ANB-BIA SUPPLEMENT
ISSUE/EDITION Nr 320 - 15/03/1997
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE
Ghana
The Ashantis - a pillar of strength
by Samuel Sarpong, Ghana, December 1996
THEME = CULTURE
INTRODUCTION
The Ashantis are one of the best organised and most influential
tribes in Ghana. A tribe that has retained its very essence, unity
and strength
The story goes that one Friday morning, the chief priest of the
Ashantis, Komfo Anokye, summoned the leaders of the various
Ashanti groups to a meeting in Kumasi, the capital of the kingdom,
to discuss issues affecting the unity of the Ashantis, and the
threat by European colonialists.
The Golden Stool
As he performed a magical display, a Golden Stool came from the sky
and landed on the lap of the Ashanti king, Osei Tutu. The
stool became a symbol of hope, as the Ashantis were then engaged
in a war with the British.
To this day, the Golden Stool remains an important sign of Ashanti
unity. At one time, the British were desperate to get hold
of it. They said that once the Golden Stool was captured, the
growing Ashanti influence would be destroyed. Sufficient to say,
the Ashanti people still retain much of their importance in today's
Ghana.
Indeed, if there is any place in Ghana that has shaped, and that
continues to shape the country, both politically and culturally,
then it is the Ashanti kingdom with its capital, Kumasi.
Kumasi is some 169 north west of Accra, and is Ghana's second
largest city. It is a "must" for any visitor to the
country.
Ashanti's main attraction has always been gold, and today its
surroundings still boast enormous gold production and displays of
Ghana's rich culture. The Ashanti people are proud weavers of the
Kente Cloth, the multi-coloured strips of cloth which now are found
on sale in many of the world's fashionable stores, especially in
the United States. Kumasi is also noteworthy as being the
stronghold of Ghana's largest opposition political party, the New
Patriotic Party.
The Durbar
Recently, the Ashanti kingdom received a great of publicity,
because of the mammoth durbar held there. This was the climax to
the numerous traditional cultural activities, marking the silver
jubilee of the present Ashanti king, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II.
The durbar was one of the biggest in recent Ashanti history and had
as one of its highlights, the public display of the Golden Stool,
for all to view and admire.
The event was attended by a number of foreign dignitaries. They
were able to witness various Ashanti chiefs riding in the
palanquins under giant coloured umbrellas, come to pay their
respects to the Ashanti king. Goodwill Zwelithini, King of
the Zulus, together with his wife, were special guests at the
ceremony. The king could not help saying: "This is a great day
for Africa".
Officially, the durbar was to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King
Otumfuo Opoku Ware II's accession to the throne. But more than
anything else, the festivity conveyed to young Ashantis, a lively
impression of the values of their culture, and the importance of
their traditions, which must be preserved for future generations.
Otumfuo, himself, was overwhelmed by the pomp and pageantry that
went with the celebration. He remarked: "This is
unprecedented".
King Otumfuo Opoku Ware II
The King studied law in England and pursued a successful career as
a lawyer. He was crowned King of the Ashantis in 1970. He
has been influenced by his experience of western education but as
a monarch, he is deeply involved in his people's culture. He is a
committed Christian, belonging to the Anglican Church.
Ghana's president, Jerry Rawlings, has this to say:
"As a man of many parts, Otumfuo's considerable experience has
been brought to bear on the Kingdom. His able leadership has
safeguarded the chieftaincy institution in the kingdom".
Ashantis are united because they feel the soul of their people
rests in the Golden Stool. This sacred relic gives them their
identity, and provides a link between themselves and their
ancestors.
END
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE
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