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In many parts of
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Maurit ...
, there is an old
chieftaincy
A tribal chief or chieftain is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom.
Tribe
The concept of tribe is a broadly applied concept, based on tribal concepts of societies of western Afroeurasia.
Tribal societies are sometimes categorized as ...
tradition, and the
Akan people
The Akan () people live primarily in present-day Ghana and Ivory Coast in West Africa. The Akan language (also known as ''Twi/Fante'') are a group of dialects within the Central Tano branch of the Potou–Tano subfamily of the Niger–Congo ...
have developed their own hierarchy, which exists alongside the
democratic structure of the country. The Akan word for the ruler or one of his various courtiers is "Nana" (). In colonial times, Europeans translated it as "chief", but that is not an exact equivalent. Other sources speak of "kings", which is also not entirely correct, especially in the case of the said courtiers. The term "chief" has become common even among modern
Ghanaian
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in Ghana–Ivory Coast border, the west, Burkina ...
s, though it would be more correct to use the expression "Nana" without translation wherever possible.
History
The roots of Akan chieftaincy are unknown, and written sources are scarce. When the Akan were settling in
Bonoman
Bono State (or Bonoman) was a trading state created by the Bono people, located in what is now southern Ghana. Bonoman was a medieval Akan kingdom in what is now Bono, Bono East and Ahafo region respectively named after the (Bono and Ahafo) a ...
, in the period before 1300,
Bonos had already long used the chieftaincy system. The paramount chief held a position that can be compared to that of an
absolutist king.
When the
Republic of Ghana
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...
was founded in 1957, it was agreed that the chieftaincy system should be respected.
Present time
Chieftaincy is officially accepted. Politicians ask chiefs for advice because usually they are closer to the people. The highest committee is the National
House of Chiefs A House of Chiefs (or ''House of Traditional Leaders'') is a post-colonial assembly, either legislative or advisory, that is recognised by either a national or regional government as consisting of and providing a collective, public voice for an eth ...
in
Kumasi
Kumasi (historically spelled Comassie or Coomassie, usually spelled Kumase in Twi) is a city in the Ashanti Region, and is among the largest metropolitan areas in Ghana. Kumasi is located in a rain forest region near Lake Bosomtwe, and is the ...
. There are also Regional Houses of Chiefs. In case of problems between the chiefs, the House of Chiefs has a legal function to adjudicate in such matters.
Hierarchy
Within the Akan ethnic group there are different kin groups, such as the
Ashanti,
Bono
Paul David Hewson (born 10 May 1960), known by his stage name Bono (), is an Irish singer-songwriter, activist, and philanthropist. He is the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the rock band U2.
Born and raised in Dublin, he attended M ...
,
Akyem
The Akyem are an Akan people. The term Akyem (Akem, Akim or Aki) is used to describe a group of four states: Asante Akyem, Akyem Abuakwa, Akyem Kotoku and Akyem Bosome. These nations are located primarily in the eastern region in south Ghana. ...
,
Kwahu
Kwahu refers to an area and group of people that live in Ghana, part of the Twi-speaking Akan group. The region has been dubbed Asaase Aban, or the Natural Fortress, in view of its position as the highest habitable elevation in the country. Kwahu ...
,
Akwapim,
Assin
The Assin (also known as Asin and Asen) are an ethnic group of the Akan people who live in Ghana. The Assin people live predominantly in the Central Region of Ghana
The Central Region is one of the sixteen administrative regions of Ghana. It ...
, or the
Fante,
enkyira The highest ranked of the entire Akan chieftaincy institution is the paramount chief.
Ranked below the Paramount chief are the sub-chiefs. A sub-chief can be compared to the
mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well a ...
of a town, except that his office is hereditary as opposed to elective. The chiefs have their own territories, and apart from overseeing them, they have a function at the courts of their paramount chiefs as their ministers. Most of the functions are traditional, while some have been created recently:
A chief
arbitrates and decides political and economic questions in his area. When he is installed, he receives a
stool name. Usually, all chiefs who belong to a reigning lineage have the same name – an ordinal being added to distinguish between all of them.
''Ahemfo''
''Ahemfo'' is the general title for native city-state rulers in Akan culture. Historically, ''Ohene,'' the most common title for the King is the singular form of ''Ahemfo''.
''Ohemaa''
''Ohemaa'' is the feminine version of Ohene and means Queen or female ruler. However Henewaa or Heneba (with the feminine suffix wa or ba) is sometimes used for female ruler instead.
''Omanhene''
The English translation of the title
Omanhene In several Akan nations of Ghana, the Omanhene (''Pl. Amanhene)'' is the title of the supreme traditional ruler ('king') in a region or a larger town. The omanhene is the central figure and institution of the nation. Officially, he has no function i ...
(pl. ''Amanhene'') is Paramount Chief. In rare cases,
Queens
Queens is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Queens County, in the U.S. state of New York. Located on Long Island, it is the largest New York City borough by area. It is bordered by the borough of Brooklyn at the western tip of Long ...
themselves would be Custodians of the Chieftaincy until a relevant male from the Royal Household is chosen as chief. This and the position of Obaapanin or Queen are the only ones that are obtained through descent from the ruling clan.
''Krontihene''
The Krontihene is caretaker of the land and second-in-command after the Omanhene.
''Ankobeahene''
''Ankobea'' means one who stays at home or does not go anywhere. The Ankobeahene is the caretaker of the palace.
''Obaatan''
Obaatan means "parent" and is a female role. Her symbol is the egg, out of which all other chiefs came. She is Omanhene's counsellor. When Omanhene's stool is vacant, Obaatan suggests the next incumbent. She is expected to consider all factors such as the character of the available candidates, their royal descent and their contribution to the royal family. Mostly the lineage and order of birth is given a paramount consideration in the selection process.
Although found in other traditions, the position of Obaatan does not fit into the Akan chieftaincy structure proper. The one who suggests and nominates the Omanhene amongst the Akans is the Obaahemaa (or Queen mother).
''Tufohene''
The "warlord" is the head of all the
Asafo
Asafo are traditional warrior groups in Akan culture, based on lineal descent. The word derives from , meaning war, and , meaning people. The traditional role of the Asafo companies was defence of the state. As the result of contact with Europea ...
companies and the defense minister
(or head of the gunners). Tufohene translates loosely in Akan as 'the chief of the gunners', .
''Asafohene''
The Asafohene is the head of a single Asafo company.
''Manwerehene''
The head of the interior.
''Sanaahene''
The head of the treasury.
''Adontehene''
There are four positions describing military flanks. The Adontehene is the one who goes in front of the army.
''Nkyidomhene''
He collects the soldiers who are left behind and sends them back to the army. During Odambea, the Nkyidom always sits in the last palanquin.
''Nifahene''
The Nifahene holds the right flank of the army's formation.
''Benkumhene''
The Benkumhene holds the left flank of the army's formation (also in modern governance known as the left wing).
''Akyempimhene''
If there is anything to distribute or to share, the
Akyempimhene Akyempimhene, or vice-king, is the title bestowed upon one of the chiefs in the Ashanti Kingdom, located in Ghana, Africa. The throne is occupied by a son of any Ashanti king (Asantehene), and he takes care of the royal family. The Akyempimhene repr ...
(or vice-king) has to do it. He is the first son of the king. He also protects the king, his father, with each king deciding whether to give the title to his literal son or to a close favourite. He also enjoys the authority of arriving in a palanquin after the Asantehene is seated; he alone has that authority to do so. He is also the head of all the Kumasi royals. Otumfuo Opoku Ware (Katakyie) created this title. Usually the first sons of the kings are the ones that ascend this stool. He is also the head of the Kyidom clan (Fekuo). Due to the matrilineal system of inheritance, sons do not automatically succeed their fathers as kings. Kings are by and large selected from among the sons of the deceased king's close female relations. This title is therefore a convenient means of ennobling a king's son without upsetting the royal succession.
''Mankrado''
The Mankrado's function is purification. He puts leaves into water, then sprinkles it over the Omanhene. He also always has salt in his pocket so that he can make things taste better for the Omanhene.
''Guantuahene''
The title of the Guantuahene is a comparatively recent innovation. The Guantoahene is the one to whom people can turn for shelter and mercy.
''Nsumankwahene''
The Nsumankwahene watches the oracle. This title is also a relatively recent creation.
The Nsumankwahene is a spiritual head of the community/communities. In the past it was the chief priest who performed this role.
''Nkosuohene''
The Nkosuohene is responsible for the development of the region. The Nkosuohene was created to honor someone who does not have to be a member of a royal family. Created by the Ashanti, a small number of selected foreigners have been honored with this title which appreciates the contribution of non-royals.
Entourage
''Okomfo''
The most important person in the chief's entourage is the priest or priestess (''Okomfo''). Traditionally, the priest tells the chief when it is time to start a war or to marry, for example.
Stool Wife
There is also a stool wife. No matter whether a chief is married or not, when installed, he will be married to a very young girl. Having a stool wife is obligatory, and
polygamy
Crimes
Polygamy (from Late Greek (') "state of marriage to many spouses") is the practice of marrying multiple spouses. When a man is married to more than one wife at the same time, sociologists call this polygyny. When a woman is married ...
is still legal in Ghana. Today, the symbolic act of marriage is sufficient, however. During parades, a stool wife sits in front of the chief.
''Okyeame''
A chief has one or more
linguists
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. It is called a scientific study because it entails a comprehensive, systematic, objective, and precise analysis of all aspects of language, particularly its nature and structure. Linguis ...
(''Okyeame''). A chief never talks in public, but conveys messages through his linguist, who is also responsible for the pouring of
libations
A libation is a ritual pouring of a liquid, or grains such as rice, as an offering to a deity or spirit, or in memory of the dead. It was common in many religions of antiquity and continues to be offered in cultures today.
Various subst ...
.
Queen Mother
![The Childrens Museum of Indianapolis - Queen Mothers stool](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/The_Childrens_Museum_of_Indianapolis_-_Queen_Mothers_stool.jpg)
The title of Queen mother ''Ohemmaa'' can relate to the rank of a paramount queen, a queen or a sub-queen. The Akan honorific is the same as for the men, "Nana". When using English, Ghanaians often say "queen mother". This woman is not necessarily the respective chief's mother, although she is usually related to him. Her role in the system is to have an eye on the social conditions, and a personally capable Queen mother has been known to equal or even surpass a reigning chief in terms of power and prestige. A good example of this happening is the case of Queen
Yaa Asantewaa
Yaa Asantewaa I (born 17 October 1840 – 17 October 1921) was the Queen Mother of Ejisu in the Ashanti Empirenow part of modern-day Ghana – appointed by her brother Nana Akwasi Afrane Opese, the Edwesuhene, or ruler, of Edwesu. In 1900 she l ...
.
The Queen mother (or ''Ohemaa'') is expected to nominate someone to the position of the chief if it should become vacant. In some areas, this function is performed by the ''Abusuapanyin'' (or head of the clan) in consultation with other family members instead.
Regalia
Personal ornaments
On special occasions, chiefs wear the traditional cloth, which is a six-yard-long piece of fabric, wrapped around the body and worn as a
toga
The toga (, ), a distinctive garment of ancient Rome, was a roughly semicircular cloth, between in length, draped over the shoulders and around the body. It was usually woven from white wool, and was worn over a tunic. In Roman historical tra ...
. Female chiefs wear two pieces of fabric that can be of different designs.
The jewellery is very ample and used to be made of gold. Nowadays, most chiefs wear imitation gold. The head-dress usually takes the form of a crown. It can be made of metal or of black velvet, ornamented with metal. Chiefs have traditional sandals, and the wearing of sandals is symbolic for them. When a chief abdicates, he takes off his sandals.
Fly-whisk (''Bodua'')
When riding in a
palanquin
The litter is a class of wheelless vehicles, a type of human-powered transport, for the transport of people. Smaller litters may take the form of open chairs or beds carried by two or more carriers, some being enclosed for protection from the el ...
, chiefs hold a
fly-whisk
__NOTOC__
A fly-whisk (or fly-swish) is a tool that is used to swat flies. A similar gadget is used as a hand fan in hot tropical climates, sometimes as part of regalia, and is called a ''chowrie'', ''chāmara'', or ''prakirnaka'' in South Asia an ...
in one hand and a
ceremonial sword
A ceremonial weapon is an object used for ceremonial purposes to display power or authority. They are often used in parades and as part of dress uniforms.
Although they are descended from weapons used in actual combat, they are not normally use ...
in the other. The fly-whisk is made of animal hair.
Sword ('' Afena'')
The ceremonial short sword is used for animal sacrifice. The chief touches the animal's throat symbolically with his sword before someone else cuts it with a sharp knife.
Palanquin (''Apakan'')
During a durbar, which is a special parade, some chiefs are carried in a
palanquin
The litter is a class of wheelless vehicles, a type of human-powered transport, for the transport of people. Smaller litters may take the form of open chairs or beds carried by two or more carriers, some being enclosed for protection from the el ...
. Subchiefs have to walk. The palanquins can have the form of a chair or of a bed.
Stool (''Dwa'')
Instead of a throne, Akan chiefs traditionally sit on a stool. When they die, their stools are painted black and stored in a sacred room.
This sacred room is called ''Nkonwafie'' (stool house). If the deceased chief was the first to have sat on that stool, the person's name becomes the first I. Whoever sits on that stool in the future would be called by the first chief's name but would have II attached. The name becomes the new chief's stool name.
Umbrella (''Bamkyim'')
Very large umbrellas made of silk and other rich fabrics are used to shade a chief and show from afar that a chief is approaching.
References
{{Reflist
Sources
As there is not much written information, oral sources have to be quoted:
* Mr. Anthony Alick Eghan, Yamoransa (Central Region, Ghana)
** Kofi Owusu Yeboah, Ejisu-Onwe (Ashanti Region)
Literature
*
Antubam, Kofi, ''Ghana's Heritage of Culture'', Leipzig, 1963
*Kyerematen, A. A. Y., ''Panoply of Ghana'', London, 1964
*Meyerowitz, Eva L. R., ''Akan Traditions of Origin'', London, 1952
*Meyerowitz, Eva L. R., ''At the Court of an African King'', London, 1962
*Obeng, Ernest E., ''Ancient Ashanti Chieftancy'', Tema, Ghana, 1986
External links
Basel Mission Pictures
Ghanaian culture
Akan culture
Tribal chiefs