In Ghana, one of the most dominant tribes in the West African country is the Ashanti tribe. Like most tribesmen, the Ashantis are a unique people in many ways, evident in their rich history, language, food, traditional dress, and culture in general. If you want to learn more about this fascinating tribe, read on and be amazed at what you discover.
rich past
The Ashanti (Asante, Asanti) tribe can currently be found in central Ghana of West Africa. They are the largest ethnic group of the Akans (Ashanti and Fanti) in Ghana. Before Ghana, the Gold Coast was a nation dominated by the Akans with their capital in Kumasi.
The ancient Ashantis lived together in huts built around a courtyard. The head of household is usually the eldest brother living in the clan, chosen by the elders. He is called the father or the house father. Family is of paramount importance to the Ashanti tribe, especially the mother’s family. A child is believed to have inherited the mother’s flesh and blood and the father’s soul.
SEE ALSO: Remembering Kwame Nkrumah with these 20 quotes
Speaking drums is important to the Ashantis. They are used to learning their language. A boy is taught to use the talking drum by his mother’s brother.
One of the most important symbols of the Ashanti is the golden stool. The gold stool has never been used by anyone, nor has it touched the ground. According to legend, Okomfo Anokye, a high priest and one of the two main founders of the Asante Confederation, lowered the stool from the sky and landed on the lap of the first Asante king, Osei Tutu.
The stool value is further enhanced as it is, guarded with the utmost security and usually placed on an animal hide or other stool. The golden stool is said to represent the worship of the ancestors and the care for their welfare. Moreso, in the Ashanti tribe, the stool is brought out only on grand occasions.
Slavery in Ashanti
In the past, the Ashanti practiced slavery. These slaves came about through wars and battles in which they were victorious. The goal of slavery varied as different slave masters acquired slaves to increase wealth or to intermarry. On a larger scale, slaves could also be used for sacrifices at funeral ceremonies. This was in accordance with the belief that slaves would follow their masters into the afterlife.
Ashanti slave masters were known to treat slaves humanely to the point that slaves could own slaves themselves. Any slave master found to mistreat slaves was frowned upon by the community. Slaves also had the opportunity to request a change of master if they felt they had been subjected to constant abuse.
Due to the matrilineal culture type of the Ashanti, the slave masters, usually preferred to marry their slaves. This was because, in a family situation, the woman’s older brother had control over his sister’s children, particularly the men, and not the children’s own father. The slave masters, desiring reasonable control over their own children, would prefer to marry a slave who had no family to interfere in his family’s affairs.
Food / Local Cuisine
As with other tribes in Ghana, the Ashantis have their own staple foods that leave visitors or guests craving for more. Whether at home, at events with traditional events, local food plays an important role in entertainment and keeps people cheerful and happy. There are four main dishes the Ashanti tribe is known for: Fufu and Goat Light Soup, Ampesi and Kontomire Stew, Mpoto Mpoto and Etoto (Mashed Plantain):
1. Fufu and Goat Light Soup
Fufu is a staple among the Akans, best served with the light goat soup. While easy to prepare, the preparation of this meal requires some preprocessing before it can be accomplished. The process thus involves marinating the meat to be used overnight. After that, ground local spices cooked with red oil can be added to the meat to add more aroma and flavor to the soup.
2. Ampesi and Kontomire stew
This is also an easy-to-prepare meal where the Kontomire leaves are paramount. The leaf is cooked with local spices and then eaten with cooked, unripe bananas or yams. The meal can be eaten with fried fish. The tilapia fish goes best with food. This meal is also very nutritious.
3. Mpoto Mpoto
This meal is made from pureed cocoyam. Although the food can be prepared in a variety of ways, it is both highly nutritious and delicious.
4. Et (Plantain Mash)
From the name, it’s easy to imagine what that would taste like…plantain maybe? You’re right. This food is made by mashing half-ripe plantains and mixing them with red oil. Complementing the meal is the addition of peanut, which can be sprinkled on top of the mashed plantain alongside avocado and boiled egg.
ALSO SEE: 7 Beautiful African Traditional Wedding Attire
Language, culture and traditional clothing
They speak the Twi or Asante Twi dialect, one of the main dialects in Ghana. This language is therefore spoken by more than nine million people as a first or second language.
Regarding their traditional dress, Ashantis are also popular for the kente cloth. Kente comes from the word “kenten” meaning “basket” because the original kente weavers used rafia palms to make clothes that looked like a basket.
Did you know?
1. During a war against Britain in 1896, the Ashanti had King Prempeh I deported from the Ashanti Kingdom, fearing the alternative would result in the loss of their golden see.
2. The Ashantis share many similarities with Jamaicans, including linguistic and cultural similarities. This is due to the slave trade, which brought many Ghanaians to Jamaica and Barbados. The Jamaican flag is also said to be inspired by the Ashanti king’s kente.
3. The kente cloth, which has become a popular fashion statement, was once worn only by Ashanti royalty and reserved only for joyful occasions.
ALSO SEE: 8 Delicious Ghanaian Dishes You Must Try
4. The Kente material and design gained worldwide recognition as it was featured in the “Black Panther Movie” as part of Chadwick Boseman’s challah worn by King T. “