Gold Coast: Akan Laws and Customs and the Akim Abuakwa Constitution

Abstract

A Glance at the political map of the Gold Coast and Ashanti reveals a conglomerate of small states or "divisions" variously described as consisting of Ashantis, Fantis, Twis, Nzirnas, Gas, Adangwes, etc. To this difficulty of geographical distribution is added the more complex problem of language and other characteristic differences among the various tribes. Weigh these difficulties side by side with the varied historical past of the numerous states, and the intricacy of the problem of tribal inter-connectedness becomes perfect in its apparent insolubility. But a close and intimate study of the general history and traditions of these tribes shows that, besides the difference of language, there is at bottom, only one fundamental difference noticeable between the Ga-Adangwes on the one hand, and the Twi-Asbanti Fanti sections on the other. This difference is found in the fact that while the Ga-Adangwe tribes follow the custom of circumcision, looking upon it as an indispensable mark of manhood, the Twi-Ashanti-Fanti tribes regard circumcision as an abominable practice, and this is logically connected with their abhorrence of the habit, common among certain African tribes, of marking or even painting the human face or body in any permanent shape or form.1 The Twi-Ashanti-Fanti tribes characterized by these general resemblances (absence of circumcision and tattooing) are commonly referred to as the Akan tribes of the Gold Coast and Ashanti. Whether or not the name is justifiably applied to all these tribal states is a historical question which we need not discuss. What it is wished to emphasize is that tribes followmg circumcision are not usually enumerated among the Akan-fo, and tribes in the Gold Coast and Ashanti by whom circumcision is not practised may be correctly referred to as belonging to the Akan group of tribal states. The language spoken by these various tribes, which I call the Akan language, has many variations of dialect, the two> principal ones being (1) the Fanti, spoken by tribes inhabiting the coastal districts of the Central and Western provinces of the Colony, including some tribes or states in the hinterlands of those provinces; and (2) The Twi (Tshi), spoken throughout the whole of Ashanti and by all the other Akan tribes in the Colony. Akan tribes are said to have migrated from Central Africa to the littoral of Western Africa in consequence of the Moorish aggression in about the seventh or eighth century. Their first settlement appears to have been made near the Kong Mountains and subsequently at Takiman, and latterly, on the Pra River in Ashanti. It was at Takiman that the first split occurred. The Fantis marched further south, and after some warfare with the Obutus, they settled on the seaboard, founding very important states-a sort of empire with Mankessim as its centre and capital. Considerable Akan settlements were made at Adanse and Denkera, but following the growth of population there arose a corresponding growth in the desire to centralize authority in a single dynasty. Akim, Denkerra, and Ashanti made rival bids for supreme power, but following the founding of the Ashanti confederation in about the year 1660, the Ashanti ascendancy under Tutu made itself felt. The Akims had by this time migrated into the eastern portion of the Colony further south, and after conquering the Akwamus they established their suzerainty over the territories extending from the river Densu or Rumo (near Accra) to the borders of the rapidly expanding Ashanti Confederation. In the west their neighbours were the Fantis, and they had the Krobos and other Ga-Adangwe tribes on the borders of their eastern kingdoms.