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Sep 27 10 tweets 3 min read Twitter logo Read on Twitter
THE ASANTE NATION (PORCUPINE)

For the past week, we've discussed the history and origin of the eight Akan families, their totems and Partriachs; limiting it to the Asante Nation. The eighth (8) Akan clans are Oyoko (Falcon), Biretuo (Leopard), Aduana (Dog), Asona (Crow), Image
Agona (Parrot), Ekuona (Buffalo), Asakyiri (Vulture), and Asenie (Bat).

It is only in Asante Kingdom that these eight clans are well represented in all our structures with influential paramount chiefs belonging to one of these clans, with some being the Abusua Piesie (Clan Head
Our ancestors came together from all these Clans to form the largest union of States "Amankuo" within the Akan Ethnic group and the largest nation within Ghana. They created a new name and new identity for themselves, ASANTE (ƐSA-NTI) meaning "Because of War".
After that, our first king, Opemsuo Osei Tutu created a new Emblem or Totem for the new Asante nation in 1701 to cement our independence. The King chose "KƆTƆKƆ" the PORCUPINE as our new Emblem, which has been the Asante national totem since the early-eighteenth century AD. Image
The Porcupine; remarkably threatening-looking, displays an inbuilt arsenal of sharp spikes for use when attacked by an enemy. The porcupine fights from all angles to protect itself. And this is the philosophy of we Asantes, our readiness to wage war on our enemies Image
and never relent on our efforts till the enemy is vanquished earned us the accolade "Asante Kotoko, Kum apem a, apem beba" (Kill a thousand, a thousand will rise) in reference to the Porcupine's quills as symbols of Asante warriors.
It is also believed that the accolade "Kɔtɔkɔ, wo kum apem a apem bɛba" refers to "Nkrane" (Soldier Ants) 🐜. According to the legion movement of these soldier ants, they were described in a saying that goes like "Nkrane krakatenpobi kɔtɔkɔ, wo kum apem a apem bɛba". Image
Or "Krakatenpobi a yɛreko no mpo na ɔresɔ mmɛbɛ". All these titles were given in the olden days to a group of people who fought like Soldier ants (Nkrane).

As a people, we've come together to fight from all angles, and this earned us the accolade; of 'ASANTE KOTOKO'
PORCUPINE WARRIORS'.
So you see, as Akans we come from different clans and each clan has a totem that represents the philosophy of the family. And away from our various clans, we have the Kotoko (Porcupine) as our National Totem that also represent our philosophy as Asantes.
We are born warriors because we were born out of war. Like the porcupine, our national emblem, we fight from all angles to protect ourselves. And we will fight till our last breath.

ASANTE KOTOKO - WOKUM APEM A APEM BEBA.

Piawwwwwwwww!!!!

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More from @Ashanti_Kingdom

Sep 24
The ASAKYIRI CLAN (VULTURE/EAGLE)

The Asakyiri Clan are also referred to as Amoakaadefuo. This is the oldest family among the 8 Akan families or clans. It can be classified as the mother of all the Akan families. Unfortunately, this family is relatively small in their numbers. Image
Some historians say the name might mean that initially the Asakyiri people were in their numbers and very prosperous until the main family members decided to move on to establish their towns and territories, those who decided to stay behind later became Asakyirifuo.
This, they believe might be the reason for the name and also the reason why they are so small in number.

Others also narrate that the name Asakyiri came about when a vulture (Kɔkɔsakyi/pɛtɛ) was seen eating a corpse in a bush.
Read 6 tweets
Sep 23
The ASENIE CLAN (BAT)

The Asenie family or clan like almost all the Akan families, also originated from Adanse, the last among the families. The first known woman ancestress of the Asenie family was Nana Ama Gyata who is said to have emerged from a cave at Bona Bon in Adanse. Image
She gave birth to two children Nana Damte and Nana Dufie Gyampontima.

They migrated to Dompoase and Nana Dufie gave birth to six children at Dompoase including Nana Adutwumwaa and Nana Dwirayikwaa. Some of Nana Dufie's children then migrated to places like Asantemanso, Amakom,
Aduaben and Awukuguaa. From Asantemanso, a section of the family migrated to Nkuroso, near Bonwire and finally to Agona Akyempem.

Nana Dwirayikwaa gave birth to Okomfo Yamoa who later became the chief of Agona during the time of Kwamanhene Obiri Yeboah.
Read 10 tweets
Sep 22
The AGONA CLAN (PARROT)

The Agona Abusua or Family is classified as a brother to the Bretuo family. According to Rattray, these two families both lived together at Ahensan in Adanse and as a result of expansion, some members left to settle at a place they later called Denkyera, Image
in so doing they changed their family and became the Agona family.

According to oral tradition, these people were very powerful in terms of statesmanship With the help of their King Nana Boa Amponsem, they founded one of the fiercest Akan Kingdoms, the Denkyira Kingdom.
The Denkyira Kingdom dominated the trade with Europeans on the Western Coast.

The Agona family members are by nature very good businessmen because it is said that their ancestors had always controlled the gold and kola trade before arriving at Adanse.
Read 9 tweets
Sep 21
The EKUONA CLAN (BUFFALO)

The Ekuona Abusua is also referred to as Ekuo ne Asimpi. This clan is also sometimes referred to as Asokorefuo. It is believed that most of the Akan families originally belonged to this family. Image
They were the first settlers in Adanse and thus the royal family was Ekuona. The Ekuona family members are believed to be the first among the Akans who built houses hence the name "Adan-sifuo" meaning, "house builders".
Sɛ Ɛsono nni hɔ ɛkuo ne Piesie. Ahwenie a ɛda yaawa mu. Ɛkoɔ Asimpi Asare a ne din ase ne sɛ: Asare ne mu yɛ duru te sɛ sumpie.

It is traditionally believed that it was the Ekuona family that gave birth to the Oyokuo.
Read 8 tweets
Sep 20
The ASONA CLAN (CROW)

The Asona Clan is the largest among all the Akan clans.

Oral tradition has it that they were led out of a cave by a red snake and protected by the elephant to their various destinations. It is believed that every Asonaba originated from Adanse Akurofuom. Image
It is also a taboo for an Asona to come across the red snake popularly known as Asonawo, this might mean the death of a family member.

The first known Asona woman was Asonaba Nana Ano Boadie who gave birth to Nana Ofori Panin, Nana Nyaako Braae and Nana Aberewa Dokuaa.
It is interesting to know that all other members of the Asona Family trace their origin from this root, irrespective of what tribe they belong to today.

One of the accolades of the Asona family is that they are so beautiful and elegant.
Read 9 tweets
Sep 19
The ADUANA CLAN (DOG).

The Aduana (Atwea, Abrade, Amoakare ne Ada) Abusua is one of the largest abusua or clans of the Akans. The Aduana people are believed to have been led out of the hole in Asumegya-Asantemanso by a dog which had fire in his mouth. Image
Hence they are referred to as Ogyaasefuo.

Aduana Nyankonpa Sakyire, Aponkyerɛne a ɔma nsuo ne Aduana. Siawɔna ne Aduegyafoɔ.

Wɔbɔ Aduanafoɔ mmrane sɛ "Adensefoɔ" a, ne nkyeraseɛ ne sɛ wɔyɛ adefoɔ a wɔn so bi nni baabi.
It is also believed that the first Aduana had a dog that once was out to search for food and on seeing fire the dog thought there was something to eat for him and in doing so got his mouth seriously burnt. When the owner saw it coming with the fire he then said ,
Read 7 tweets

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