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Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Akan

Introduction
Akan people live in Ghana and Ivory Coast.  They lived in Ghana for more than 900 years!!!!!!!!!!!!  They created Bonoman.  It was the country that modern day tribes of Akan people radiated from.  Their music is polyrhythmic and a lot of their artwork is made out of gold.  They believe a supreme being, deities, and ancestral spirits.  They are matrilineal and they have sweet culture.        
History
They originated in east Africa.  They were ancient Nubians and Egyptians.  In Africans Who Wrote the Bible, the author wrote the Akan were Kemetic (Egyptian) royalty.  They left their home and moved into west Africa.  This may have something to with Axum taking over Nubia.   Once they got to Ghana they created the Bonoman.  When people would leave Bonoman they would become their own tribe.  There are are probably 10 tribes that come from Akan.  The Akan became one of the most powerful tribes in west Africa because they dominated the gold trade.  They traded gold and slaves with the Europeans for guns and other goods.  Because of this, a lot of Akan people ended up in the Americas.  Their religion had an effect on the newly created religions in the African diaspora.  Ghana is sorry for the role it played in the trans-Atlantic slave trade so it is giving free land to Africans in the diaspora.     
Language
The language they speak is called Twi.  It has three main dialects, Fante, Asante Twi, and Akawapim Twi.  It is part of Niger-Congo language family; all languages of this family are tonal.  Twi is the most popular language in Ghana.   Akan is also spoken in Jamaica and Suriname.  The Akan invented the Adinkra symbols.  It was created by a king that was captured by the Asante.  The Asante copied those symbols and put them on kente cloth.  Each of the symbols means something.              
Music
They use a lot of drums, bells, and  harp-lutes.  The Ashanti (Akan) got a dance and type of music called Adowa.  The dance is based on the movements of a small antelope.  The dances tell a story.  The music is played at funerals and public events, it is philosophical.                                  
Art
They're gold at making gold and silver jewelry.  They are good sculptures; they sculpted people and animals.  They used gold a lot to make art. Akan Royalty wears a lot of bracelets and rings.  A statue of a mother feeding her child is popular among the Akan people.  It was also popular in Kemet!!!!!!!!!!  
Food
They like to eat fish, meat, soup, stew, palm nuts, patties, tomatoes, peppers, corn, and onions.  They make Omo Tu (rice balls) and fufuo (yam balls),and dip it in soup.  It is a very popular dish.  They love Jollof (stir-fry) rice it is popular in west Africa.      
Religion
Brekyirihunuade is the name of their most high God.  They have trinity as well.    The most high God is beyond human comprehension, so they only deal with the ancestors and the abosom.  Abosom represents nature great diversity.  When people praise the abosom they get possessed by them.  
Abosoms
"Akonedi, Nana Akonedi, Akonedi Abena. Her shrine is at Larteh Kubease, in a Sacred house, sacred groves and sacred streams. She meets out justice and gives the final decision in difficult disputes related to chieftaincy, hierarchy, property, land, family and other major issues. 

Nana Asuo Gyebi is a very popular ancient river Deity originally from Northern Ghana who traveled and resides in Larteh as well as other places throughout Ghana. He is a male Abosom who is a protector and a great healer. It is said that he came to the United States to help the lost children of Africa reclaim their spiritual past.

Nana Esi Ketewaa is a deified elderly female ancestor who died in childbirth. She is originally from the Central Region of Ghana. She is a protector of children and women seek her protection during and after childbirth. Nana Esi declares that we "are all her children".

Nana Adade Kofi is a male Bosom of strength and perseverance and is from the Guan area of Ghana. Nana Adade Kofi's sword is used to swear oaths of allegiance. He is the Abosom of iron, metals and is a warrior. 

Tegare is the general name for a system of Deities from the Northern section of Ghana and is a very popular deity throughout Ghana. Nana Tegare is a hunter who seeks the truth, exposes witches, liars, thieves, and evildoers. He is a healer who is very skilled in the identification and use of herbs.

Tano is the general name for several gods which have their origin in the Tano River. These unusual and special river gods are very ancient and powerful. Their purpose is to maintain a family, social and national order. They are great healers of psychic-spiritual, emotional-mental, physical and social illnesses.

Nana Obo Kwesi is a war Abosom from the Fante region of Ghana. He is a healer, assists with the need for money and abhors evil doers. 

Mmoetia is a system of dwarfs who have traveled and settled throughout Ghana. They live in the forest and are quite proficient in the use of herbs. They specialize in working with nature spirits for healing body, mind, and spirit and to address personal, family, social, financial and environmental issues. They can be playful, mischievous generally, or very cruel to evil doers and those who try to ignore them. They are considered the spiritual gatekeepers."
Ancestors watch over us and keep us safe.  They are close to the creator.  Akan people are close to earth mother.
  
Customs
They blow out an ivory trumpet for certain events.  They have a naming ceremony.  They have rites of passage, so people can become productive adults.
Conclusion
The Akan people are very ancient and have much wisdom.  They have high regard for women.  They are good singer, dancers, and artists.  They have a neat language and symbol system.  They have sweet meals.  They believe in a creator, deities, and ancestors. They have ceremonies for major events in a person's life.  They are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!  


References
http://www.odwirafo.com/
http://www.amesall.rutgers.edu/languages/128-akan-twi
http://www.stlawu.edu/gallery/education/f/09textiles/adinkra_symbols.pdf
http://osibisaba.blogspot.com/2010/10/adowa-music-onyame-nkrabea-nwomkro.html




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