A preliminary report on an excavation at Ahwene Koko in the Wenchi traditional area of Ghana

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.