Asante people
Asantefoɔ | |
|---|---|
Akan dancers in Ghana | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Ashanti Region and Ahafo Region ( Ghana) | |
| Languages | |
| |
| Religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Akan (Agona, Akuapem, Akwamu, Akyem, Bono, Coromantee, Fante, Kwahu, Wassa, Sefwi) |
The Asante, also known as Ashanti in English (/əˈʃɑːntiː/ ⓘ), are part of the Akan ethnic group and are native to the Ashanti Region of modern-day Ghana. Asantes are the last group to emerge out of the various Akan civilisations. Twi is spoken by over nine million Asante people as their native language.[1][2][3]
The Asante people developed the Ashanti Empire, along the Lake Volta and Gulf of Guinea.[4] The empire was founded in 1670, and the capital Kumase was founded in 1680 by Asantehene Osei Kofi Tutu I on the advice of Okomfo Anokye, his premier.[4] Sited at the crossroads of the Trans-Saharan trade, Kumase's strategic location contributed significantly to its growth.[5] Over time a number of peculiar factors have combined to transform the Kumase metropolis into a financial centre and political capital.[5] The main causal factors included the unquestioning loyalty to the Asante rulers and the Kumase metropolis' growing wealth, derived in part from the capital's lucrative domestic trade in items such as gold, slaves, and bullion.[5]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Asante-Asante Twiwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Asante » Asante Twi". ofm-tv.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-30. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
- ^ Sheard, K.M. (2011). Ashanti Warlike Meaning (Llewellyn's Complete Book of Names for Pagans, Wiccans, Witches, Druids). Llewellyn Worldwide. ISBN 9780738723686.
- ^ a b "United Asante States Under Nana Osei Tutu I". asantekingdom.org. Archived from the original on 2015-08-11. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
- ^ a b c "History Of The Asante Confederay » Restoration Of The Asante". asantekingdom.org. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2015-08-01.