Abstract:
The present can be considered as the product of the past"
The truth of the statement is demonstrated in a study like this one
which uses the genetic approach. Such an approach makes it
possible for the present to be illuminated by the past: thus making
it possible to explain many of the elements in the environment.
This study on Asante reveals that the region had passed
through two major socio-economic phases since the formation of
the Asante Confederacy in about 1702. The date 1702, therefore,
marks me beginning of the first phase which ends In 1901. During
this phase the dominant force (theme) which controlled the cultural
ecology was the Asante political power. The Asante Court controlled
the main economic activities, namely, trade and gold mining; as
well as me various crafts, such as goldsmithing, cire purdue
metal casting, cloth making wood carving. The Court also
controlled the population growth and distribution. Unfornmately,
agriculture was not considered an important economic venture,
therefore, it did not form part of the Court's delliberations. The
Asante political power did not flourish forever. In 1902 this power
oollapsed completely and Asante annexed to the British Crown.
This saw the beginning of the second phase. This phase was
characterized by the establishment of Pax Britanica. Within
this peaceful atmosphere the cultivation of cocoa was encouraged.
This was the era of commercial agriculture. It was this
innovation which made all the difference in the cultural ecology
of Asante. The processes In this phase ushered Asante into
the contemporary by 1945. Indeed, by this date, it was clear
that the basic characteristics of the contemporary cultural
ecology were sketched. The various elements that make each
phase distinctive have been treated with the view of showing
both developments and changes that occurred.
