The Difference Between Amanhene And ƆteKƆkƆƆsoƆ**

By Sankofa Asante

Photo Courtesy: Ghanaweb

Rather than engaging in puerile historical masturbation that some seem to have fallen into.

Just for clarification, and to get some to ponder:

Akyem Abuakwa; Akyem Bosome; Akyem Kotoku; Dɔmaa Ahenkro; Takyiman; Kwawu; Akwamu; Dankyira; Dwaben; Mampɔn; Adansi; Bekwai; Offinso; Kokofu; etc., etc., are all like Class Mates. They are all Amanhene.

Some, like Dwaben and Mampɔn may come with huge entourage and even more gold paraphernalia, but I would argue they are on a similar (though not same) platform as Amanhene or what the British termed Paramount Chiefs.

These Chiefs are “paramount” only in their area. They will NOT create, nor agree to create other Paramount Chiefs or Amanhene in areas within their jurisdiction

Nananom Akyem Abuakwahene, Dwabenhene, Dɔmaahene, Okuapemhene, Akwamuhene, etc., etc, will never create another Paramount Chief. That will be a challenge to their own tenancy. It would be a sham. It will be a joke. It will be a quicksand.

OTUMFUO ASANTEHENE creates Amanhene in his jurisdiction.. He creates Paramount Chiefs. That’s because Otumfuɔ Asantehene is NOT Omanhene. SANTEHENE is NOT a Paramount Chief.

That is the authority given to the occupant of SIKADWA at the founding of the Asante Nation in 1701. This happened, after successfully liberating themselves from Dankyira, and then subjugating Dankyira, and subsequently all others to vassalage. That is a historical indisputable fact.

That authority provided to the Asantehene, is affirmed by the unwritten Asante Constitution.

Pursuant to the Asante Constitution, Otumfuo, is nominated, first as Kumasemanhene. This is done by Nana Asantehemaa, in her dual role as Asantehemaa, and also as Kumasemanhemaa. She does so by initially presenting the candidate to succeed, to the Kumase Abrempɔn.

The Kumase Abrempɔn, the occupants of the major Kumaseman Stools such as KONTI, Akwamu Gyase, and Ankɔbia, are led by Baafuɔ Bantamahene…. the head of the KONTI Fekuo (Division). Baafuɔ Bantamahene acts as Kumasemanhene in the absence of Kumasemanhene.

However, it is Nana Mampɔnhene who acts as Asantehene, pursuant to the Asante Constitution. Baafuɔ Bantamahene is not Omanhene, though like some Kumase Abrempɔn he is accorded protocol Omanhene status at the Asanteman Council sitting.

Once his nomination is accepted by Kumaseman, he swears allegiance on Mponponsuo Sword to Santehemaa, Kumase Abrempɔn and Kumaseman.

Nananom Kumase Abrempɔnfuɔ such as Baafuɔ Bantamahene, Adɔntenhene, Akyempemhene, Asuonwunhene, Gyassehene, Akwamuhene(Asafo), Ankobiahene, etc., then swear allegiance to the Kumasemanhene.

With the Kumase rites having been completed, the Omanhene of Kumase, technically becomes OTUMFUO ASANTEHENE.

This is uncontested position, by virtue of provision in Asante Constitution which makes the Kumasemanhene, the ASANTEHENE. But, he also has to swear to the Asante Amanhene in order to complete the process.

There’s a historical affirmation to that constitutional provision.

When the SIKADWA descended gently onto the lap of Osei Tutu Kofi in 1701, by prior agreement among the constituent Amanhene; Sɛi Tu and his Ɔyoko Abusua lineage in Sɛikrom became Santehene. No challenge. It’s been done SIXTEEN TIMES over 300 years.

To complete the rites, and to complete the Asante constitutional requirements, the Kumasemanhene then swears to Nananom Asante Amanhene. When Otumfuo Santehene swears to Sikadwa; it means he swears to the Amanhene. The Sikadwa is the constituency of the Amanhene (including Kumasemanhene). All their STOOLS prior to 1701; and important articles of regalia and power were infused into Sikadwa, spiritually by Prophet Okomfo Anokye. Hence, it is described as the SOUL of Asanteman; Asanteman KRA. With that done in private, the Amanhene in turn, swear allegiance to him in public, on behalf of their AMAN and people… all using Mponponsuo, and invoking OTUMFUO NTAMKƐSEƐ.

Additional ancient rituals are then completed with the Busumuru Sword at Pampaso, Kumase, to spiritually fortify and strengthen the new Santehene.

He is then said to have mounted ABAANWA. He becomes ƆTEKƆKƆƆSO, that is, he sits on SIKADWA…. GOLDEN STOOL, effervescent, powerful, unconquerable.

ALL the accolades of the various Amanhene, Abrempɔn, and Chiefs of Asanteman, such as: Ɔdɛɛfuo, Daasebre, Ɔdeneho, Ɔsagyefuɔ, Ɔseadeɛyɔ; Okoda, Okotwasuo, Okatakyie; Ogyeabuo; Odiatuo;Baafuɔ, etc., etc., are then woven together as one accolade for Asantehene; Otumfuo Santhene. Please do not add “His Majesty” or “His Royal Highness) to Otumfuo. It is trifling in context and in comparison. He is OTUMFUO. Being Osei Tutu, he is also OPMEMSUO…. the relentless one, untiring man of action. He dares to accomplish whatever he sets his sights on OPEMSUO.

ASANTEHENE therefore becomes OTUMFUO …. MPIMSO, ƆPEMSUƆ….. Almighty.

As ASANTEHENE, he creates Amanhene or Paramount Chiefs within his jurisdiction. He has created over 30 Amanhene… Nananom Yamfomanhene; Kukuoman; Tepamanhene; Asankareman; Bompatamanhene; Mimmanhene; Sampamanhene; Banamanhene (Banda); Gyapekromanhene, etc., etc

And, that’s because as ASANTEHENE, he is no longer Omanhene. He seamlessly transitions from Kumasemanhene to ASANTEHEMANHENE.. . ASANTEHENE. Nobody comes close in comparison. He has NO equal.

He can therefore create Omanhene without bringing his own position into challenge or disrepute. There is no tautology to that.

There are Amanhene. And, then there is ƆTEKƆƆKOSUƆ.

As the Asante traditional singers Nnwomkrɔfuɔ, chant:

Onyankropɔn na ɔbɔɔ adeɛ, ɛna ɔbɔɔ ahennie, ɛna ɔbɔɔ Ahene bebree, ɛna ɔbɔɔ Santehene.

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