Akyem

ethnic group
group=Akyem


poptime=1,000,000
popplace= Eastern Region Ghana
rels= Christianity, Traditional
langs= Twi
related= Akan

The term Akyem(Akim) is used to describe a group of three traditional "nations" (Akyem Abuakwa, Akyem Kotoku and Akyem Bosome) which are located primarily in the Eastern region of modern day Ghana. It is also used to describe the general area where the Akyem ethnic group clusters. The Akyem ethinic group make up only 3-4 percent of Ghana's population but, the Akyem are very prominent and overrepresented in politics and other areas of significance. The Akyem are a matrilineal people. The history of this ethnic group is that of brave warriors and industrious people.

History

OKYEMAN is a traditional area in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Historically, it has been attested that the AKYEMS were one of the first Akan tribes to migrate southwards after the fall of the ancient SONGHAI EMPIRE. The Akyems, according to history were a part of the then all powerful ADANSI KINGDOM, the first nation to build mud houses in their kingdom at that time; hence the name "ADANSI" (Builders). The Ashanti Kingdom emerged and under the leadership of Nana Osei Tutu, they fought and defeated the Adansis about the 14th Century and absorbed the Adansi Kingdom into the growing Ashanti Kingdom. The Akyem nations which were then part of the Adansi Kingdom, broke away and crossed the River Pra to settle on its banks to avoid being absorbed into the Ashanti empire.

Nana Osei Tutu chose to pursue the Akyem across the River Pra to teach them a lesson. That was a big mistake! While crossing the river with his army, he was killed by the Akyems who were lying in ambush on the other side of the river. He fell dead into the river. This was on a Thursday; this brought forth, the great oath of the Ashantis, ("Meka Yawada"- I swear by Thursday). For this, the Akyems who carried out this defeat became known as "Abuakwanfo" or "Abuakwafo", (Guerrilla Fighters). The Ashantis retreated and this tragedy made it a taboo for any Ashanti King up to the time of Nana Prempeh I (circa 1900) to cross the River Pra to the south except their armies.

The Akyems, knowing too well what the Ashantis intend to do after the death of King Osei Tutu, moved southeastwards. As a result of this movement, some of the Akyems, especially the Kotokus, settled in the present day Ashanti-Akyem area. The majority of the Akyems, however, continued to move southeastwards and settled in several areas along the way until they came into contact with the AKWAMUS, who were a powerful nation inhabiting and ruling the tribes from Asamankese to Nyanawase.

The Akyems, especially the Abuakwas, had to fight the Akwamus and got settled in the areas evacuated by the Akwamus. However, the Akwamus left some of their people at Anum Asamankese and Sakyikrom which are today part of Akyem Abuakwa; as well as Adoagyiri, now inhabited by the Kotokus. The Akyem Abuakwas made their temporary capitals in several areas, including Praso, until they finally settled at Pameng. However, it was during the reign of NANA OFORI PANIN that the capital of Akyem Abuakwa was finally moved to "Kyebirie" (named after a black hat used by a hunter using the area as his hunting grounds). It is now known as KYEBI , where the Aduana clan had already settled. Meanwhile, the Akyem Kotoku settled at Nsutam-Bososo area with their capital at Gyadam. During the reign of the great warrior king of the Akyems, Nana Owusu Akyem Tenten, the Guans and Dawus appealed to him for help to drive the Akwamus out of their area for them to enjoy peace. He agreed to send his nephew, Odehyee Safori, with an army made up mostly of the people of Akyem Akropong (the Twafo section of the Adonten Division) to go to the aid of the Dawus, the Guans and others. Odehyee Safori succeeded in driving the Akwamus out of what is today known as Akwapim, with its capital called Akropong, named after Akyem Akropong. Safori pursued the Akwamus across the River Volta, where they settled up to this day, with their capital at Akwamufie. On the return to Akwapim by the victorious Akyem Abuakwa army from the banks of the Volta river, Odehyee Safori and his army, with the consent of the Okyehene, Nana Owusu Akyem Tenten, his uncle, agreed to stay in Akwapim to protect the Akwapims from any further attacks by the Akwamus. To signify this agreement, a stone was "buried" and that the Akyems were to return to Akyem Abuakwa only when that stone had "grown". Odehyee Safori became the Paramount Chief (Akuapimhene) with Akropong Akwapim as his capital of the newly founded Akwapim State. His nephew also became the Amanokromhene and the Gyasehene of the Akwapim state.

History has it that during the reign of the famous Nana Dokua (Abirie) as both Okyehene (King) and Ohemaa (Queenmother), a quarrel arose between her and the Kotokuhene at that time. As a result, she ordered part of the Amantomiensa (soldiers of the Paramount stool), the Asiakwahene and the Begorohene, to remove the Kotokus from Gyadam. This war, known as the "Gyadam War", forced the Kotoku to leave Gyadam. The Kwabenghene allowed them a safe passage and not a shot was fired when they passed through Kwabeng. The Kotokuhene was given land by the then chief of Wankyi, Barimah Awire (the Oseawuohene of Akyem Abuakwa) to settle at what is now known as Oda, the capital of Akyem Kotoku state. Akyem Bosome was also part of the Akyem family from the Adansi kingdom after its fall and moved southeastwards. Land for the setting up of their capital, Akyem Swedru, was provided to them by the Akyease stool (Tarkwahene), which is part of Akyem Abuakwa. During the reign of Nana Dokua, a section of the Juabens of Ashanti revolted against the Golden Stool of Ashanti. The rebels, led by their chief, Nana Kwaku Boateng, were forced to leave Juaben in Ashanti for the south. They found settlement at Kyebi, Kwabeng, Tafo, Asamankese and other parts of Akyem Abuakwa. Later, when the trouble in Juaben subsided, some of them returned to Ashanti but came back again. On the third occasion, the British Colonial Government in Accra negotiated on their behalf, and with the consent of both the Kukurantumihene (the Adontenhene of Akyem Abuakwa), Nana Kwaku Abrante and Okyehene Nana Dokua, the government bought the land for the Juabens. They settled on it under the leadership and rule of their chief, Nana Kwaku Boateng, calling the area New Juaben, with Koforidua as its capital. An annual fee of one shilling (10cents) was agreed to be paid to the owners by the Government on behalf of the New Juabens. This changed in later years to one pound ($1) per one farm land per family, which the New Juabens had to pay to the Okyehene, until the Government of Dr Kwame Nkrumah abolished it after independence in 1957. Finally, in 1852, Akyem Abuakwa accepted the British flag and came under the administrative control of the British.

Ohum Festival

The traditional area of the Akyem is sometimes known as KWAEBIBIRIM because of its abundance in rich natural resources. This area is in the Tropical rain forest with fertile river valleys, deep loamy soil, and fresh fauna. The land is watered by the famous river BIRIM. The river Birim is the source of Ghana's Diamond. The spiritual, physical and philosophical sustenance of the AKYEM people are derived from river Birim. The Akyem do not worship the river per se, they revere it as their source of inspiration, giving them life and strength.

During the Ohum festival Akyems thank the creator for blessing their land with such a magnificent river(BIRIM). The products from the Akyems land and river are symbols which are used to remember ancestors who struggled and persevered to keep the society intact. During the festival the descendants pledge to continue the tradition, to keep OKYEMAN strong and free with peace and prosperity . They then pledge allegiance to the King (OKYEHENE) and his sub-chiefs and elders for their leadership and guidance. This ceremony of thanksgiving to the creator is the great festival of the Akyem people known as . The Ohum festival is celebrated in Akyem Abuakwa in two parts; the Ohumkan and the Ohumkyire.

Art

Religion

Akyems practice Traditional African religion,Christianity, and Islam to a lesser extent.

Akyem People of Today

The Akyems have been very involved in all facets of modern Ghana and, have been and currently are very involved in the politics of the country. Akyems have assimilated under the common Ghanaian identity.

ee also

*Akan people
*Akyem Abuakwa
*Akyem Kotoku
*Akyem Bosome

References

External links

* [http://www.okyeman.com/okyehist.htm Akyem People and History] History and other aspects of the Akyem.
* [http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601-5112033-6705751?asin=9964302614&afid=yahoosspplp_bmvd&lnm=9964302614|The_Akyem_Factor_in_Ghana's_History_1700-1875_:_Books&ref=tgt_adv_XSNG1060 Akyem factor] History of Akyem from 1700.

* [ http://ghanaconscious.ghanathink.org/node/248 Akyem History] Notes.