Ahanta people

The Ahanta are a Akan people who live to the north of the Nzema. The Ahanta land has been historically known as one of the richest areas on the coast of what is now Ghana.

Ahanta
Total population
~500,000
Regions with significant populations
Western Region Ghana
Languages
Ahanta,
Religion
African traditional religion, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Akan

The Ahanta land spans from Beposo to Ankobra in what is now the Western Region of the Republic of Ghana, comprised a regional power in the form of a confederacy of chiefdoms which had come in early contact with the European nations settling on the Gold Coast for the purpose of trade.[1]

Etymology

The name "Ahanta" derives from nta, Akan for "the twins".[2]

History

The Ahantas like their fellow Akan people migrated from the ancient Akan kingdom of Bono state.

In 1656 signed the Treaty of Butre and agreed to become a protectorate of the Dutch. This treaty lasted until 1872. This ended up being one of the longest treaties signed between an African state and a European state. The relationship between the Ahanta and the Dutch was at times volatile. This includes when an Nzima chief, Gyan-Kɔne seized Groot Fort Freidrichsburg. Other incidents include one in 1837 when the king of Ahanta, Baidoo Bonsoe II (Badu Bonsu II), rebelled against the Dutch government, and killed several officers, including acting governor Tonneboeijer because of his dislike of how the Dutch operated in his region. He was later killed and had his head taken used for experiments at Leiden University Medical Center in The Netherlands. The head was returned in 2009 [3]

Drawing of Badu Bonsu II made by a Dutch lieutenant, 1838

Culture

The Ahanta people celebrate the Kundum festival. Kundum is a harvest festival and involves dancing, drumming, and feasting. It was in its original state a religious festival that was used to expel evil spirits from the town. Today, Kundum is celebrated as a way to preserve the culture of the Ahanta people and neighboring Nzema. The festival used to be one month long, but has been condensed to eight days.

Ahantas practice traditional African religion, Christianity, and Islam to a lesser extent.

Notable people
  • Nana Kobina Nketsia IV, first African vice chancellor of University of Ghana.[4]
  • Nana Breku Hin Atta,
  • Kwaw Ansah,
Ahanta Apemenyimheneba Kwofie III

References
  1. van Dantzig. Forts and castles of Ghana. pp. 21–24.
  2. https://archive.org/details/englishtshiasant00evaniala/page/202/mode/2up/search/twin
  3. "Dutch to return Ghana king's head". BBC News. 20 March 2009.
  4. Lupton, Mary Jane (1998). Maya Angelou: A Critical Companion. Critical Companions to Popular Contemporary Writers. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 180. ISBN 9780313303258. ISSN 1082-4979.


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