Further to this, the researcher with the Hong Kong University Department of Linguistics added that: Marriage customs are more or less the same in all the clans of the Asante people. People of the Agona are predominant in Denkyira and therefore in Asante, Nkawie. They believe their king Asare Nyansa brought all kinds of craftsmen (weavers, carvers, smiths and embroiderers) and let his people learn the crafts (Nkansa-Kyeremateng, 1996, p. 30). 27 May 2005. Agona Abusua, Asona, Asakyire, Biretuo, Oyoko, Asenie, Asakyire and Ekuona form the eight Abusua of the Akans, and the smallest among them is the Asakyire Abusua. Other towns of the Asenie are Antoa, Agona, Nkoranza, Wenchi, Atwoma, Kofiase, Abira, Baman, Denyase and Boanim. Ghana as a country is not only unique with its people, geographical location, food, skin type, marriage, funerals, naming ceremonies, chieftaincy, hospitality, way of dressing, language but most importantly, its unparalleled family system distinguishes it from the rest of Africa and the world at large. Mole-Dagbani. It is important to note that the Akan people honor their ancestors and are proud of their roots. Accra Mail. In one way or the other, I think that our forefathers were very creative and particular with the choice of the totems because a lot of thinking must be considered before finally selecting a familys or communitys totem. 16 September. Their ancestors were brave warriors and winners. This clan corresponds to the Ekuona Abusua of the Akans and the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional area Osabarima Kwesi Atta II belongs to the Kona-Ebiradze Clan. This Clan corresponds to the Oyoko Abusua of the Akans and among the seven clans of the Fantes they all have their own branches and the Anona branches includes Eguana, Dahyena and Amoana. Heres what we know. In March 1784, the Danish Governor of Christiansborg secured a force among the Ga, Ada, Krobo, Akwapim and Ge all of whom had become traditional enemies of Anlo and with an army of 4,000 troops, defeated the Anlo. Akan Clans and Totems In Ghana - YouTube 0:00 / 19:51 ACCRA Akan Clans and Totems In Ghana 484 views Jun 30, 2021 Culture is the arts elevated to a set of beliefs .more .more 6. It is also necessary to note that Akan clans are governed by a chief. [] The constitution of the Republic of Ghana recognizes customary law and usage and thus such marriages are not illegal in Ghana (25 May 2005). They also think that members of the clan are relatives. Children who trace their genealogy to one patrilineal father may therefore share similar family names. IvyPanda, 16 Sept. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/the-akan-clan-system/. The Ekuona clan were the first settlers in Adansi Fomena. IvyPanda. The researcher with the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Helsinki and specialist on the Asante also provided some background information on the Akan people, of which the Asona clan are part: Geographical locations and languages spoken. They are respectful and they try to preserve their traditions and beliefs. Numbering over six million strong, the Ewe people inhabiting southern Togo, southern Benin, southwest Nigeria, and south-eastern parts of the Volta Region of Ghana are an ethnic group with a patrilineal society governed by a hierarchal, centralized authority. The symbol of the Aduana is the Lion and Dog. The other is Bate. They also make important decisions together. They live mostly in northern Ghana and also cross into Burkina Faso and Togo. Totemism was a key element of study in the development of 19th and early 20th century theories of religion, especially for thinkers such as Emile Durkheim, who concentrated their study on primitive societies. Their modern states are Akyem, Bosome, Dankyira and Kotoku. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-akan-clan-system/, IvyPanda. The Twidan clan is one of the clans of the "Mfantsefo" of Fantes and this clan has its totem to be a Leopard which signifies an emblem of violence. The Bate are the junior of the two royal clans. 3 Oct. 1999). Anlogbe is a dialect of the Ewe language, itself part of the Gbe language cluster. Totem: The totem of the Aduana Abusua is a Dog. Published online: 24 February 2023. GhanaWeb.com indicated that "dialects under [the Akan] group include the following: Agona, Akuapem Twi, Akyem, Asante Twi, Brong, Fante, Kwahu and Wasa. 1996. There are eight clans (extended families) in the Akan community. In other words, there was rational interest in preserving the species. Bodomo, A. [2] They make up 3.7% of the population of Ghana. He is responsible for providing for the family and protecting it. The fifteen clans of Anlo include Lafe, Amlade, Adzovia, Bate, Like, Bamee, Klevi, Tovi, Tsiame, Agave, Ame, Dzevi, Vifeme, Xestofe, and Blu. The symbol of the Asona is the crow or wild boar. professional specifically for you? The Asakyuiri group is not numerous. The totems are seen as unifying symbols in most traditional areas which bind the people. Moreover, the Akan people believe they can recognize a member of their clan even if the latter is a stranger and lived in another area (Akanba, 2010). Other towns are Bekwae, Mamponten, Bogyae, Dadieso, Obogu, Asaaman Adubiase, Pampaso, Kontanase, Kenyase, and Ntonso . If any totem animal is found dead its body must be covered with leaves or if possible given a burial. Towns of this clan include Gyamaase,Adanse_Ayaase,Adanse_Ahensan,Ofoase,Abootan,Baworo,Kyekyebiase,Asenemanso,Mprem,Adudwam,Donyina,Yonso,Nintin,Tewobaabi,Adibinsokese,Atasemanso,Gyamase_Kyekyewere,Bedomase,Apaa,Domeabra,Agogo_Hwidiem and Adankranya. They are ready to cooperate and listen to different viewpoints. See More, Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. View all posts by billpurna, Your email address will not be published. Abusua is the name in Akan culture for a group of people that share common maternal ancestry governed by seven major ancient female abosom (deities). This is IvyPanda's free database of academic paper samples. Revelation: The movement of the Akan people from Kanaan to Ghana. These elements are Blood and Spirit .These elements are obtained from your Father and Mother. The Totem symbol of the Aduana clan is the Dog and Fire. The second group founded the settlements of Ho, Akovie, Takla, Kpenoe, Klevi, Sokode, Abutia and Adaklu. For instance, traditional belief systems such as totems and taboos have been successfully adopted to promote natural resource management and conservation in several communities in Ghana (Diawuo . The closest family members are parents and siblings. [Accessed 26 May 2005] _____. This "Abusuakuw" has its totem to be a fox, and this signifies an emblem of Shrewdness. 2019. Each chiefdom is composed of several matrilineages that are established on the basis of common matrilineal descent from a known female ancestor. From the biblical perspective, God used the tree of life as his totem or a seal of covenant between Him and man. The Denkyirahene is from the Agona clan. An onion (shallot) growing industry abounds. The 15 clans are Lae, Amlade, Adzovia, Bate, Like, Bamee, Tovi, Klevi, etsofe, Agave, Tsiame, Am, Dzevi, ifeme and Blu. Taboos: Not to destroy, touch or handle the leopard, or sit on its skin. Newborn Anlo Ewe boys are circumcised on the seventh day after their birth and also named on this day. Other information on whether men are forced to marry their uncle's daughter, the age of marriage, the reasons for marriage, the consequences of refusal and available state protection was not found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. As to whether the use of totems is still useful in the current generation, Ebusuapanyin Ababio said the use of totems would forever continue to be important so far as culture plays an integral role in Ghanaian society. It is, rather, a more efficient way to cope with this particular mode of life in which abstractions are rare, and in which the physical environment is in direct friction with the society. student. On leaving Ketu, the people split into two big divisions. Threatened and Recently Extinct Vertebrates of the World. A researcher with the Linguistics Department of the University of Hong Kong confirmed that the Asona were found in all these towns (27 May 2005). The Ga-Dangbe, G-Dab, Ga-Dangme, or GaDangme are an ethnic group in Ghana, Togo and Benin.The Ga and Dangbe people are grouped respectively as part of the Ga-Dangme ethnolinguistic group. September 16, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-akan-clan-system/. Upon breaking the covenant with God, He pronounced a curse on man and man was taken out of the Garden of Eden. By BigThings_News (self media writer) | 2 years ago. Totem. The Baganda. Their ancestors were warriors. Animals like antelopes, eagles, lions, crows, parrots, whales, sharks, elephants, python, and many others are some of the animals which are mostly used as totems and these animals are not many in the ecology. The database is updated daily, so anyone can easily find a relevant essay example. Opera News does not consent to nor does it condone the posting of any content that violates the rights (including the copyrights) of any third party, nor content that may malign, inter alia, any religion, ethnic group, organization, gender, company, or individual. It is also important to note that the idea of the clan is closely connected with the idea of the family. Retrieved from https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-akan-clan-system/. According to Answers.com, Using an animal as a symbol to designate a family or individual was a custom native to both Europe and North America. They occupy about two thirds of the territory of the country. The totem may be regarded as a group symbol and as a protector of the members of the group. Their ancestors were brave warriors and winners. They are also forbidden to use unprocessed sponge (kutsamado-gbedi). This is majorly because one of the clans sharing the totem maybe a group that broke off another to start an independent clan. This problem can be associated to ignorance, adulteration of culture, improper . Many people in the diaspora prefer coming to the country to experience what the African culture is all about. These totems have so much hidden knowledge to be learnt but most of the youth are ignorant about them. The matrilineal system of inheritance is very common when it comes to this tribe. The original clans from 'HOGBE' (Nortsie) were the. In some part of the western region, the symbol of the Oyoko clan is rat. The falcon is the symbol of the Oyoko. The impression that I got is that the young people of the urban areas are likely to marry later in life and they are also less dependent on (but certainly not indifferent to!) Researcher with the University of Helsinki [Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology]. All clans have their totems, taboos, and clan cults. Today, up to 25 different totems can be identified among the Shona ethnic grouping, and similar totems exist among other South African groups, such as the Zulu, the Ndebele, and the Herero in Botswana and Namibia. When greeted by a person from the Asakyiri, the reply should be "Yaa Ofori nana". Since they are not so many members in this clan.The Totem symbol for the Asakyiri Clan is the Hawk. The ruling families of Akim Abuakwa, Akuapem, and Kwahu Mpraeso in the Eastern Region also belong to the Asona clan. Each clan has certain history and distinctive features. This is the second largest ethnic group in Ghana and is comprised of many different sub-groups, such as the Dagomba, Mamprusi and Mossi. Their totem is the hawk. Having ordered the murder of Ewe elders, he ordered the building of a defensive wall around the city of Notsie. Chiefs for these various towns are selected from clans, that is from the Womans family. Ethnic Ga family names (surnames) include Nikoi, Amon, Kotey, Kotie, Adei, Kutorkor, Oblitey, Lartey, Nortey . Reading the intangible heritage in tangible Akan art. "Abusua and Nton." GhLinks Media The Asenie people believe their ancestors emerged out of the earth (Nkansa-Kyeremateng, 1996, p. 31). We utilize security vendors that protect and I believe in following your instincts and saying No to all who do not believe in you. [Accessed 26 May 2005]. If the content contained herein violates any of your rights, including those of copyright, and/or violates any the above mentioned factors, you are requested to immediately notify us using via the following email address operanews-external(at)opera.com and/or report the article using the available reporting functionality built into our Platform For instance, the picture with a head on three heads, a totem of the Eguafo Traditional Area called Tsi kor mmpam means two heads are better than one or governance is a collective of ideas. In his response to the significance of the totems, he said the totems were made out of the peoples past history, adding that Mankessim as a town has even made a totem of the three leaders who led the Fantes to their present settlement as a symbol of honour. In the coastal areas, the central region, the town of Mankessim is ruled by an Asona lineage.