Abstract:
Introduction
The Akan people of Wenchi claim that their
ancestors came out of a hole in the ground at Bonoso
near the source of the Ayasu stream, about 14m
south of the Wenchi metropolis. The Akyeamehene
(Chief Royal Spokesman) is said to have led the
way with his ancient staff. Their leader was the
Queen Mother called Asase-ba-ode-nsee, which
literally translated means “child of Mother Earth
whose origins date to the beginning”. Traditions
maintain that the ancestors of the Wenchi people
had been in the earth from time immemorial until
the wankyie or panta, a pig-like quadruped probably
an aardvark, burrowed down and unearthed
them. From this time they were named after the animal
wankyie, now corrupted to Wankyi or Wenchi.
The aardvark is now a totemic symbol of the Akanspeaking
population of Wenchi. Another etymology
of Wankyi is that it means waan akyi meaning
“beyond brightness.” This is a reference to their
abode in the hole, which was beyond the realm of
light or brightness, that is to say they lived in darkness.
Wenchi traditions also claim that the ancestors
of the Wenchi people first settled at Bonoso before
moving to Ahwene Koko, which became the capital
of the state.
