article

The youngmen and the porcupine: class, nationalism and Asante';s struggle for self-determination, 1954-1957

Journal of African history • 31 • Published In 1990 • Pages: 263-279

By: Allman, Jean Marie.

Abstract

This article is a very good analysis of the failed Asante National Liberation Movement (1954-1957.) Allman traces the root of the movement back to the 1860s and the rise of the Asante ‘young men’ (NKWANKWAA) who were the disaffected heirs of downwardly mobile Asante elite. Angered by an increase in taxes and an imposition of fines for petty offenses, the nkwankwaa led the movement to overthrow the ASANTEHENE Mensa Bonsu in 1883 (see Austin, document no. 38.) On the eve of national independence in the 1950s, the nkwankwaa were angered by the under-representation of Asante in the new parliament. They formed the NLM and advocated Asante independence. Allman argues that the NLM was not a tribal movement, but represented a clear bid for power by an economically diverse, but politically motivated group. According to Allman, the movement failed, because the nkwankwaa had no strong class base and their nationalist rhetoric was co-opted by the ruling Asante elite, who were the true representatives of traditional Asante culture.

HRAF PubDate

2000

Region

Africa

Sub Region

Western Africa

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Historian

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ;1999

Field Date

Not Specified

Coverage Date

1860-1956

Coverage Place

Ashanti; Ghana

Notes

By Jean Marie Allman

Includes bibliographical references

LCCN

63005723

LCSH

Akan (African people)