My friend, your article does make for interesting light reading, and that's all it does for me. However, I can't help but observe that you start off uniting Akans under the same umbrella of customs and traditions, but towards ... read full comment
My friend, your article does make for interesting light reading, and that's all it does for me. However, I can't help but observe that you start off uniting Akans under the same umbrella of customs and traditions, but towards the middle and the end, you substitute Ashantis for Akans. No Twi land borders the sea for an Ashanti or a Twi person originally to have been the one to describe the white person as "bro"ni. I thought the Twi word for cloud was "mununkum", never in my 63years growing up in Oseikurom have I heard of "bro" referring to cloud
Also the Alan concept of the Omnipotent does not mention a sabbath, and it's risible you should suborn our Akan culture to the Judaeo-Christian mythology
Tuyoo 9 years ago
According to "Anansesem", fufu pounding "pushed the sky and God far away from mankind
into the invisible Heavens"!
According to "Anansesem", fufu pounding "pushed the sky and God far away from mankind
into the invisible Heavens"!
OYOKOBA 9 years ago
Nice try, but the article lacks depth, rigor and scholarship. I will give it a JSS grade.
Who told the author that the Akans call cloud "Bro"? Cloud is called "mununkum" and not "bro". That is outright lie and thus introduc ... read full comment
Nice try, but the article lacks depth, rigor and scholarship. I will give it a JSS grade.
Who told the author that the Akans call cloud "Bro"? Cloud is called "mununkum" and not "bro". That is outright lie and thus introduces a great doubt on how much weight we can give to the article.
":Abrofo" is/was ascribed to white people because our ancestors came to distrust them and saw them for what they truly are, and that was "wicked people", hence abrofo. or abro(wickedness) + fo. Got it? Good.
/
Tuyoo 9 years ago
Actually, the "Kan Me Hwe" akans of the Akuapim-Twi speakers call cloud "EBOR/BRO"
Actually, the "Kan Me Hwe" akans of the Akuapim-Twi speakers call cloud "EBOR/BRO"
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
A ha!
There is an Akan-Akuapim angle!
A ha!
There is an Akan-Akuapim angle!
C.Y. ANDY-K 9 years ago
Akuapim is Guan long before some Akyems joined them. The word might have been derived from Guan then.
Folks, why take this article seriously? The man was simply passing round folktales and myths which explain some factual ... read full comment
Akuapim is Guan long before some Akyems joined them. The word might have been derived from Guan then.
Folks, why take this article seriously? The man was simply passing round folktales and myths which explain some factual things. Nothing scientific about it at all. Some of the claims were outright fabrications. E.g., Asantes were the first to tell Ananse stories in W. Africa and Nkrumah assumed the name Kwame for the reasons he gave.
Does he mean present Twi speakers did not have Ananse stories before the rise of the Asante Confederacy from Denkyera subject and vassal states in 1700? Other W. African ethnic groups have such stories except that they use different animals. The Yorubas used the tortoise, for instance, in the manner Akans and Ewes use the spider.
BTW, a lot of things credited to the Asantes, e.g., the gold weights, adinkra, kente, military formation, etc., were in existence long before the formation of the Asante Kingdom.
Andy-K
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
C.Y. ANDY-K,
We are not going to quote this essay in any context, except to say that it is readerble, and somewhat entertaining with its Anansesem-twing!
We are always grateful when people like Stephen Atta Owusu present ... read full comment
C.Y. ANDY-K,
We are not going to quote this essay in any context, except to say that it is readerble, and somewhat entertaining with its Anansesem-twing!
We are always grateful when people like Stephen Atta Owusu present an essay on an item we will never even attempt, that has some value nonethelss.
The thing is, if a reader takes time to read all the comment, their take aways will include:
----CAUTION
----HA HA HA HA
That is, assuming the reader is from one of the larger Akan family, or has some knowledge about Akans, linguistically.
Case in point - all the talk about "EBOR".
Ha!
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
And we neglected to talk about the benefits to the writer, also!
However, we understand some writers may claim PHD syndrome. But, that would be their choice!
And we neglected to talk about the benefits to the writer, also!
However, we understand some writers may claim PHD syndrome. But, that would be their choice!
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
OYOKOBA,
Greetings!
You know, sometimes the best recorded histories also have Anasesem as elements.
Also, could it be that the broad stroke about "Akans" explains some of the crossed wires you are seeing?
ITEM: Alt ... read full comment
OYOKOBA,
Greetings!
You know, sometimes the best recorded histories also have Anasesem as elements.
Also, could it be that the broad stroke about "Akans" explains some of the crossed wires you are seeing?
ITEM: Although we are no experts on these things, seems to us this is not Asante history, per se, unless you want to say that all Akans use the same words to represent the major concepts discussed by Stephen Atta Owusu!
Following above, what was "white people" called before they came be distrusted and seen "for what they are..."wicked people""?
Paa Kwesi 9 years ago
"ebo" is fog in english, and it never anything to do with the sky such as the cloud, since "ebo" describes the earth conditions and atmospheric condition
"ebo" is fog in english, and it never anything to do with the sky such as the cloud, since "ebo" describes the earth conditions and atmospheric condition
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
Paa Kwesi,
You got a point there about "ebo".
But remember you are a modern man, in 2015. You talk about "earth conditions and atmospheric condition". Presumably, you have an understanding of how and why it rains. Those ... read full comment
Paa Kwesi,
You got a point there about "ebo".
But remember you are a modern man, in 2015. You talk about "earth conditions and atmospheric condition". Presumably, you have an understanding of how and why it rains. Those are modern concepts.
Conceivably, our Akan elder saw "fog" as derived from the sky.
Which makes it pretty close to what Stephen Atta Owusu is saying.
But, as we've said elsewhere, Akans are a rather large demographic group, in West Africa/Ghana.
DR. OKINE 9 years ago
aKONOBA, YOU ARE FOOLISH. wHO TOLD YOU MUNUNKUM IS CLOUD? dON'T JUST CRITICISE BLINDLY. sTEPHEN aTTA oWUSU HAS DONE A GOOD JOB.
aKONOBA, YOU ARE FOOLISH. wHO TOLD YOU MUNUNKUM IS CLOUD? dON'T JUST CRITICISE BLINDLY. sTEPHEN aTTA oWUSU HAS DONE A GOOD JOB.
Paa Kwesi 9 years ago
aburokyiri - in the olden days, the communities have big corn farms. it was felt - since most people did not have the means to go farther and beyond the farms, it was assumed in the Akan areas that somehow the white man live ... read full comment
aburokyiri - in the olden days, the communities have big corn farms. it was felt - since most people did not have the means to go farther and beyond the farms, it was assumed in the Akan areas that somehow the white man lived unimaginably somewhere very very far beyond the corn farms
Paa Kwesi 9 years ago
aburokyire is a far distance very far beyond the farms
aburokyire is a far distance very far beyond the farms
C.Y. ANDY-K 9 years ago
Phew! So much myths being bandied here. corns, just like cassava and many other crops were brought to Africa from the Americas. So whence these large corn/maize farms?
Andy-K
Phew! So much myths being bandied here. corns, just like cassava and many other crops were brought to Africa from the Americas. So whence these large corn/maize farms?
Andy-K
NII SACKIFIO 9 years ago
A FAIR TRY BUT SOMEHOW A LITTLE SHODDY JOB! YOU NEED TO RESEARCH MORE DEEPER INTO YOU TITLE.
A FAIR TRY BUT SOMEHOW A LITTLE SHODDY JOB! YOU NEED TO RESEARCH MORE DEEPER INTO YOU TITLE.
Mallam Kankane 9 years ago
And why was satan named Kwaku? Was he thrown from heaven on a Wednesday? That would have completed your 'story', hahaha!
And why was satan named Kwaku? Was he thrown from heaven on a Wednesday? That would have completed your 'story', hahaha!
Pelicles 9 years ago
Bonsam is the Nickname of Kwaku. In Akan, we have nicknames for all the days. Some of the nicknames are as follows: Kojo or Kwadwo nickname is Okoto. Kwabena is Ogyam. Kwaku is Bonsam. Yaw ( I have forgotten that one) Ko ... read full comment
Bonsam is the Nickname of Kwaku. In Akan, we have nicknames for all the days. Some of the nicknames are as follows: Kojo or Kwadwo nickname is Okoto. Kwabena is Ogyam. Kwaku is Bonsam. Yaw ( I have forgotten that one) Kofi is Tuo. Kwame is Atoapoma. Kwasi is Bodua.
DEACON 9 years ago
IN AFRICAN TRADITION, BONSAM WAS NOT THROWN FROM HEAVEN. THAT STORY IS JEWISH MYTHOLOGY. HINDUS AND BUDDHISTS HAVE THEIRS.
IN AFRICAN TRADITION, BONSAM WAS NOT THROWN FROM HEAVEN. THAT STORY IS JEWISH MYTHOLOGY. HINDUS AND BUDDHISTS HAVE THEIRS.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 9 years ago
The article is a good try but I doubt if the white man was called Kwasi because he was kind, rested or took over from the creator on Sundays. I suspect the first European (Portuguese)arrived in Elimina on a Sunday.
Pelicle ... read full comment
The article is a good try but I doubt if the white man was called Kwasi because he was kind, rested or took over from the creator on Sundays. I suspect the first European (Portuguese)arrived in Elimina on a Sunday.
Pelicles, the appellation for Kofi is Babone (bad child). I know it because as a child, I used to fight over it. I thought it meant I was a bad boy but I was recently told that was the appellation for Friday born male, though I was often called Kofi Babone whenever I did something bad or was suspected of doing something bad. In fact, I was always the first suspect among my two senior siblings. What made me believed that it was associated with a bad boy was that my brother before me was also Kofi but he was never called Kofi Babone even he did something bad. I was generally seen as the bad boy amongst the three of us but in reality I was not a bad boy but simply mischievous, would not let anyone cheat me, fought for my rights and challenge the authority.
Ellis 9 years ago
Hmmm Mr. Steven I like your attempt as you said initially in the article. It give me some fact and but much more entertaining.
Hmmm Mr. Steven I like your attempt as you said initially in the article. It give me some fact and but much more entertaining.
Pelicles 9 years ago
In school, I learnt that Twum and Antwi or Twum-Antwi were or was the first King of Ashanti. In your article you stated that the first King of the Ashantis was Osei Tutu so, which is which?
I learnt a song about the Ashant ... read full comment
In school, I learnt that Twum and Antwi or Twum-Antwi were or was the first King of Ashanti. In your article you stated that the first King of the Ashantis was Osei Tutu so, which is which?
I learnt a song about the Ashanti Kings like this: Twum and Antwi, Kobia Amenfi, Oti Akenteng, Obiri Yeboa, Osei Tutu Opku Ware, Kwesi Obodun Osei Kojo, Osei Kwabena Opoku Fofie, Mensah Bonsu, Kofi Kakari Agyemang Prempeh I and the Second etc. Come back and clarify.
Tuyoo 9 years ago
From the 17th century AD, Asanteman king Osei Tutu (c.?1695 – 1717), along with Okomfo Anokye, established the Kingdom of Asanteman, with the Golden Stool of Asante as a singular unifying symbol.
Osei Tutu engaged in a ... read full comment
From the 17th century AD, Asanteman king Osei Tutu (c.?1695 – 1717), along with Okomfo Anokye, established the Kingdom of Asanteman, with the Golden Stool of Asante as a singular unifying symbol.
Osei Tutu engaged in a massive Asante territorial expansion.[3] He built up the army based on introducing new organization and turning a disciplined royal and paramilitary army into an effective fighting machine.[3]
In 1701, the Asanteman army conquered Denkyira, giving the Ashanti access to the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean coastal trade with Europeans, notably the Dutch. King Opoku Ware I (1720–1745) engaged in further Akan territorial expansion, and king Kusi Obodom (1750–1764) succeeded king Opoku Ware I.[3] Asante king Osei Kwadwo (1764–1777) imposed administrative reforms that allowed Asanteman to be governed effectively.
King Osei Kwame Panyin (1777–1803), and King Osei Tutu Kwame (1804–1824) continued Asanteman territorial consolidation.[3]
Pelicles 9 years ago
If so, of what capacity are these people in Ashanti history, Twum Antwi, Kobia Amenfi, Oti Akenteng, Obiri Yeboah etc?
If so, of what capacity are these people in Ashanti history, Twum Antwi, Kobia Amenfi, Oti Akenteng, Obiri Yeboah etc?
Tuyoo 9 years ago
All them folks were Oyoko "Clan leaders and Chiefs of Kumase", before The Golden Stool established Asanteman/Ashanti Kingdom.
All them folks were Oyoko "Clan leaders and Chiefs of Kumase", before The Golden Stool established Asanteman/Ashanti Kingdom.
ADJEI LARYEA 9 years ago
NO YOUR EXPLANATION DOES NOT TALLY. HOW COULD THESE OYOKO CLAN LEAADERS BE KINGS OF KUMASE WHEN OKOMFO ANOKYE HAD NOT CONJURED THE GOLDEN STOOL AND THERE WAS NO ASANTE KINGDOM OR CONFIDERATION BEFORE THEN? GIVE US THE FACTS. ... read full comment
NO YOUR EXPLANATION DOES NOT TALLY. HOW COULD THESE OYOKO CLAN LEAADERS BE KINGS OF KUMASE WHEN OKOMFO ANOKYE HAD NOT CONJURED THE GOLDEN STOOL AND THERE WAS NO ASANTE KINGDOM OR CONFIDERATION BEFORE THEN? GIVE US THE FACTS. NOT THE LIES BY THE DISCREDITED ACADEMIC, HTE LATE PROF. ADU BOAHENE
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
Philosopher Pericles,
We are thinking that the Asante-Kings'-History song actually represents the record, from the aural tradition/history.
Obiri Yeboa preceded Osei Tutu, of Kumasi. But it was Osei Tutu, who, with Okomf ... read full comment
Philosopher Pericles,
We are thinking that the Asante-Kings'-History song actually represents the record, from the aural tradition/history.
Obiri Yeboa preceded Osei Tutu, of Kumasi. But it was Osei Tutu, who, with Okomfo Anokye, of Agona, had the greatest success in consolidating the Asante people into the beginnings of a Nation, post Denkyira clashes/conquests.
Find additional information on the Manhyia Palace, at:
However, we are not particularly impressed about the history as it is rendered on that page, particularly since this is 2015 and scholarship, (anthropology, ethnography, lingusitics, etc.) have grown by leaps and bounds since the 1940s.
(Note: This is actually the first time we've ever visited the Manhyia portal. On the whole, we believe that it is still one of the most current website you will find on Ghana. That website puts most government websites to shame in its up-to-dateness.
Greetings!
INXS 9 years ago
I remember the song as a learning aid - a mnemonic intended to make elementary school chn remember the names of the Ashanti kings. I don't think it was the aural traditional record. Remember in the 60s, the song ended with Pr ... read full comment
I remember the song as a learning aid - a mnemonic intended to make elementary school chn remember the names of the Ashanti kings. I don't think it was the aural traditional record. Remember in the 60s, the song ended with Prempeh who reigned for a long time. If it was the aural rendition of the history, how could new kings be fitted into the tune, and when would it have started and with how many kings?
We had another song also for the Ga Kings and another for the independent states of Africa. This latter was the tune of the Zambian national anthem which was also Nkosi sikolele Afrikaa of the ANC. Around the time Nkrumah was overthrown, many African states had gotten interdependent and the song was "stable" for a long time. I can't remember what happened to it when the late 70s saw the last African countries becoming independent.
I think the better Manhyia website shows the dedication of individual Asantes to put up a good site for their kingdom. Such dedication is not shown by individuals to the state of Ghana which explains the porous government websites. The govt of Ghana is lagging behind other African countries in the use of the internet. Nigerians can apply and pay for their passports directly online. Not Us! Senegal issues visas directly online - no need to visit any embassy. Not Us! But I don't think our government is more corrupt than those of Nigeria or Kenya. The judgment debt paid to Woyome could've been used to revamp the ministry of foreign affairs web site.
Once upon a time, during the Nkrumah time, we were the leading light of Africa. Today, we're just a run of the mill African country.
And there's no hope on the horizon. Mahama and NDC are utterly hopeless. NPP is a bunch of tribalists who know how to steal in more refined ways than NDC. But it's stealing all the same... To make matters worse they're being led by a dinosaur!!!
mensah abrampa 9 years ago
I've been very impressed with most of what you said until you began the diatribe. Even if you're a snob, you know darn well every ghanaian belongs to a tribe. That's who we are.
Tribalism is consciousness and loyalty to on ... read full comment
I've been very impressed with most of what you said until you began the diatribe. Even if you're a snob, you know darn well every ghanaian belongs to a tribe. That's who we are.
Tribalism is consciousness and loyalty to one's tribe and because of our history and circumstances, the tribal bond most often results in the exaltation of one's tribe above other tribal groups. You and I know that love of one's tribe supersedes our love for any other tribe to the extent where we put our tribal interests above the interests of the other tribes. That makes all of us "a bunch of tribalists" so what is the big deal calling out the NPP "a bunch of tribalists"? Apart from the name calling being very disingenuous and ill-motivated, it also reveals a streak of envy and inferiority complex resulting through over-compensation in exaggerated aggressiveness.
Don't be too hasty, bro, in judging others when you don't even know them. At best each one of us can judge only what we are able or permitted to see. You, with all your frailties, cannot judge the heart or the intention, or begin to judge the potential of others. If we're not self-conceited then we know that we are not too different from each other. Everyone of us is as good as you think you are. And who says there aren't a "bunch of tribalists" in the other parties? Maybe you're unable to see because you wear a patch over your eyes.
INXS 9 years ago
It seems you're the one who may have some agenda which is why you seem to carry things so far as to pour so much bile on my last paragraph.
Nothing in that paragraph says a person should not be proud of his or her tribe. ... read full comment
It seems you're the one who may have some agenda which is why you seem to carry things so far as to pour so much bile on my last paragraph.
Nothing in that paragraph says a person should not be proud of his or her tribe. You are a Ghanaian, mensah, and you know exactly what I am talking of. If it's just pride in one's tribe we're dealing with here, then we have absolutely no problem about tribes in Ghana.
You complain that I don't know the people I calling a bunch of tribalists. That line of reasoning will be valid if I mentioned particular individuals whom you can argue that I do not know on a personal basis. I made a generic statement applicable to a group of people. You cannot apply it to a breakdown of the individuals in that group.
My last paragraph condemns both major parties. The fact that I called one of the parties "a bunch of tribalists" does not preclude the existence of tribalists in the other party. It does not also mean that there are no non-tribalists in the party so described either. The argument does not warrant that conclusion. That's why I think you're adding your own preconceived ideas to the argument.
And, btw, I do not have to be a shining angel to be able to see what is wrong in a party. I make no such requirements of you either, my dear mensah abrampa...who met JB Danquah live... Lol.
Mallam Kankane 9 years ago
I don't think you can run away from your shadow. Abrampa gave you the right answer. Which group were you referring to as tribalists? Not Akans? Just be real and stop running away from what you started. The NDC leadership is e ... read full comment
I don't think you can run away from your shadow. Abrampa gave you the right answer. Which group were you referring to as tribalists? Not Akans? Just be real and stop running away from what you started. The NDC leadership is equally guilty of tribalism. Just look at Mahama's appointees and come again.
You started a very good academic debate but finished it with your hatred for a particular group of people. Try to be objective in your analysis in the future. Well done Abrampa.
INXS 9 years ago
You and abrampah draw the wrong conclusions.
I wrote that NPP was a bunch of tribalists and the two of you draw the following conclusions:
1. I am not Akan
2. I hate Akans
3. I am envious of Akans (abrampah)
4. I d ... read full comment
You and abrampah draw the wrong conclusions.
I wrote that NPP was a bunch of tribalists and the two of you draw the following conclusions:
1. I am not Akan
2. I hate Akans
3. I am envious of Akans (abrampah)
4. I do not think NDC are tribalists
Ask yourselves where the logic is in the argument that draws such conclusions!
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
We see!
You are right about the song. After all is they were in school, singing, and able read, they would not need to depend on the "aural tradition". Unless, there was a Twi version!
But, thanks so much for your obser ... read full comment
We see!
You are right about the song. After all is they were in school, singing, and able read, they would not need to depend on the "aural tradition". Unless, there was a Twi version!
But, thanks so much for your observations on the websites. It is one of the issues that really, really hurt the Ghana development and governance agenda. No if, buts, about that.
Thanks.
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
A good read, we must say!
READ: "...The Akans, especially the Ashantis, have the habit of changing the day names of newly born babies if they want the child to be named after a deity or some respectable elder family member ... read full comment
A good read, we must say!
READ: "...The Akans, especially the Ashantis, have the habit of changing the day names of newly born babies if they want the child to be named after a deity or some respectable elder family member or for some special reason like in the Nkrumah case..."
OUR COMMENT: We are not sure about that one, really!
Our thanks to Stephen Atta Owusu, still!
Thanks.
PRINCEWILLY@YMAIL.COM 9 years ago
Father Joseph, a missionary, was touring an Akan village in Ghana in which
he lived, when suddenly a man came up to him.
"Father Joseph!" the man demanded. "Everyone is black in this
village, but my son was recently born ... read full comment
Father Joseph, a missionary, was touring an Akan village in Ghana in which
he lived, when suddenly a man came up to him.
"Father Joseph!" the man demanded. "Everyone is black in this
village, but my son was recently born white! You are the only white
man within 200 miles! Explain yourself!"
Father Joseph sheepishly answered, "Now, uh, don't judge too
harshly," and pointed towards the goats. "You see, goats are
normally white and that one was born black! It's just one of
nature's mysteries that you have to accept."
"Oh, I understand, Father Joseph," the black man said. "I stop
talking about the white child, and you stop talking about the black
goat, OK?"
kosoko 9 years ago
"The Akans say, albeit jokingly, that when God rested, the White man on Sunday took over the development of the world God had created". This is untrue. The Akans day of rest move from one day to another in the following week ... read full comment
"The Akans say, albeit jokingly, that when God rested, the White man on Sunday took over the development of the world God had created". This is untrue. The Akans day of rest move from one day to another in the following week or the resting day usually falls on the day ascribed the local god or in some areas the the resting day falls on the day of the earth goddess--Thursday. When the Whiteman brought Christianity, it's day of rest with its day of rest on Sunday, 'akwasi' became associated with 'obroni'.
koki 9 years ago
Need to keep to our traditionally names.
Need to keep to our traditionally names.
BOY KOFI 9 years ago
The whiteman is called "broni" by the Fantis because they came from "abrokyir" which means "overseas".The whitemen arrived in the Gold Coast by the sea so it makes sense to call them the "people from overseas".It has nothing ... read full comment
The whiteman is called "broni" by the Fantis because they came from "abrokyir" which means "overseas".The whitemen arrived in the Gold Coast by the sea so it makes sense to call them the "people from overseas".It has nothing to do with "clouds".As for the reason why we call the whiteman Kwesi or John,I think it has to do with christianity and civilisation because they brought us the christian religion and conventional education.It has nothing to do with the creation of the earth.I have no idea if all akans refere to God as Kwame but I know the akans use Efua to call the earth,that's Friday.The Ghanaian mythology has lot of funny details because lot of historic events were not carefully recorded.Thank you.
Kowadis 9 years ago
"Earth" is "Asase Yaa" in the
"non-Fanti" akan areas!
"Earth" is "Asase Yaa" in the
"non-Fanti" akan areas!
BOY KOFI 9 years ago
The Fantes say "asase efua" so we can now see that not all the Akans have the same mythology.Thank you.
The Fantes say "asase efua" so we can now see that not all the Akans have the same mythology.Thank you.
KORKOR 9 years ago
Wow, these facts are great revelation.
Wow, these facts are great revelation.
Oti Akenteng 9 years ago
Dr.Nkrumah was that kind of person.I heard also that Osagyefo was given to a certain player who score an important goal to secure the Blackstar victory.And Nkrumah claimed that he deserved the name Osagyefo,because he got ind ... read full comment
Dr.Nkrumah was that kind of person.I heard also that Osagyefo was given to a certain player who score an important goal to secure the Blackstar victory.And Nkrumah claimed that he deserved the name Osagyefo,because he got independent for Ghana.
Stephen-Pipes Afrifa 9 years ago
Wow what an eye opener.... The article is interesting and calls for the united Akan family.
It is interesting to read and lovely to learn new things..
I'm so much humbled
Wow what an eye opener.... The article is interesting and calls for the united Akan family.
It is interesting to read and lovely to learn new things..
I'm so much humbled
BOY KOFI 9 years ago
The author of this article should have asked the Fantis why they called the whiteman "Kwesi broni".I can say with authority that broni simply means someone from overseas like we say Ghanani from Ghana.Abrokyir is overseas and ... read full comment
The author of this article should have asked the Fantis why they called the whiteman "Kwesi broni".I can say with authority that broni simply means someone from overseas like we say Ghanani from Ghana.Abrokyir is overseas and a native of abrokyir is a broni like an English is for England.Kwesi is just a nick name like we also say "koo darky" for blackman.Can somebody tell me why we call ourselves koo darky?Thank you.
Nana Bosteng 9 years ago
Best to decode, the story must to prove the wisdom of Akan (Asante) the love of the democracy
Best to decode, the story must to prove the wisdom of Akan (Asante) the love of the democracy
enoch 9 years ago
''Ewes never change the day names of
their new babies. " this is not true. research well
''Ewes never change the day names of
their new babies. " this is not true. research well
Nana Boateng-London 9 years ago
Continued to educate them only wise person understood the wisdom of life, hope we meet brother God Bless Ghana and us all
Continued to educate them only wise person understood the wisdom of life, hope we meet brother God Bless Ghana and us all
maame 9 years ago
"bro" refers to the horizon- the imaginary meeting of the sea and the clouds. why not the fantes being the first to call the whites kwasi because they first met them but you rather gave the credit to the asantis?
"bro" refers to the horizon- the imaginary meeting of the sea and the clouds. why not the fantes being the first to call the whites kwasi because they first met them but you rather gave the credit to the asantis?
BOY KOFI 9 years ago
Common sense should tell him that the Fantes gave this nickname Kwesi to the whiteman.The Fantes also say "the real whiteman is John" so what makes the difference?When a Fante says the real whiteman is John,it means the Engli ... read full comment
Common sense should tell him that the Fantes gave this nickname Kwesi to the whiteman.The Fantes also say "the real whiteman is John" so what makes the difference?When a Fante says the real whiteman is John,it means the English are best gentlemen.This has nothing to do with the creation of the universe.Thank you.
solomon Kontor 9 years ago
Thank you so much for this insightful thought. I have never thought of it this way but thankfully, now i know and am informed, thanks once again.
Thank you so much for this insightful thought. I have never thought of it this way but thankfully, now i know and am informed, thanks once again.
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
solomon Kontor,
Come back more often, and try to read wide, in the little time you have.
There is precious little in the world you may want to know that is not on the internet, including translators for languages. The inf ... read full comment
solomon Kontor,
Come back more often, and try to read wide, in the little time you have.
There is precious little in the world you may want to know that is not on the internet, including translators for languages. The information may be offered for sale. But another site will have the same information for free.
The key is learning how to search using a search engine (Google, Bing, etc.), and lately Wikipedia.
Greetings!
Sandra 9 years ago
Wow this is interesting
Wow this is interesting
Ohenenana Prince( Takoradi RDF) 9 years ago
Nice one dere indeed am proud to be a member of this noble region, its de only region wit one common language, woooow de only Garden city in West Africa. Asanteman indeed Ghana is ours
Nice one dere indeed am proud to be a member of this noble region, its de only region wit one common language, woooow de only Garden city in West Africa. Asanteman indeed Ghana is ours
Nii Armah 9 years ago
Ghana belongs to all Ghanaians i.e to say all da 10 regions in Ghana and not only Ashanti's. Jx pinpoint any Ashanti in da Big Six of Ghana. The Ashanti couldnt speak English and were hiding. It took courageous men from other ... read full comment
Ghana belongs to all Ghanaians i.e to say all da 10 regions in Ghana and not only Ashanti's. Jx pinpoint any Ashanti in da Big Six of Ghana. The Ashanti couldnt speak English and were hiding. It took courageous men from other regions who hv had a stinct of education from outside the country to struggle for Ghana's independence.
The guy who wrote the article made soooo many blunders including the bro and the rest.
Ghana belongs to all Ghanaians and not for only Ashantis
Osei-Bonsu 9 years ago
And who told u Ashantis wanted to be part of Ghana? They fought the whiteman for over a century before they were finally subdued. The whiteman didn't ve acess to asanteman until after the 1900s. Yes we may ve lacked the white ... read full comment
And who told u Ashantis wanted to be part of Ghana? They fought the whiteman for over a century before they were finally subdued. The whiteman didn't ve acess to asanteman until after the 1900s. Yes we may ve lacked the whitemans education, but we preserved our culture.
Kobe 9 years ago
...Asante alone doesn't stand for Akan. Fantes spell their names differently from Asantes - Kwesi, Kodwo, Kobena, Adwowa, Abena/Araba, etc.; though there are similarities, of all the Akan tribes, the whites had so much influe ... read full comment
...Asante alone doesn't stand for Akan. Fantes spell their names differently from Asantes - Kwesi, Kodwo, Kobena, Adwowa, Abena/Araba, etc.; though there are similarities, of all the Akan tribes, the whites had so much influence on the Fantes as evidenced by their names - both the people and their towns.
No story told of the whites in Gold Coast would be complete without the Fantes.
I find your article a good read but very basic.
Ellis 9 years ago
Uncle Steven I appreciate this article and thanks for forwarding it to me.
Uncle Steven I appreciate this article and thanks for forwarding it to me.
Joanna (daughter) 9 years ago
Was nice to read. Here, our name days fall on a particular date each year. For example 21.7 of every year is for Johanna, Hanna, Jenni, Hanne, Hannele, Jenna and Joanna. So,many can have their nameday on the same day. The his ... read full comment
Was nice to read. Here, our name days fall on a particular date each year. For example 21.7 of every year is for Johanna, Hanna, Jenni, Hanne, Hannele, Jenna and Joanna. So,many can have their nameday on the same day. The history of this has to do with the lutheran and orthodox church here. Some people say "happy nameday" to those celebrating. Some even buy small gifts such as flowers, chocolate e.t.c. Enjoyed the article! Thanks Papa! :)
RICHMOND AFRIFA 9 years ago
Yes they normally gives such comments but i believe ,it is only the Mighty Man ,that is GOD who really understands HIMSELF.That is great MIGHTY MAN
Yes they normally gives such comments but i believe ,it is only the Mighty Man ,that is GOD who really understands HIMSELF.That is great MIGHTY MAN
Sankye Collins Manakembeh 7 years ago
Well! Well! Well!, I strongly disagree with your research work done. Asante land (s) is no where located around or near the coast.
Due to this, under no circumstance will the first person to see a white man at the shore to b ... read full comment
Well! Well! Well!, I strongly disagree with your research work done. Asante land (s) is no where located around or near the coast.
Due to this, under no circumstance will the first person to see a white man at the shore to be a an "ASANTE MAN".
Also, according to history, the first white men who arrived at CAPE COAST in the 19th century were the Portuguese. And they settled at or around the coast and not Asante's lands. During that period there was a very great divergence or disagreement between the FANTES and the ASANTES which may not permitted an Asante man to come to the coast to be the first man to see and name a white man" KWASI BRONI"
My friend, your article does make for interesting light reading, and that's all it does for me. However, I can't help but observe that you start off uniting Akans under the same umbrella of customs and traditions, but towards ...
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According to "Anansesem", fufu pounding "pushed the sky and God far away from mankind
into the invisible Heavens"!
Nice try, but the article lacks depth, rigor and scholarship. I will give it a JSS grade.
Who told the author that the Akans call cloud "Bro"? Cloud is called "mununkum" and not "bro". That is outright lie and thus introduc ...
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Actually, the "Kan Me Hwe" akans of the Akuapim-Twi speakers call cloud "EBOR/BRO"
A ha!
There is an Akan-Akuapim angle!
Akuapim is Guan long before some Akyems joined them. The word might have been derived from Guan then.
Folks, why take this article seriously? The man was simply passing round folktales and myths which explain some factual ...
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C.Y. ANDY-K,
We are not going to quote this essay in any context, except to say that it is readerble, and somewhat entertaining with its Anansesem-twing!
We are always grateful when people like Stephen Atta Owusu present ...
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And we neglected to talk about the benefits to the writer, also!
However, we understand some writers may claim PHD syndrome. But, that would be their choice!
OYOKOBA,
Greetings!
You know, sometimes the best recorded histories also have Anasesem as elements.
Also, could it be that the broad stroke about "Akans" explains some of the crossed wires you are seeing?
ITEM: Alt ...
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"ebo" is fog in english, and it never anything to do with the sky such as the cloud, since "ebo" describes the earth conditions and atmospheric condition
Paa Kwesi,
You got a point there about "ebo".
But remember you are a modern man, in 2015. You talk about "earth conditions and atmospheric condition". Presumably, you have an understanding of how and why it rains. Those ...
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aKONOBA, YOU ARE FOOLISH. wHO TOLD YOU MUNUNKUM IS CLOUD? dON'T JUST CRITICISE BLINDLY. sTEPHEN aTTA oWUSU HAS DONE A GOOD JOB.
aburokyiri - in the olden days, the communities have big corn farms. it was felt - since most people did not have the means to go farther and beyond the farms, it was assumed in the Akan areas that somehow the white man live ...
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aburokyire is a far distance very far beyond the farms
Phew! So much myths being bandied here. corns, just like cassava and many other crops were brought to Africa from the Americas. So whence these large corn/maize farms?
Andy-K
A FAIR TRY BUT SOMEHOW A LITTLE SHODDY JOB! YOU NEED TO RESEARCH MORE DEEPER INTO YOU TITLE.
And why was satan named Kwaku? Was he thrown from heaven on a Wednesday? That would have completed your 'story', hahaha!
Bonsam is the Nickname of Kwaku. In Akan, we have nicknames for all the days. Some of the nicknames are as follows: Kojo or Kwadwo nickname is Okoto. Kwabena is Ogyam. Kwaku is Bonsam. Yaw ( I have forgotten that one) Ko ...
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IN AFRICAN TRADITION, BONSAM WAS NOT THROWN FROM HEAVEN. THAT STORY IS JEWISH MYTHOLOGY. HINDUS AND BUDDHISTS HAVE THEIRS.
The article is a good try but I doubt if the white man was called Kwasi because he was kind, rested or took over from the creator on Sundays. I suspect the first European (Portuguese)arrived in Elimina on a Sunday.
Pelicle ...
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Hmmm Mr. Steven I like your attempt as you said initially in the article. It give me some fact and but much more entertaining.
In school, I learnt that Twum and Antwi or Twum-Antwi were or was the first King of Ashanti. In your article you stated that the first King of the Ashantis was Osei Tutu so, which is which?
I learnt a song about the Ashant ...
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From the 17th century AD, Asanteman king Osei Tutu (c.?1695 – 1717), along with Okomfo Anokye, established the Kingdom of Asanteman, with the Golden Stool of Asante as a singular unifying symbol.
Osei Tutu engaged in a ...
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If so, of what capacity are these people in Ashanti history, Twum Antwi, Kobia Amenfi, Oti Akenteng, Obiri Yeboah etc?
All them folks were Oyoko "Clan leaders and Chiefs of Kumase", before The Golden Stool established Asanteman/Ashanti Kingdom.
NO YOUR EXPLANATION DOES NOT TALLY. HOW COULD THESE OYOKO CLAN LEAADERS BE KINGS OF KUMASE WHEN OKOMFO ANOKYE HAD NOT CONJURED THE GOLDEN STOOL AND THERE WAS NO ASANTE KINGDOM OR CONFIDERATION BEFORE THEN? GIVE US THE FACTS. ...
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Philosopher Pericles,
We are thinking that the Asante-Kings'-History song actually represents the record, from the aural tradition/history.
Obiri Yeboa preceded Osei Tutu, of Kumasi. But it was Osei Tutu, who, with Okomf ...
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I remember the song as a learning aid - a mnemonic intended to make elementary school chn remember the names of the Ashanti kings. I don't think it was the aural traditional record. Remember in the 60s, the song ended with Pr ...
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I've been very impressed with most of what you said until you began the diatribe. Even if you're a snob, you know darn well every ghanaian belongs to a tribe. That's who we are.
Tribalism is consciousness and loyalty to on ...
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It seems you're the one who may have some agenda which is why you seem to carry things so far as to pour so much bile on my last paragraph.
Nothing in that paragraph says a person should not be proud of his or her tribe. ...
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I don't think you can run away from your shadow. Abrampa gave you the right answer. Which group were you referring to as tribalists? Not Akans? Just be real and stop running away from what you started. The NDC leadership is e ...
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You and abrampah draw the wrong conclusions.
I wrote that NPP was a bunch of tribalists and the two of you draw the following conclusions:
1. I am not Akan
2. I hate Akans
3. I am envious of Akans (abrampah)
4. I d ...
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We see!
You are right about the song. After all is they were in school, singing, and able read, they would not need to depend on the "aural tradition". Unless, there was a Twi version!
But, thanks so much for your obser ...
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A good read, we must say!
READ: "...The Akans, especially the Ashantis, have the habit of changing the day names of newly born babies if they want the child to be named after a deity or some respectable elder family member ...
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Father Joseph, a missionary, was touring an Akan village in Ghana in which
he lived, when suddenly a man came up to him.
"Father Joseph!" the man demanded. "Everyone is black in this
village, but my son was recently born ...
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"The Akans say, albeit jokingly, that when God rested, the White man on Sunday took over the development of the world God had created". This is untrue. The Akans day of rest move from one day to another in the following week ...
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Need to keep to our traditionally names.
The whiteman is called "broni" by the Fantis because they came from "abrokyir" which means "overseas".The whitemen arrived in the Gold Coast by the sea so it makes sense to call them the "people from overseas".It has nothing ...
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"Earth" is "Asase Yaa" in the
"non-Fanti" akan areas!
The Fantes say "asase efua" so we can now see that not all the Akans have the same mythology.Thank you.
Wow, these facts are great revelation.
Dr.Nkrumah was that kind of person.I heard also that Osagyefo was given to a certain player who score an important goal to secure the Blackstar victory.And Nkrumah claimed that he deserved the name Osagyefo,because he got ind ...
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Wow what an eye opener.... The article is interesting and calls for the united Akan family.
It is interesting to read and lovely to learn new things..
I'm so much humbled
The author of this article should have asked the Fantis why they called the whiteman "Kwesi broni".I can say with authority that broni simply means someone from overseas like we say Ghanani from Ghana.Abrokyir is overseas and ...
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Best to decode, the story must to prove the wisdom of Akan (Asante) the love of the democracy
''Ewes never change the day names of
their new babies. " this is not true. research well
Continued to educate them only wise person understood the wisdom of life, hope we meet brother God Bless Ghana and us all
"bro" refers to the horizon- the imaginary meeting of the sea and the clouds. why not the fantes being the first to call the whites kwasi because they first met them but you rather gave the credit to the asantis?
Common sense should tell him that the Fantes gave this nickname Kwesi to the whiteman.The Fantes also say "the real whiteman is John" so what makes the difference?When a Fante says the real whiteman is John,it means the Engli ...
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Thank you so much for this insightful thought. I have never thought of it this way but thankfully, now i know and am informed, thanks once again.
solomon Kontor,
Come back more often, and try to read wide, in the little time you have.
There is precious little in the world you may want to know that is not on the internet, including translators for languages. The inf ...
read full comment
Wow this is interesting
Nice one dere indeed am proud to be a member of this noble region, its de only region wit one common language, woooow de only Garden city in West Africa. Asanteman indeed Ghana is ours
Ghana belongs to all Ghanaians i.e to say all da 10 regions in Ghana and not only Ashanti's. Jx pinpoint any Ashanti in da Big Six of Ghana. The Ashanti couldnt speak English and were hiding. It took courageous men from other ...
read full comment
And who told u Ashantis wanted to be part of Ghana? They fought the whiteman for over a century before they were finally subdued. The whiteman didn't ve acess to asanteman until after the 1900s. Yes we may ve lacked the white ...
read full comment
...Asante alone doesn't stand for Akan. Fantes spell their names differently from Asantes - Kwesi, Kodwo, Kobena, Adwowa, Abena/Araba, etc.; though there are similarities, of all the Akan tribes, the whites had so much influe ...
read full comment
Uncle Steven I appreciate this article and thanks for forwarding it to me.
Was nice to read. Here, our name days fall on a particular date each year. For example 21.7 of every year is for Johanna, Hanna, Jenni, Hanne, Hannele, Jenna and Joanna. So,many can have their nameday on the same day. The his ...
read full comment
Yes they normally gives such comments but i believe ,it is only the Mighty Man ,that is GOD who really understands HIMSELF.That is great MIGHTY MAN
Well! Well! Well!, I strongly disagree with your research work done. Asante land (s) is no where located around or near the coast.
Due to this, under no circumstance will the first person to see a white man at the shore to b ...
read full comment