article

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

Journal of African history31 • 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.
Subjects
Cultural identity and pride
Age stratification
Territorial hierarchy
Chief executive
Political parties
Political movements
culture
Akan
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)