ASANTE NATION UNDER OTUMFOƆ KOFI KAKARI (1867-1874) Part 2

ABAKƆSƐM BRƐ: ASANTE NATION OTUMFOƆ KOFI KAKARI (1867-1874) - Part 2.

According to Claridge, the Asante forces finally reached their homeland but lost as many as 20,000 men through sickness and fighting.

While they were discussing the many men they had lost in their homes, Sir Garnet Worseley and his men were advancing towards Asante. Some of his men crossed River Pra and started building a bridge for the rest of the army on 7th January, 1874. 

Sir Garnet Worseley sent a letter stating that he and his men had crossed River Pra and were heading towards Kumasi, to Asantehene. He stated further that if Asantehene and his men are not prepared for war, he should free all the captives his men captured in their expedition to the coast. In addition to freeing the captives, the Asante Nation should pay a compensation of 50,000 ounces of gold to him.

Further, he would lead a team of 500 soldiers to Kumasi to sign peace treaty with Asantehene, but before they started the journey, Asantehene should send some men as hostages to guarantee their safety. The hostages would be released to Asantehene after he, Sir Garnet Wolseley, and his men had returned. 

The content of the letter were not acceptable to the Asantehene. Asanteman was not a state of cowards who could be threatened with such a letter. His only worry was how to get his warriors organised to curb the invasion. 

He was not disturbed by the letter because his men had travelled to the coast, fought the coastal states and conquered them, including the forces of the Governor. Therefore beating them on Asante soil was an easy task. So, he sent messengers to the Asante States prepare for war.

However, he sensed some bad omen because at that particular moment, he had news that the great tree planted by Okomfo Anokye in Kumasi had fallen and checking from the date of the letter, the tree fell on the same date. According to oral tradition, they agreed to free one European captive as a gesture that they were not prepared for war.

Another message from the Adansehene alerted Asantehene that the troops were engaged in a fierce battle with him and his men. This development compelled the Asantehene to release all the European captives. He sent a letter through them to Sir Garnet Wolseley that he has fulfilled the condition by releasing the European captives.

His reply was that he should release all other captives including the Fantes and he should also send half of the 50,000 ounces of gold compensation to the General. In addition to the gold, the Asantehemaa, one royal to the Golden Stool and four other royals from four Asante States should be sent as hostages.

According to Claridge, King Kofi Kakari found the demand too much there he decided to go to war. Mamponghene, Kwabena Dwomo, was made the war general and was asked to command the main forces, whiles Asamoah Nkwanta, the renowned Asante warrior was sent to Adanse to take charge of the troops there. 

A fierce battle was fought all the way but Sir Garnet Wolseley and his men, using superior weapons, were able to fight their way through to Kumasi. Hmmmmm

According to Claridge, when the General found out that the king and his nobles had deserted Kumasi, he sent another message stating that if he did not the King or some of his nobles for the peace treaty the following day, he would kill all the people in the city and destroy the city also. 

Following the message, he found the city deserted the next day with only the Fante captives going from house to house, looting. He commanded his troops to set fire to Kumasi. The British burnt down Kumasi that day, the capital of Asante Kingdom. And also looted a lot of artifacts that day.

Asantehene sent his men to make peace treaty on 2nd February, 1874 at Fomena. Compensation of one thousand and forty ounces of gold (1040) was paid on that day to Sir Garnet Wolseley and his men.

Signatories to the treaty were: Asantehene, nine chiefs from Kumasi division, representatives each from Dwaben, Kokofu, Bekwai, Kontanase, Nsuta, Mampong and representatives from the five remaining Asante state. The final signing was completed on 14th March, 1874 at Cape Coast.

It was officially known as the "Treaty of Fomena", because it was drafted at Fomena.

The war which was named "Segrenty War" was the sixth war between the Asante Nation and the British. It was won by the British. After the war, many of the Asante states decided to break away from the confederacy. The states which took that decision included Mampong, Nsuta, Bekwai, Kokofu, Dwaben, and Agona. States like Kwahu, Gyaman, Sefwi, Banda and some northern states which were under Asante declared their independence. 

According to Ward, Nana Kofi Kakari was deposed about seven months after the war. His main charge misuse of stool property.

Piawwwww!!!

This is how we wrap up tonight's history class. 

Not a good end for Asante though but still we move. We will come back stronger, that is what defines us and differentiate us from others as a unique group of people. We are Asantefoɔ, wokum apem a apem bɛba. Kill a thousand and thousand shall revenge. Piawwwww.

All your questions are welcome.

Good night Abusuafoɔ.