The Asante Kingdom, also known as the Ashanti Empire, was one of the most powerful and influential states in West Africa.
Although the Asante Kingdom has survived the test of time, the peak of the Kingdom existed between the late 15th Century and the late 18th century, (1600-1900), when it was eventually conquered by the British, after several failed attempts.
The Asante Kingdom was located in what is now the modern-day Ghana, stretching from parts of Northern Ghana, through the Ivorian boarder to Wyddah and Aladdah in Dahomey, present day Benin.
The Kingdom was ruled by a succession of powerful kings known as Asantehene. Notable among them were Obiri Yeboah, Prempeh, Opoku Ware and Osei Tutu.
The Asante people were a subgroup of the larger Akan ethnic group, and their language was Twi.
The Asantes were known for their skills in gold mining, which helped to fuel the growth of the kingdom.
Aided by his spiritual advisor, Okomfo Anokye, a powerful fetish priest, and magician. Osei Tutu embarked upon wars of territorial expansion and was able to annex several neighboring Akan states to the Asante Kingdom. The kingdom regarded all the conquered states as their brothers and therefore they also felt happy and proud to belong.
Osei Tutu and Okomfo Anokye made the Asante Kingdom a firmly solid one and grounded it around Kumasi as it's spiritual, commercial and political capital.
Under the rule of subsequent Asantehene, the Asante Kingdom grew in power and influence. The Kingdom established a sophisticated political and economic system, based on tribute and trade. This system made it obligatory for all conquered states to make periodic contribution of gold and other mineral resources into the central coffers.
It was also mandatory to contribute stand by soldiers in times of war.
The Asantes were skillful traders, and they developed extensive trade networks that extended across the entire West African Sub-region.
The Asante Kingdom was also known for its military prowess. Asantes were very skillful and crafty warriors, hence their several successful wars of conquests. They organized their military into regiments. Soldiers were required to be skilled in both hand-to-hand combat and the use of firearms.
The Asante Kingdom was also known for its arts, craft and rich culture. They were skilled craftsmen, and they produced a variety of artifacts, including jewellery, textiles, and pottery, which the people traded in. Asantes had a rich oral tradition, which was preserved through the use of intelligent storytelling and proverbs.
In the late 19th century, the Asante Kingdom came under attack by the the British, because they were found to be too powerful in the sub-region. And indeed the British could not establish a formidable colonial empire earlier until the eventual conquering of the Ashanti Kingdom.
The Asantes were able to resist the British for several years, but were eventually defeated in the Anglo-Asante War of 1896. The Asante Kingdom was subsequently incorporated into the British Gold Coast Colony.
Despite its eventual defeat, the Asante Kingdom still remains a very formidable part of Ghanaian history, culture and political system.
The Asante Kingdom continues to preserve the luster of its traditions and customs, and the legacy of the Asante Kingdom can be seen and appreciated in the arts, music, commerce and culture of modern-day Ghana.
