What was the Asante Empire?
Ashanti Kingdom) The Asante Empire ( Asante Twi: Asanteman) was an Akan empire and kingdom from 1701 to 1901, in what is now modern-day Ghana. It expanded from the Ashanti Region to include the Brong-Ahafo Region, Central Region, Eastern Region and Western Region of present-day Ghana as well as some parts of Ivory Coast and Togo.
When did the last king of the Asante Empire die?
• 1931–1957 (last king of the indep. Ashanti Kingdom) The Asante Empire ( Asante Twi: Asanteman) was an Akan empire and kingdom from 1701 to 1901, in what is now modern-day Ghana.
When did the Ashanti Empire start and end?
Ashanti Empire/ Asante Kingdom (18th to late 19th century) The Ashanti Empire was a pre-colonial West African state that emerged in the 17th century in what is now Ghana. The Ashanti or Asante were an ethnic subgroup of the Akan-speaking people, and were composed of small chiefdoms.
How did the Asante defeat the British Empire?
The Asante war machine was successful in defeating the alliance in open combat pushing their enemies towards the Akwapim hills. Ashanti however abandoned their campaign of pursuit after capturing a British fort and establishing their presence and authority on the coast.
How long did the Asante kingdom last?
The Asante were one of the Akan-speaking peoples who settled in the forest region of modern Ghana between the 11thand 13th centuries. The separate Asante chiefdoms were united by Osei Tutu in the 1670s and in 1696 he took the title of Asantehene (king) and founded the Asante empire.
When did the Asante Empire start and end?
The Asante Empire (Asante Twi: Asanteman) was an Akan state that lasted between 1701 to 1901, in what is now modern-day Ghana.
When did the Ashanti Empire fall?
Though the British ruled the Gold Coast — including the Ashanti Empire — for years, their reign did not last forever. In 1957, the colony became a dominion of the British Commonwealth. And just a few years later, the region won its independence as the Republic of Ghana in 1960.
How long has the Ashanti tribe been around?
History of the Ashanti The Ashanti people first appear in the historical record around the 13th century. By the 17th century, they had built themselves into a great kingdom.
Who conquered the Asante Empire what year?
The second war ended in a stalemate in 1864. The Third Anglo-Ashanti War occurred from 1873 to 1874. British General Garnet Wolseley led 2,500 British troops and several thousand Indian and African troops against the Ashanti Empire. For the first time the British decided to defeat and destroy the Ashanti Empire.
What happened to the Ashanti Kingdom 300 years ago?
The Ashanti rebelled against British rule and the Empire was again conquered in 1896. After yet another uprising in 1900, the British deposed and exiled the Asantehene and annexed the Empire into their Gold Coast colony in 1902.
What caused the downfall of the Ashanti Kingdom?
Declining trade relations and disputes over the Fante region caused friction over the following decade and led to warfare in the 1820s. The Asante defeated a British force in 1824 but made peace in 1831 and avoided conflict for the next 30 years.
What does Asante mean in Ghana?
thank youGirl. African. Derived from the Kiswahili word asante, meaning "thank you". Ashanti is a region in central Ghana. The traditional inhabitants of the region are known as Ashanti people.
How did the Asante become powerful?
By invading Bonoman, the Asante gained access to the Lobi gold fields, which remain today one of the world's richest gold deposits. Combined with the gold mines of Kumasi, the Asante became enormously rich. Dagomba retained its independence as a client state, and supplied the Asante with over 1,000 slaves annually.
How did the Asante Empire rise?
By 1730, the realms of Bonoman and the non-Akan peoples of Gonja and Dagomba were brought into the empire. By invading Bonoman, the Asante gained access to the Lobi gold fields, which remain today one of the world's richest gold deposits. Combined with the gold mines of Kumasi, the Asante became enormously rich.
What led to the rise of the Asante Kingdom?
Presence of large/strong army provided defence/expanded the empire through conquest Availability of gold enabled the kingdom to generate wealth that was used for further development. The Odwira Festival brought the leaders/people together thereby making the empire more cohesive.
What led to the collapse of the Ashanti Empire?
Declining trade relations and disputes over the Fante region caused friction over the following decade and led to warfare in the 1820s. The Asante defeated a British force in 1824 but made peace in 1831 and avoided conflict for the next 30 years.
What does Asante mean in Ghana?
thank youGirl. African. Derived from the Kiswahili word asante, meaning "thank you". Ashanti is a region in central Ghana. The traditional inhabitants of the region are known as Ashanti people.
What is the Asante Empire?
The Asante Empire ( Asante Twi: Asanteman) was an Akan empire and kingdom from 1701 to 1957, in what is now modern-day Ghana. It expanded from Ashanti to include the Brong-Ahafo Region, Central Region, Eastern Region and Western Region of present-day Ghana as well as some parts of Ivory Coast and Togo. Due to the empire's military prowess, wealth, ...
When did the Ashanti Kingdom become a protectorate?
In January 1902, Britain finally designated the Ashanti Kingdom as a protectorate. the Ashanti Kingdom was restored to self-rule on 31 January 1935. Asante King Prempeh II was restored in 1957, and the Ashanti Kingdom entered a state union with Ghana on independence from the United Kingdom.
What was the history of slavery in the Ashanti Empire?
Slavery was historically a tradition in the Ashanti Empire, with slaves typically taken as captives from enemies in warfare. The Ashanti Empire was not only the largest slaveowning state in the territory of today´s Ghana but also the largest trader in the region to supply the Atlantic slave trade.
What was the economy of the Ashanti Empire based on?
The economy of the Ashanti Empire was mainly based on the trade of gold and slaves. The army served as the effective tool to procure captives.
What is the name of the kingdom in Ghana?
Ashanti Kingdom) • 1931–1957 (last king of the indep. Ashanti Kingdom) The Asante Empire ( Asante Twi: Asanteman) was an Akan empire and kingdom from 1701 to 1957, in what is now modern-day Ghana. It expanded from Ashanti to include the Brong-Ahafo Region, Central Region, Eastern Region and Western Region of present-day Ghana as well as some parts ...
What is the name of the Akan empire?
Not to be confused with Ashanti Region. • 1888–1896 (13th king of the indep. Ashanti Kingdom) • 1931–1957 (last king of the indep. Ashanti Kingdom) The Asante Empire ( Asante Twi: Asanteman) was an Akan empire and kingdom from 1701 to 1957, in what is now modern-day Ghana.
Why did the Ashanti Empire become part of the Gold Coast colony?
Due to British improvements in weapons technology, they burnt and sacked the Ashanti capital of Kumasi, and after the final Ashanti defeat at the fifth Anglo-Ashanti War , the Ashanti empire became part of the Gold Coast colony on January 1, 1902.
What is the Ashanti Empire?
Ashanti Empire/ Asante Kingdom (18th to late 19th century) The Ashanti Empire was a pre-colonial West African state that emerged in the 17th century in what is now Ghana . The Ashanti or Asante were an ethnic subgroup of the Akan-speaking people, and were composed of small chiefdoms. The Ashanti established their state around Kumasi in ...
When did the Ashanti Empire conquer Kumasi?
Between 1823 and 1873, the Ashanti Empire resisted British encroachment on their territory. By 1874, however, British forces successfully invaded the Empire and briefly captured Kumasi. The Ashanti rebelled against British rule and the Empire was again conquered in 1896.
What did Osei Tutu do to the Ashanti Empire?
Upon that Stool Osei Tutu legitimized his rule and that of the royal dynasty that followed him. Gold was the major product of the Ashanti Empire. Osei Tutu made the gold mines royal possessions. He also made gold dust the circulating currency in the empire.
What did the Asantehene do?
The Asantehene organized the Asante union, an alliance of Akan-speaking people who were now loyal to his central authority. The Asantehene made Kumasi the capital of the new empire. He also created a constitution, reorganized and centralized the military, and created a new cultural festival, Odwira, which symbolized the new union.
What did the Ashanti get in exchange for their weapons?
In exchange, the Ashanti received luxury items and some manufactured goods including most importantly firearms. The consequence of this trade for the Ashanti and their neighbors was horrendous. From 1790 until 1896, the Ashanti Empire was in a perpetual state of war involving expansion or defense of its domain.
Who was the chief of Ashanti?
That situation changed when Osei Tutu, the Asantehene (paramount chief) of Ashanti from 1701 to 1717, and his priest Komfo Anokye, unified the independent chiefdoms into the most powerful political and military state in the coastal region. The Asantehene organized the Asante union, an alliance of Akan-speaking people who were now loyal ...
What was the role of the Portuguese in West Africa?
During this era the Portuguese were the most active Europeans in West Africa. They made Ashanti a significant trading partner, providing wealth and weapons which allowed the small state to grow stronger than its neighbors. Nonetheless when the 18th Century began Ashanti was simply one of Akan-speaking Portuguese trading partners in the region.
When did the Asante Empire rise?
Listen To Article. The Asante Empire rose to power during the 17th Century in what is now modern day Ghana when the Asante, an Akan-speaking people established their state around Kumasi in the late 1600s. The rise and fall in the power of the Asante Empire can be explained by the effects of the Trans-Saharan Trade and the Trans-Atlantic Trade in ...
Why did the Asante Empire lose power?
By the early 1800s however, the Asante Empire would lose its power because of its heavy reliance on the Slave Trade. Initially, the Asante Empire’s Slave Trade was focused north with captives going to Mende and Hausa traders who exchanged them for goods from North Africa and indirectly from Europe along the Trans-Saharan Trade Route.
What did Osei Tutu do?
Osei Tutu formed and organized the Asante union, a powerful alliance of Akan-speaking people who became loyal to Osei Tutu’s central authority. Osei Tutu then made Kumasi the capital of the new Asante Empire. Most importantly, Osei Tutu also created the Golden Stool, a lasting symbol of the power of the Asante Empire which he argued represented ...
Why was the Ashanti kingdom called Asante?
They used firearms earlier than other areas nearby and used effective fighting strategies. The name “Asante” actually means ‘because of war’.
What is the Ashanti Empire?
The Ashanti Empire was one of the richest empires that has ever existed in Africa and had a very complex and sophisticated government.
What was the cloth that the Tutu gave to the King?
This cloth became associated with royalty and was usually made of silk, an expensive fabric. Today, Kente cloth is a popular item to buy in Ghana and West Africa.
What is the name of the cloth in the Ashanti kingdom?
THE ASHANTI KINGDOM WAS VERY RICH IN RESOURCES. A special kind of cloth, named Kente cloth, is associated with the Ashanti Kingdom. ‘Kente’ means basket or woven cloth. According to legend, two farmers saw a spider spinning web. They were amazed by the beauty of the web and rushed home to try and recreate it by weaving.
Why was the Ashanti Kingdom so rich?
The Ashanti Kingdom had a good trade with other areas of Africa because it contained much gold, allowing the Kingdom to become very wealthy. Gold was used as the currency and even poorer people decorated their clothing with gold dust. The Ashanti Kingdom also contained many fertile lands and forests.
What was the Ashanti kingdom's symbol?
The central government had a lot of control and people paid taxes to them. The Golden Stool, a chair made of gold, was the symbol of the King and his power. It was believed to have come down from heaven and was a symbol which was used to unite the people.
When did the Ashanti Empire start?
The Ashanti Kingdom was first established in the 1690s by King Osei Tutu, who united over 30 smaller groups into one.
The Origins of the Asante Empire Go Back to 13th Century
The Asante Empire, also spelled as Ashanti, was an African empire established by the Asante people in the region of modern-day Ghana, who are a part of the Akan ethnic group. The rise of early Akan centralized states can be traced all the way back to the 13th century.
The Gold & Slave Trade Made the Asante Empire Rich
The slave trade brought great wealth to the Asante Empire, and it is estimated that by the end of the 18th century, the number of slaves being exported was as high as 6,000–7,000 a year. Most of these slaves would cross the Atlantic Ocean, ending up as workers on European plantations in the New World.
Tensions Between the Asante Empire and the British Grow
Tensions between the British and the Asante Empire culminated in the First Anglo-Asante War, which broke out in 1823. The rejection of Asante claims to the Fante areas of the coast by the British, and the refusal of the British to negotiate were the immediate causes of the conflict.
The Final Anglo-Asante War Leaves Asante A British Colony
The Fourth Anglo-Asante War was fought between the end of 1895 and the beginning of 1896. The pretext for the war was the failure of the Asante to pay the indemnity as agreed in the Treaty of Fomena. In reality, however, the British wanted to take control of Asante lands once and for all.
The Asante People: From Minor Power to Empire to Colony
To conclude, the Asante Empire started off as an insignificant power in the area of modern-day Ghana during the 17th century. Thanks to the skilled leadership of its first ruler, Osei Tutu, and Okomfo Anokye, the Asante became a formidable power, and prospered from trade.
Etymology and Origins
History
- Foundation
Ashanti political organization was originally centered on clans headed by a paramount chief or Omanhene. One particular clan, the Oyoko, settled in the Ashanti's sub-tropical forest region, establishing a center at Kumasi. The Ashanti became tributaries of another Akan state, Denkyir… - Independence
In the 1670s the head of the Oyoko clan, Osei Kofi Tutu I, began another rapid consolidation of Akan peoples via diplomacy and warfare. King Osei Kofu Tutu I and his chief advisor, Okomfo Kwame Frimpong Anokye led a coalition of influential Ashanti city-states against their mutual op…
Government and Politics
- The Ashanti state was a centralized state made up of a hierarchy of heads starting from the "Abusua Panyin" who was head of a family or lineage. The family was the basic political unit in the empire. The family or lineage followed the village organization which was headed by the Odikro. All villages were then grouped together to form divisions headed by a divisional head called Ohe…
Legal System
- The Ashanti state, in effect, was a theocracy. It invokes religious, rather than secular-legal postulates. What the modern state views as crimes, Ashanti view practically as sins. Antisocial acts disrespect the ancestors, and are only secondarily harmful to the community. If the chief or King fails to punish such acts, he invokes the anger of the ancestors and the gods, and is theref…
Geography
- The Ashanti Empire was one of a series of states along the coast including Dahomey, Benin, and Oyo. The Ashanti had mountains and large agricultural surpluses. The southern part of the Ashanti Empire was covered with moist semi-deciduous forest whilst the Guinea savanna covered the northern part of the state. The Guinea Savanna consists of short deciduous and fire resistan…
Economy
- Resources
The lands within the Ashanti Kingdom were also rich in river-gold, cocoa and kola nuts, and the Ashanti were soon trading with the Portuguese at coastal fort Sao Jorge da Mina, later Elmina, the Songhai, and with the Hausastates. - Agriculture
The Ashanti prepared the fields by burning before the onset of the rainy season and cultivated with an iron hoe. Fields are left fallow for a couple years, usually after two to four years of cultivation. Plants cultivated include plantains, yams, manioc, corn, sweet potatoes, millet, bean…
Demography
- The population history of the Ashanti Kingdom was one of slow centralization. In the early 19th century the Asantehene used the annual tribute to set up a permanent standing army armed with rifles, which allowed much closer control of the Ashanti Kingdom. The Ashanti Kingdom was one of the most centralised states in sub-Saharan Africa. Osei Tutu and his successors oversaw a p…
Architecture
- The Ashanti traditional buildings are the only remnants of Ashanti architecture. Construction and design consisted of a timber framework filled up with clay and thatched with sheaves of leaves. The surviving designated sites are shrines, but there have been many other buildings in the past with the same architectural style. These buildings served as palaces and shrines as well as hous…
Police and Military
- Police
The Asantehene inherited his position from his queen mother, and he was assisted at the capital, Kumasi, by a civil service of men talented in trade, diplomacy, and the military, with a head called the Gyaasehene. Men from the Arabian Peninsula, Sudan, and Europe were employed in the Ash… - Military
The Ashanti armies served the empire well, supporting its long period of expansion and subsequent resistance to European colonization. Armament was primarily with firearms, but some historians hold that indigenous organization and leadership probably played a more crucia…
Culture and Society
- Family
Standing among families was largely political. The royal family typically topped the hierarchy, followed by the families of the chiefs of territorial divisions. In each chiefdom, a particular female line provides the chief. A committee of several men eligible for the post elects the chief. The typi… - Clothing
Prominent people wore silk. The ordinary Ashanti wore cotton whiles slaves dressed in black cloth. Garments signaled the rank of the wearer in society and its color expressed different meanings. White was worn by ordinary people after winning a court case. Dark colors were wor…