowledge of new territory. Another tactical approach that Britain had was using good relation with leaders to their advantage. In hopes to occupy the small vacant lands in Africa, Britain’s slow yet well thought out plan helped their advancement. The Ashanti Federation was known for their gold-producing region Kumasi. European powers became interested in claiming these lands. Britain’s battle to gain…
name given to it in the fifteenth century after the end of the colonial period up till their independence day. Modern day Ghana is believed to have gotten its name from the ancient Guinea, Mali Empire which was very prosperous and traded in gold. The major ethnic groups of the Gold Coast before the arrival of Europeans were the Akans, the Ga-Adangbe, the Ewes, the Manprusis, the Dagombas, the Nanumbas and the Gonjas. All these ethnic groups allegedly migrated into the country from elsewhere. It…
Imperialism is defined as “the policy of extending a nation’s authority by territorial acquisition or by establishing economic and political hegemony over other nations.” As Western European powers continued to extend their empires across the world, the idea of a new imperialism would emerge between the period 1880-1914. The principle of new imperialism involved the extension of Western political and economic dominance in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia in the late nineteenth and…