H L Daniel

The Akans H L Daniel

Through a historical sketch that depicts the traditional practices and beliefs of the Akan speaking people of modern Ghana, The Akans: Birth of Two Kingdoms - Part One, Fa-atsew fo recounts the migration of the Akan speaking people of modern Ghana and surrounding areas from the Sahel to Sudan, through the Nile and Niger Valley and the forest of Kong (present-day Ivory Coast) to Krako (present-day Takyiman) where they settled and founded the Bonoman Kingdom. Having lived together as one people for over three centuries, a dispute arose over the lawful ownership of the sacred black royal stool, the talking stool known as "Kasagua", believed to have been taken from the ancient Ghana Empire following its defeat in 1076 AD. The stool, known to have magical powers, also embodied the spirits of their ancestors. Hence the bitter clash between the once united people identified with one kingdom, one destiny and one dialect rooted in the first tonal language called Twi resulted in a split. The split resulted in the formation of two kingdoms - the Fante and Asante Kingdoms of Ghana.