Background
It
was founded by members of Oyoko clan of Akan speaking people around
1620 in West Africa. Her capital was Kumasi. Its rise and expansion
attributed to the clan, state building genius and military strength of
kings like ObirYeboa, Opukuwere, and Osei Tutu. Nineteenth century was
at its climax having expanded to inc1udethewholeofmodem Ghana, Ivory
Coast and Togo because of its strong political, social and economic set
up as seen below,
Political organization
1. The society was highly centralized led by Asantehene.Also know as
Kumasihene, resident at the capital Kurnasi,
2. It was divided into provincial and metropolitan Asante.
3. Metropolitan Asante (Kurnasi) led by Kurnasihene (Asantchcnc)
4. Amato states were located in the radius of 15 - 40 miles outside Kumasi, led by Arnunihene
5.
Asante states such as Nsuta, ofinso, Dwaben and Kokofu had a large
degree of autonomy, led by Arnunihene who could be summoned It I Kumasi
by the king at any time.
6. Amunihene and Kumasihene formed the Asante confederation council
7. Arnunihene took an oath of allegiance to the Asantehene and pledged never to wage war against one another.
8.
Vassal states outside the radius of25 - 40 miles from Kumasi only paid
tributes. Amato states also recognized the "golden stoor.
9. Military service was compulsory for all able bodied men
10.
Amunihene contributed soldiers to the Asantehene in case of a national
campaign; otherwise each Amunihene raised and maintained his own army
11.
The kingdom had no standing army. However Osei Tutu introduced, square
military formation and Krontehene took up the position of army commander
by the kings will.
12. By the end of 19th century
the Asante had become essentially an in state and she was able to
dominate West Africa for some time.
13. War
implements were at first spears but from 1650's on wards the coming of
Europeans on the West African coast. Asante sold slaves to acquire arms
and ammunitions for the expansion of the kingdom.
Economic organization:
14. The economy was basically agricultural, producing mainly for subsistence with yams as the staple food.
15.
The kingdom was involved in trade with North Africa and West African
coastal European traders mainly exports were Kola nuts, gold, in
exchange for salt, fire arm, clothes and other European products.
16. The economy was centrally controlled by the king who was the richest man.
17. Tributes were also got from the vassal states lying outside 40 miles from
Kumasi in form of gold, slave and livestock
18. Taxation was also an important source of revenue; they included poll taxes, death duties among others.
19. Slave trade was also carried out to sale off the criminals; in fact it was part of their culture.
20. They also took part in legitimate trade when it was introduced they exported items like gold etc
21. There was mining of minerals like gold which was also controlled by the Asantehene
Social organization
22. The king was regarded as divine; he was the religious leader as well.
23.
The' golden stool' was the most important sound of unity and it binded
people together. It was believed to have come from heaven to priest
Okunofo Anokye who gave it to Osei Tutu.
24. The clan was the basic social, political and economic unit.
25. Slavery was a deeply rooted institution although slaves could rise to position of prominence depending on merit
26. There was belief in traditional religion
27.
There was respect for the Odwiri festival (annual ceremony) on this
day, the Asante feasted, planned and prayed for their nation
28. Kingship ties and inter-marriages were important in forging unity for their nation.
29.
The Islamic influence also existed in Asante which expanded in north
spreading Islamic and Arabic cultures in the kingdom as the king
employed Muhammedans as private secretaries and civil servants.
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