essay

Political and military roles of Akan women

female and male in west africa • London • Published In 1983 • Pages: 91-98

By: Arhin, Kwame.

Abstract

In this article, Arhin discusses the political and associated military organization of the Akan and women's roles within them. Arhin writes that ‘Female stools complemented the hierarchy of male stools.’ Women had a place in the village and town councils and participated in legislative and judicial processes. The chief's wife, OHEMMA, had her own oath, court, and spokesman. She was also the foremost authority on genealogies and therefore played a major role in chiefly succession. Political marriage was an important strategy in uniting the Asante empire. Women played a supportive role in war, encouraging their men on by performing dances and songs behind the lines. One Asante heroine precipitated the 1900 British siege of Kumasi by defying the British governor's demand to take the Golden Stool.

HRAF PubDate

2000

Region

Africa

Sub Region

Western Africa

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Social Scientist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ;1999

Field Date

Not Specified

Coverage Date

1700-1900

Coverage Place

Ashanti; Ghana

Notes

Kwame Arhin

For bibliographical references see source 56: Anonymous

LCCN

82020767

LCSH

Akan (African people)