In early 1896, Asantehene Prempeh I, began his exile at the Elmina Castle. Later that year [because Asantefuo were visiting him in droves and demonstrating for his release], the British sent him to Freetown, Sierra Leone.
In 1900, Asanteman rebelled against the imposition of British rule....the Yaa Asantewaa War of Liberation ensued. In 1900, the British decided to send Nana Prempeh to Victoria, the Seychelles Island....of the cost of East Africa.
Aafter a 28-year exile, Nana Prempeh returned to Kumase 1924. In 1926, he was re-enstooled as Kumasihene...effectively Asantehene.
In the interim [1896-1926], the British had promoted some Adikro to Amanhene status, and placed Kumase Abrempon under these newly elevated Amanhene. There was therefore, a need to educate British colonial officials regarding the hierarchy of STOOLS....and the occupants in Asanteman, in 1926 and beyond.
A British colonial officer made an effort to understand Asante hierarchy, drawing upon European antiquity of the same order.....
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NOTES ON ASHANTI HERALDRY…. An understanding of hierarchy in Ashanti, will ensure peaceful and effective in British colonial administration in the Ashanti Colony.
[Culled from the Gold Coast Review published by the G old Coast Government: Vol. No .2, July - Dec. 1926.]
The following note on Ashanti Heraldry was written by Captain A.W. Norris, with the idea of encouraging District Commissioners to observe the emblems used by the various Chiefs and so trace the history and the seniority of the Stools
From ancient time we find that kings and rulers were in the habit of granting to their principal generals and warriors, some distinguishing mark, sign or emblem in order to distinguish them from those of inferior rank and to act as an incentive to others to emulate the deeds of those who had been granted such honour. The first mention we have of this is Alexander the Great who gave to some of his most eminent generals the right to place distinguishing marks on their shields, but doubtless the practice was in use long before. Coming to more recent times we have the history of the Middle Ages from Henry II to Richard II when Chivalry was at its height and to uphold the dignity of ones crest, coat and war-cry was the aim of every man of Coat Armour. Honours in those days were not bought or sold, and even those of humble birth could by distinguished leadership and bravery become one of the glorious group who surrounded Edward III and the Black Prince. The only difference that money made was in the case of a knight, who if he could pay a certain number of horsemen, bowmen, hobblers etc., to follow him was allowed to cut his forked pennon and become a Knight. In this connection it is curious to note that Field Officers of the Army have the right to wear gold spurs, they ranking as knights with a certain following . Officers junior to them only being Esquires and wearing silver spurs.
It is of interest to notice that the Tchi [Twi] speaking races especially the Ashantis had and have as complex a system of native heraldry, distinctions and honours as in the days above-mentioned. As in the case of European races, the King or Ashantihene was the fount of all honour, and without his leave no distinction or emblem could be made, worn or used. Such distinctions as were allowed were highly prized, and any one not entitled to the use of the same, who arrogated such distinction to himself, knew that it would mean war with either the Head Chief or one of the Amanhene who had permission to use such emblem. All distinctions given were only allowed to be used at the pleasure of the Ashantihene and as a disgrace could be and were sometimes confiscated. It might be of interest to mention a few of the distinctions used by the Principal Head Chiefs from old times.
STOOLS: Only the Omanhene of Mampong had the right to cover his Stool with silver or to use silver nails. This right was given by Osei Tutu to Chief Mampong Boatin [i.e. Boahen Anantuo] for his bravery as War Captain when the Ashantis fought the Denkyeras [1700]. Elephant skin mats for Stools may only be used by the Amanhene of Mampon and Wam [i.e. Omanhene of Domaa Ahenkro]. Little round gold plates on the Black Stool are allowed to Juaben, Kumawu, and Agona – [Agona] these were made by the Head Fetish man Anokye [i.e. Prophet Okomfo Anokye in 1700] as medicine before the Denkyera war.
The Queen Mothers of Mampon, Juaben, Kumawu and Nsuta have the right to put silver bands on their stools. This right was given by Opoku Ware after the death of Osei Tutu for help given in capturing Ntim Gyakari, Chief of Denkyera.
Brass bells on stools could be used by all Amanhene, big Kumasi Chiefs and Chiefs of big towns - only the Ashantihene had the right to use silver bells.
UMBRELLAS: From old time the following Chiefs have the right to use silk state umbrellas - but the actual cloth had to be first shown to the Ashantihene for him to decide that the pattern was not the same as his: Mampong, Juaben, Nsuta, Kumawu, Bekwai Kokofu, Agona and the Chidomhene [Kyidomhene] of Kumasi. Agona also had the right to use a certain sort of linen Umbrella. The Chiefs of Nkoranza and Wam were given leave to make silk umbrellas by Kofi Kakyiri, (Asantehene Kofi Kaakari) and Prempeh gave leave to Ejisu and Offinso .
EMBLEMS ON TOP OF UMBRELLAS: Mampon, a silver war horn and a gold nut tree. Juaben, a gold war horn and gold human jaw. Ejisu, a silver horn and gold nut tree; Kumawu, a wooden horn and gold nut tree.
HORNS Juaben sounds "Amoafo" meaning "from high rank" Mampon sounds "Kotokosafo;" from Mamponhene of the name of Saffo [i.e. Mamponhene Safo Kantanka] who was father to [Asantehene] Osei Kwame. [the horn sounds could also mean Kotoko Safohene]. Mampon, Juaben, Nsuta, Bekwai, and Amoafo, two horns called "Asokoben" which sound the names of all past occupants of the Stool.
NTAHIRA: Mampon, Juaben, Nsuta, Bekwai, Kumawu; a band of twelve big horns called "Ntahera ".
DRUMS: "Prempe" Drum used......Juaben and Akwamu [Kumase Akwamuhene]; Ntahera....... All Amanhene. "Fontomfrom......... Two big drums, used by Mampon, Juaben, Nsuta, Bekwai and Kumawu.
"Boma"...... One drum similar to Fontomfrom …..Offinsu, Ejisu, Kontanase, Nkoranza, Techiman, Berekum, Kokofu, Adansi, Aguna, Bankami’, Esumaja [Asuemnya/Esumeja].
DRUMS…..:"Fa asafo koko"......... "Take your men and fight" drums used by Ashantihene only. "Sika Kukuwa" .................... "Sika Kukuwa" drums which is covered with a sort of lizard skin….Juaben (6), Nsuta (3) Kumasi (2) Mampon (2), Bekwai (3) Ejura (l). "Mirie” drums............. Juaben and Bekwai, used when the Chief is going to Court [ sitting in sate or going to a durbar]…….. Juaben and Bekwai, Bekwai Kumaswu and Nsuta.
GOLD CAP Nsenefokye ....... Juaben. Nkankaramu .................... All Amanhene.
GOLD SANDALS Juaben, Mampon, Nsuta, Kumawu, Bekwai and Kokofu. Offinsu and Ejisu given by Prempeh.
Then, there are such things as Message swords [Akyeame Poma] and the emblems attached to same, such as the Gyegyetiri of Juaben, Fanfanto, meaning "go, fight and die" [implyimng fight for victory]. A land-tortoise, a snail, a snake, - "Onanka" an axe, a ‘sacred’ fish "Adwen".
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