X-Nico

13 unusual facts about Asante


G. E. Ferguson

Upon reaching Atebubu, Ferguson negotiated a treaty with the local chiefs, who feared aggression from Asante, which they had seceded from in 1875.

Golden Stool

Such seats were traditionally symbolic of a chieftain's leadership, but the Golden Stool is believed to house the spirit of the Asante nation—living, dead and yet to be born.

A throne is carried to the king on a pillow, as only the Asantehene himself is allowed to handle it.

The Golden Stool (Asante: Sika 'dwa) is the royal and divine throne of the Ashanti people.

John Bryan Small

Born and educated in Barbados, Small joined the British Army as a clerk and was stationed in the Gold Coast for three years, resigning due to British aggression towards the Asante.

Osei Kofi Tutu I

The victory broke the hold those kingdoms had on the trade path to the coast and cleared the way for the Asante to increase trade with the Europeans.

In 1701, the absolute defeat of neighboring kingdoms, brought the Asante to the attention of the Europeans on the coast for the first time.

The Empire of Ashanti was officially formed in 1701 and Osei Tutu was crowned Asantehene (King of all Ashanti).

First, the union was spiritually brought into being through the Golden Stool, invoked by Okomfo Anokye, and explained as the embodiment of the soul of the Asante Union.

Osei Tutu was the fourth ruler in Asante royal history, succeeding his uncle Obiri Yeboa.

The Asantehene, who was also the Kumasihene, was at its head, with the kings of the states of the union forming the Confederacy or Union Council.

Exploiting the Abusua's mutual hatred for their oppressor, Osei Tutu and his priest-counselor Okomfo Anokye succeeded in merging these states into the Asante Union.

Sankofa

Sankofa can mean either the word in the Akan language of Ghana that translates in English to " reach back and get it" (san - to return; ko - to go; fa - to look, to seek and take) or the Asante Adinkra symbols of a bird with its head turned backwards taking an egg off its back, or of a stylised heart shape.


Akan calendar

The Asante sent messengers to Brong (i.e., Techiman) when in doubt about when to hold any festival, for the Brong were 'keepers of the King's calendar.'

Anita Asante

In December 2010 Asante returned for a second spell at Sky Blue FC, after Jim Gabarra, her coach at Washington Freedom, took the reins at Sky Blue.

In June 2012 Asante was named in the 18–player Great Britain squad for the 2012 London Olympics.

Asante studied Politics and English BA at the Business School of Brunel University in London, benefiting from the UK "Government's Talented Athletes Scholarship Scheme" which helps athletes in full-time education.

Beverly J. Stoeltje

She has continued to pursue her initial interests in performance, ritual, and gender, but shifted her geographical interests in the early 1990s to Ghana and West Africa, exploring the role of Asante Queen Mothers (see Akan Chieftaincy).

Mutala Mohammed

He was an integral part of the Asante Kotoko team which competed in the 2006 CAF Champions League, scoring an important goal against Tunisian side CS Sfaxien.

Robert McClain

After dropping Dunta Robinson, and letting Chris Owens and Brent Grimes walk to the Browns and the Dolphins, respectively, in free agency, McClain will likely reprise his role in this nickel spot behind Asante Samuel and Desmond Trufant in 2013.

Solomon Asante

Solomon Asante joined Burkinabé club ASFA Yennenga from Feyenoord Ghana, at the beginning of the 2009–2010 season.

War of the Golden Stool

Furthermore, the British governor, Sir Frederick Mitchell Hodgson, demanded that the Asante turn over to the British the Golden Stool, i.e. the throne and a symbol of Asante sovereignty.

Yaa Asantewaa

Nana Arhin Brempong (Kwame Arhin), "The Role of Nana Yaa Asantewaa in the 1900 Asante War of Resistance", Ghana Studies 3, 2000, pp.