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The Anlo state is made up of about thirty-six major (City) states including Fiaxor, Dzita, Tegbi, Vodza, Anlo Afiadenyigba, Fenyi, Bleamezado, Hatorgodo, Atito, Sasinyeme, Anyanui, Tregui, Evui, Ave-Afiadenyigba and Aborlorve. The kinship is vested in two royal clans, the Adzovia and Bate whose local units at Anloga provide the Awomefia, adhering strictly to a rotary system.. Taboos: Members of this clan must not destroy, touch or handle any part of a leopard, or sit on its skin. Akan Clans and Totems In Ghana - YouTube 0:00 / 19:51 ACCRA Akan Clans and Totems In Ghana 484 views Jun 30, 2021 Culture is the arts elevated to a set of beliefs .more .more 6. 27 May 2005. 4.Asona Clan. The Ayoko clan arrived in the region when Asare Mintem ruled. 30 August 2000. When greeted, the reply should be "Yaa Obiri nana". window.__mirage2 = {petok:".Sk4.EDzWld130h3XYZYCWDWX38F4ATAjGy.xU3Mp4E-3600-0"}; In the coastal areas, the central region, the town of Mankessim is ruled by an Asona lineage. The ancestors of the Aduana clan are said to have descended from heaven on a golden chain. The matrilineages belong to larger matriclans, which are not localized units and they include member lineages throughout all Akan chiefdoms. They also make important decisions together. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Changing Funeral Celebrations in Asanteman, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abusua&oldid=1145161792, Gyekye, Kwame, An essay on African philosophical thought: the Akan conceptual scheme, 1995, This page was last edited on 17 March 2023, at 16:10. Most of the people I interacted with were clueless about the meaning and how to respond to traditional family and clan greetings. 3.Agona Clan. Bretuo are found mainly in Adansi Ayaase, Mampong, Kwahu, Adankranya, Amprofi Tanoso Again, viewpoints of older members of the clan are seen as the most valuable. []. No single Ewe Duko (Ewe State) was able to permanently impose its authority on the others and thereby create a unified state although the Anlo and Ge tried to expand to attain boundaries that would ensure prosperity and political power, according to accounts. Nsona Nsona Clan is one of the seven clans of the Fantes tribe in Ghana. "Press Review of Sunday, 3 October 1999." The Agona group arrived in Ghana in the middle of the 16th century. Other information on whether men are forced to marry their uncle's daughter, the age of marriage, the reasons for marriage, the consequences of refusal and available state protection was not found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. 3 Oct. 1999). This language group covers the present-day Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Eastern and Central regions" (Nordic Journal of African Studies 1996). The Seven Clans of the Fantes and their Totems: The Anona "Abusuakuw" is one of the Clans of the Fantes. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request. It is forbidden to marry someone from the same clan as you. People from this clan are endowed with wisdom. Upon breaking the covenant with God, He pronounced a curse on man and man was taken out of the Garden of Eden. When greeted by a person from the Agona or Anona, the reply should be "Yaa ako nana". Any/all written content and images displayed are provided by the blogger/author, appear herein as submitted by the blogger/author and are unedited by Opera News. [Accessed 24 May 2005], GhanaWeb.com. However, the military defeat of Anlo rather united the neighboring Ewe states to Anlo. He is responsible for providing for the family and protecting it. See More, Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. Totem: Adzvia, a small brown perch-like fish related to Tilapia Melanopleura (Akpa). Violation of these taboos may result in the birth of a or python, an abnormal baby having the features of a python. This clan corresponds to the Ekuona Abusua of the Akans and the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional area Osabarima Kwesi Atta II belongs to the Kona-Ebiradze Clan. The Ekuona clan were the first settlers in Adansi Fomena. This is why they do not marry a person, who is from their clan, but have to look for their partners in other clans. by The totem of this group symbolizes bravery and even aggressiveness of these people. The totems are seen as unifying symbols in most traditional areas which bind the people. The Asakyiri claim that they were the first to be created by God .Not much is known about the Asakyiri clan. If there is no woman in a family, the family disappears (Nkansa-Kyeremateng, 1996). Newborn Anlo Ewe girls also have their ears pierced on the seventh day and named. The people engage in subsistence agriculture and grow crops like cassava, maize, pepper, and vegetables. These totems have so much hidden knowledge to be learnt but most of the youth are ignorant about them. September 16, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-akan-clan-system/. The Akan people are divided into eight matrilineal clans (Nkansa-Kyeremateng, 1996). This is the only clan whose members claim descent from a woman. For instance, the picture with a head on three heads, a totem of the Eguafo Traditional Area called Tsi kor mmpam means two heads are better than one or governance is a collective of ideas. "Okyehene's Programme Out." IvyPanda. Today, up to 25 different totems can be identified among the Shona ethnic grouping, and similar totems exist among other South It i The 15 clans are Am, Lae, Amlade, Adzovia, Bate, Like, Bamee, Tovi, Klevi, etsofe, Agave, Tsiame, Dzevi, ifeme and Blu. I feel very proud when I see my totem which is the crow, but I dont understand its meaning, Kwamena said laughing, when I asked him about how he sees the usefulness of totems as family and clan symbols. Violation of this taboo will result in rashes. Not to eat lae or any spotted animal, or any animal resembling a leopard. Their ancestors were brave warriors and winners. They proceeded to Dormaa where they believe the flame is still kept alight. 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Also, the totems are educational materials in the traditional fraternity that one has to devote his or her time to learn. The Asakyuiri group is not numerous. The Akan people believe that the family is the most important unit in the society. Hence, their totem is a dog with fire in its mouth (Nkansa-Kyeremateng, 1996). They are to be found in the Adanse area and their main towns are Akorokyere (Akrokere), Asakyiri Amansie, Ayaase, Obogu Nkwanta and Asokore. When greeted their response is Yaa etwie Nana.The first known ancestor of the Bretuo Clan is Nana Asiama Guahyia. Looking forward to fruitful visit to Ghana - Japanese PM. Totem: The totem of the Asenie tribe is a bat. See More, Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. One of these sub-divisions went to found a settlement on the eastern side of River Mono and called it Tado, according to accounts. The third group settled in the coastal region of the new homeland. This "Abusuakuw" has its totem to be a fox, and this signifies an emblem of Shrewdness. Its main towns are Kokofu, Kumasi, Dwaben and Nsuta. 1 Issue 5 plant that serves as the symbol of a family or clan and often as a reminder of its ancestry. In some part of the western region, the symbol of the Oyoko clan is rat. This is one of the Ghanaian Akan symbol that combines two different Adinkra signs to make one symbol. If any totem animal is found dead its body must be covered with leaves or if possible given a burial. Since they are not so many members in this clan.The Totem symbol for the Asakyiri Clan is the Hawk. The principal towns are Adansi Akrofuom, Kyebi, Edweso, and Offinso. A researcher with the Linguistics Department of the University of Hong Kong confirmed that the Asona were found in all these towns (27 May 2005). Totem clans. They do not have the same names in each state but each has an equivalentclan(e.g. The remaining 4% of the Gonjas are Christians. Totem: A Parrot which signifies patience and forbearance is the emblem of the Anono "Abusuakuw" of the "Mfantsefo.". These various clans have their founding Fathers, Various totem animals they use to represent them,their mode of greetings,their peculiarities among others. It is also the family from which the current Asantehene comes. The principal towns are Adansi Akrofuom, Kyebi, Edweso and Offinso. 2019. Totems are emblems consisting of an object, animal or 42 FTR Vol. The Gonja are a Guan people who have been influenced by Dagbon, Akan, Mande and Hausa people. This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. It is also one of the oldest kingdoms of people in the country. They are also committed to their clans as well as families. We utilize security vendors that protect and It is also important to note that the Akan people have preserved their major traditions and beliefs. In such a case an uncle is able to make sure that his daughter has a decent husband in his nephew, and since he is also his possible matrilineal successor the inheritance left behind will indirectly benefit his daughter as well. the wishes of their parents and uncles, whereas in the villages the marriages tend to follow the traditional pattern more closely. "The Akan Clan System." 16 September. 5 No 2. Matrilateral cross-cousin marriages are also practised by the chiefs, who marry the daughter(s) of their predecessors in order to uphold the alliances between the ruling lineage and the other matrilineages in the community. in Fante areas along the coast, the Asanteclanof Oyoko is referred to as Dehyena or Yokofo). Some clans are good at trading. The two clans have identical observances except for the cults. 6.Aduana Clan. The states that made up the Fantes include Gomoa, Ejumako, Nkusukum, Ekumfi, Anyan, Abura and Kurantsi. Chapter. It founded Tsevie, Be which later gave birth to Agoenyive, Bagida and Lome, Abobo, Wheta, Anlo, Klikor, Ave, Fenyi, Afife, Tsiame, Game, Tavia, Tanyigbe, and so on. They also have social stratification of their ancestors. Opera News furthermore does not condone the use of our platform for the purposes encouraging/endorsing hate speech, violation of human rights and/or utterances of a defamatory nature. 25 May 2005. Other towns of the Oyoko clan include Kokofu,Bekwae,Mamponten,Bogyaa,Dadieso,Obogu,Atobiase,Pampaso,Kontonase,Kwabere_Kenyase,Sawua,Ahenkro,Adumase,Ohwim,Asankare,Dwansa,Nyaabo,Atweede and Adwumakasekese. When they die members of this clan have their faces covered with leaves of raffia specially woven. Some people of the Aduana Abusua believe that at the time of creation, their ancestors descended from the skies with a golden chain and others also believed that they originally came from Asumanye and they were led by a duiker with a flame in his mouth and gold in his cheeks. Kona-Ebiradze is one of the seven "Ebusuakuw"(clans) of the "Mfantsefo"(Fantes) in Ghana. During one of such performances, Tegli, himself a mystic, was carried to the grounds where he drew the Sword of Liberation, summoned the gods, and pierced the wall proclaiming, O Mawuga Kitkata, wuwo na mi ne miadogo, azo adzo (Oh great God Kitikana, open the door for us so that we walk through). With the fall of the Songhai Empire (c. 1600), the Mande Ngbanya clan moved south, crossing the Black Volta and founding a city at Yagbum.The Gonja kingdom was originally divided into sections overseen by male siblings of Sumaila Ndewura Jakpa including their children and grandchildren. Agona Clan is one of the eight major Akan clans. The first known Asona woman was Asonaba Nana Ano Boadie who gave birth to Nana Ofori Panyin,Nana Nyaako Brae and Nana Abrewaa Dokuaa. The Asenie people believe their ancestors emerged out of the earth (Nkansa-Kyeremateng, 1996, p. 31). Children from the Womans side are considered to be royals whiles Children from the Mans family are not considered to be royals. Traditionally, the Anlo-Ewe have one supreme God, Mawuga Kitikata or simply Mawu. Their totem animal is the Falcon. Their totem is the leopard. Opera News does not consent to nor does it condone the posting of any content that violates the rights (including the copyrights) of any third party, nor content that may malign, inter alia, any religion, ethnic group, organization, gender, company, or individual. (2019, September 16). In ancient Ghanaian societies, totems were used to summon people to the palace, wars, and funerals. The fifteen clans of Anlo include Lafe, Amlade, Adzovia, Bate, Like, Bamee, Klevi, Tovi, Tsiame, Agave, Ame, Dzevi, Vifeme, Xestofe, and Blu. It founded the towns of Hohoe, Matse, Peki, Kpando, Awudome, Alavanyo, Kpalime, Agu, Ve, Kpedze and Wodze. This is the only clan whose members are occasionally spoken of as actual descendants of the totem animal. Vol. As has been mentioned above, there are eight Akan clans. Yaa obi dehye, one lady said, trying to respond to her family greeting, wrongly though. provides information on the geographical areas covered by the Asona clan of the Asante kingdom, a "polity" of the Akan people (Researcher with the University of Finland 25 May 2005): The eight [Asante] clans are Oyoko, Bretuo, Agona, Asona, Asenie, Aduana, Ekuona, and Asakyiri. Descent is however traced patrilineally from the male children of the ancestress i. September 16, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-akan-clan-system/. The word totem or totemic is derived from Oode or Odoodem which refers to anything kinship-related to the Ojibwe language in North America. IvyPanda. Thus, the Akan society is constituted by several clans which can be regarded as big and strong families. These characteristic features affect social, political and economic spheres of the Akan people. However, they also have a lot in common. The Akan people live in the coastal and forest areas of Ghana and Cte d'Ivoire. The eight [Asante] clans are Oyoko, Bretuo, Agona, Asona, Asenie, Aduana, Ekuona, and Asakyiri. Thus, the totem is a part of their history and a symbolic representation of their identity. Their taboos are among the most powerful. News ), Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. Clan definition, a group of families or households, as among the Scottish Highlanders, the heads of which claim descent from a common ancestor: the Mackenzie clan. Totems: Leopard, Hippo, Dog, Crab, Raffia. Totem: the totem of the Oyoko Abusua is a Hawk. The chief listens to some advice of the oldest and most respectable members of the clan. The Twidan clan is one of the clans of the "Mfantsefo" of Fantes and this clan has its totem to be a Leopard which signifies an emblem of violence. GhanaWeb.com indicated that "dialects under [the Akan] group include the following: Agona, Akuapem Twi, Akyem, Asante Twi, Brong, Fante, Kwahu and Wasa. Totem. If the content contained herein violates any of your rights, including those of copyright, and/or violates any the above mentioned factors, you are requested to immediately notify us using via the following email address operanews-external(at)opera.com and/or report the article using the available reporting functionality built into our Platform. Moreover, the Akan people believe they can recognize a member of their clan even if the latter is a stranger and lived in another area (Akanba, 2010). GhLinks Media The Gonjas have their belief in the Supreme Being, 'Ebore', natural spirits, and traditional powers. Other towns of the Asona are Akyem Begoro, Akyem Asiakwa, New Juaben, Akyem Wenchi, Kukurantumi, Akyem Tafo, Akuapem-Akropong, Akuapem Amanokrom, Akyem Kwarbeng, Ejura, Feyiase, Manso-Nkwanta, Bonwire, Atwima-Agogo, Abrakaso, Trabuom, Beposo, Toase, and Odumase Ahanta Ntaakrom, Gomoa Asin The head of all Asona towns is Adansi Akrofuom. Thus, the woman is the keeper of the family. Their ancestors were warriors. Accra Mail. Generally, the members of the group believe that they are descendants from a totem ancestor, or that they and the totem are "brothers". Historians are divided on the movement pattern as some put the line of migration as being Ketu-Tado-Notsie or Oyo-Ketu-Notsie, or Oyo-Ketu-Tado-Notsie. The principal towns are Edweso and Offinso. This clan has its totem to be a Plantain tree that supplies staple food and it signifies excellence and Ambition. There are eight clans (extended families) in the Akan community. They founded Ashanti Kingdom. [Accessed 20 May 2005], Asante.co.uk. Aren't they? It is important to understand peculiarities of each clan to have a better understanding of the life in Ghana. When greeted their response is Yaa Obiri Nana. "The Akan Clan System." Fred Abrokwa. 5.Asenie Clan. Members must not be held by the ear and if held by mistake, the other ear must be held too. In one way or the other, I think that our forefathers were very creative and particular with the choice of the totems because a lot of thinking must be considered before finally selecting a familys or communitys totem. This is not a UNHCR publication. They were also used as a seal or symbol for covenant. It contains thousands of paper examples on a wide variety of topics, all donated by helpful students. Remarkably, there is a specific tradition to choose a chief. The vile Notsie king had also for his entertainment tasked the Ewe men and women to drum, sing and dance through the night for hours. The matrilineal system of inheritance is very common among the Fantes as they claim to have separated from the Asantes who also practice this system of inheritance. Opera News does not consent to nor does it condone the posting of any content that violates the rights (including the copyrights) of any third party, nor content that may malign, inter alia, any religion, ethnic group, organization, gender, company, or individual. The Asona clan founded a number of kingdoms. Researcher with the University of Hong Kong [Department of Linguistics]. For instance, traditional belief systems such as totems and taboos have been successfully adopted to promote natural resource management and conservation in several communities in Ghana (Diawuo . In Ghana, the symbols are usually carved on totem poles. They believe their ancestors came with the Asakyuiri group and settled in the area. The symbol of the Asona is the crow or wild boar. It is, rather, a more efficient way to cope with this particular mode of life in which abstractions are rare, and in which the physical environment is in direct friction with the society. The most endangered clan, family or tribal totems are the grey parrot, buffalo, tree hyrax, lion, crocodile and the aardvark. Published online: 7 October 2011. 1996. The various clans are: Lafe, Tovi, Bame, Adzovia, Likei, Klevi and Amlade. Please like, comment and share for more educative articles. IvyPanda. Taboos: Members of this clan are forbidden to destroy or eat totem animals. The Ekuona Clan were believed to be the first among Akans to build houses and so were referred to as Adansi fuowhich means house builders. The Aduana Clan according to oral tradition are said to have been led by a dog with fire in its mouth. They must not set foot on the creeping branches of a sweet potato plant ti-ka. It is said that more people generally belong to [the Asona] clan than to any other clan. The symbol of the Asenie is the bat and its main towns are Kumasi Amakom and Dompoase. Towns belonging to the Adako clan include Nsuta,Akokofe,Ntonso,Asaman,Adenko_Gyakye and Kontunase. And pupils at the elementary level of education are taught the meanings and colours of such totem. Their ancestors were warriors. Matrilateral cross-cousin marriages among the Akan, [] In a matrilateral cross-cousin marriage a man marries his maternal uncle's daughter (or some other marriageable woman from his uncle's matrilineage). This term paper on The Akan Clan System was written and submitted by your fellow For instance, those who have parrots as their totems are believed to be very eloquent when it comes to speech, hence the local saying that ekoo tse brofo. Researcher with the University of Helsinki [Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology]. 12.1 Akan Clans and their totem animals 4 Source publication THE PLACE OF AFRICAN ANIMAL ETHICS WITHIN THE WELFARIST AND RIGHTIST DEBATE: AN INTERROGATION OF AKAN ONTOLOGICAL AND ETHICAL BELIEFS. THE KING. ABSTRACT This research seeks to discuss Totemism: its influence on the Akan Youth of Ghana touching on the types of totems, the philosophical and literal meanings of the totems and conservation of biodiversity. The Totem symbol of the Ekuona family is the Buffalo. n.d.b. The most respectable people of the clan gather and decide who is worth being the chief (Nkansa-Kyeremateng, 1996). The Totem symbol of the Aduana clan is the Dog and Fire. View all posts by billpurna, Your email address will not be published. One of the seven clans of the Fantes is the Ntwaa "Abusuakuw" or clan. We will write a custom Term Paper on The Akan Clan System specifically for you for only 11.00 9.35/page. Anlo proper includes the coastal belt lying between Anyanui at the estuary of the Volta Lake, and Blekusu located about five kilometers east of Keta. [Accessed 26 May 2005] _____. People of the same Abusua share a common ancestor somewhere within their bloodline, which may go back as far as thousands of years. Clans have their ancestral shrines at Anloga except for the Xetsofe who have their shrine at Tsiame across the Keta Lagoon. In his explanation, Ebusuapanyin Ababio cited an example where a king in the Central Region used a totem that nearly brought a war between two communities because of the meaning of the totem. Though each clan has a chief, he always takes into account viewpoints of other members of the clan. When greeted by a member of the Asona, the reply should be Yaa Ofori nana. All clans have their totems, taboos, and clan cults. When greeted a member of the Asakyiri Clan response is Yaa Ofori nana.Other Towns of the Asakyiri clan are Abofuo,Abrenkese,Asakyiri(Amansie)Abofuo,Kusa,Odumase(Adanse),Benin,Afeduase-Adukro Boaberease(Adanse) and Apeadu. Among the Anlo corrupted as Awuna by the early European merchants and slave traders, the chieftain is the Awomefia, whose three senior chiefs, in times past, commanded the three military divisions of the state. The eight clans are Oyoko, Bretuo, Agona, Asona, Asenie, Aduana, Ekuona, and Asakyiri. It is worth noting that when the Ashantis fought the Denkyiras it was the Mampong hene who was Commander of the Ashanti Army. The Akan Clan System. To American Indians, it was a totem. A very common totem in Ghana is currently extinct in several. If the content contained herein violates any of your rights, including those of copyright, and/or violates any the above mentioned factors, you are requested to immediately notify us using via the following email address operanews-external(at)opera.com and/or report the article using the available reporting functionality built into our Platform The state of Anlo is one of the largest of the Ewe coastal tribes in Ghana. Over the years, Ghanaians have continued to hold on to the traditions handed over to them by their ancestors. Note that, among the Asante people, every child automatically belongs to the clan of his/her mother. It is said that more people generally belong to the Asona than to any other abusua. The Akan Clan System. From the biblical perspective, God used the tree of life as his totem or a seal of covenant between Him and man. The Akan language and its dialects are classified under the Tano language family, including Asante (Twi), Fante, and Akuapem, which also have their own distinctive written forms. The historical values of totems in Ghanaian societies cannot be underestimated. Although totems are popular spiritual symbols throughout the global society, their use in textile design is not so pervasive particularly in Ghana (Steven and Salm, 2006;Studd, 2002 and Von Stamm . (2019, September 16). 30 Aug. 2000) and Kyebi (GhanaWeb.com. professional specifically for you? The Ewe, meanwhile, hid an elder, Tegli, in a sacred grove to solicit ideas from him.