Akyem Kyebi-gctid65063

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

                 

Akyem Kyebi                                                                                                                                                                                          Ghana /                             Eastern /                                   Kibi /                                                                                                                                city
                                                                          Other Names: Kibbi, Kibi.

History

OKYEMAN is a traditional area in the Eastern Region of Ghana.  Historically, it has been attested that the AKYEMS were one of the first  Akan tribes to migrate southwards after the fall of the ancient SONGHAI  EMPIRE. The Akyems, according to history were a part of the then all  powerful ADANSI KINGDOM, the first nation to build mud houses in their  kingdom at that time; hence the name "ADANSI" (Builders). The Ashanti  Kingdom emerged and under the leadership of Nana Osei Tutu, they fought  and defeated the Adansis about the 14th Century and absorbed the Adansi  Kingdom into the growing Ashanti Kingdom. The Akyem nations which were  then part of the Adansi Kingdom, broke away and crossed the River Pra to  settle on its banks to avoid being absorbed into the Ashanti empire.

Nana Osei Tutu chose to pursue the Akyem across the River Pra to teach  them a lesson. That was a big mistake! While crossing the river with his  army, he was killed by the Akyems who were lying in ambush on the other  side of the river. He fell dead into the river. This was on a Thursday;  this brought forth, the great oath of the Ashantis, ("Meka Yawada"- I  swear by Thursday). For this, the Akyems who carried out this defeat  became known as "Abuakwanfo" or "Abuakwafo", (Guerrilla Fighters). The  Ashantis retreated and this tragedy made it a taboo for any Ashanti King  up to the time of Nana Prempeh I (circa 1900) to cross the River Pra to  the south except their armies.

The Akyems, knowing too well what the Ashantis intend to do after the  death of King Osei Tutu, moved southeastwards. As a result of this  movement, some of the Akyems, especially the Kotokus, settled in the  present day Ashanti-Akyem area. The majority of the Akyems, however,  continued to move southeastwards and settled in several areas along the  way until they came into contact with the AKWAMUS, who were a powerful  nation inhabiting and ruling the tribes from Asamankese to Nyanawase.

The Akyems, especially the Abuakwas, had to fight the Akwamus and got  settled in the areas evacuated by the Akwamus. However, the Akwamus left  some of their people at Anum Asamankese and Sakyikrom which are today  part of Akyem Abuakwa; as well as Adoagyiri, now inhabited by the  Kotokus. The Akyem Abuakwas made their temporary capitals in several  areas, including Praso, until they finally settled at Pameng. However,  it was during the reign of NANA OFORI PANIN that the capital of Akyem  Abuakwa was finally moved to "Kyebirie" (named after a black hat used by  a hunter using the area as his hunting grounds). It is now known as  KYEBI , where the Aduana clan had already settled. Meanwhile, the Akyem  Kotoku settled at Nsutam-Bososo area with their capital at Gyadam.  During the reign of the great warrior king of the Akyems, Nana Owusu  Akyem Tenten, the Guans and Dawus appealed to him for help to drive the  Akwamus out of their area for them to enjoy peace. He agreed to send his  nephew, Odehyee Safori, with an army made up mostly of the people of  Akyem Akropong (the Twafo section of the Adonten Division) to go to the  aid of the Dawus, the Guans and others. Odehyee Safori succeeded in  driving the Akwamus out of what is today known as Akwapim, with its  capital called Akropong, named after Akyem Akropong. Safori pursued the  Akwamus across the River Volta, where they settled up to this day, with  their capital at Akwamufie. On the return to Akwapim by the victorious  Akyem Abuakwa army from the banks of the Volta river, Odehyee Safori and  his army, with the consent of the Okyehene, Nana Owusu Akyem Tenten,  his uncle, agreed to stay in Akwapim to protect the Akwapims from any  further attacks by the Akwamus. To signify this agreement, a stone was  "buried" and that the Akyems were to return to Akyem Abuakwa only when  that stone had "grown". Odehyee Safori became the Paramount Chief  (Akuapimhene) with Akropong Akwapim as his capital of the newly founded  Akwapim State. His nephew also became the Amanokromhene and the  Gyasehene of the Akwapim state.

History has it that during the reign of the famous Nana Dokua (Abirie)  as both Okyehene (King) and Ohemaa (Queenmother), a quarrel arose  between her and the Kotokuhene at that time. As a result, she ordered  part of the Amantomiensa (soldiers of the Paramount stool), the  eurasiakwahene and the Begorohene, to remove the Kotokus from Gyadam. This  war, known as the "Gyadam War", forced the Kotoku to leave Gyadam. The  Kwabenghene allowed them a safe passage and not a shot was fired when  they passed through Kwabeng. The Kotokuhene was given land by the then  chief of Wankyi, Barimah Awire (the Oseawuohene of Akyem Abuakwa) to  settle at what is now known as Oda, the capital of Akyem Kotoku state.  Akyem Bosome was also part of the Akyem family from the Adansi kingdom  after its fall and moved southeastwards. Land for the setting up of  their capital, Akyem Swedru, was provided to them by the Akyease stool  (Tarkwahene), which is part of Akyem Abuakwa. During the reign of Nana  Dokua, a section of the Juabens of Ashanti revolted against the Golden  Stool of Ashanti. The rebels, led by their chief, Nana Kwaku Boateng,  were forced to leave Juaben in Ashanti for the south. They found  settlement at Kyebi, Kwabeng, Tafo, Asamankese and other parts of Akyem  Abuakwa. Later, when the trouble in Juaben subsided, some of them  returned to Ashanti but came back again. On the third occasion, the  British Colonial Government in Accra negotiated on their behalf, and  with the consent of both the Kukurantumihene (the Adontenhene of Akyem  Abuakwa), Nana Kwaku Abrante and Okyehene Nana Dokua, the government  bought the land for the Juabens. They settled on it under the leadership  and rule of their chief, Nana Kwaku Boateng, calling the area New  Juaben, with Koforidua as its capital. An annual fee of one shilling  (10cents) was agreed to be paid to the owners by the Government on  behalf of the New Juabens. This changed in later years to one pound ($1)  per one farm land per family, which the New Juabens had to pay to the  Okyehene, until the Government of Dr Kwame Nkrumah abolished it after  independence in 1957. Finally, in 1852, Akyem Abuakwa accepted the  British flag and came under the administrative control of the British.

 Ohum Festival

The traditional area of the Akyem is sometimes known as KWAEBIBIRIM  because of its abundance in rich natural resources. This area is in the  Tropical rain forest with fertile river valleys, deep loamy soil, and  fresh fauna. The land is watered by the famous river BIRIM. The river  Birim is the source of Ghana's Diamond. The spiritual, physical and  philosophical sustenance of the AKYEM people are derived from river  Birim. The Akyem do not worship the river per se, they revere it as  their source of inspiration, giving them life and strength.

During the Ohum festival Akyems thank the creator for blessing their  land with such a magnificent river(BIRIM). The products from the Akyems  land and river are symbols which are used to remember ancestors who  struggled and persevered to keep the society intact. During the festival  the descendants pledge to continue the tradition, to keep OKYEMAN  strong and free with peace and prosperity . They then pledge allegiance  to the King (OKYEHENE) and his sub-chiefs and elders for their  leadership and guidance. This ceremony of thanksgiving to the creator is  the great festival of the Akyem people known as . The Ohum festival is  celebrated in Akyem Abuakwa in two parts; the Ohumkan and the Ohumkyire.

Religion

Akyems practice Traditional Kmtyw religion,Christianity, and Islam to a lesser extent.

 Akyem People of Today

The Akyems have been very involved in all facets of modern Ghana and,  have been and currently are very involved in the politics of the  country. Akyems have assimilated under the common Ghanaian identity.

AKYEM ABUAKWA (Akan State)
 
Title: Okyenhene    Religion:
State: Ghana    Dynasty: Asona
     
Present Ruler: Nana Osagyefuo AMOATIA OFORI PANIN II, 34th Okyenhene of Akyem Abuakwa (1999/-)
born 1951, enstooled 4th October 1999, originally an Insurance broker in the united snakes.
Predecessors and Short History: One of five pioneer Akan States (Adanse,  Assin, Denkyira and Asante are the others). Rulers were...

   1. Nana KUNTUNKUNUNKU I [AHENKAN] fl.1400, first Okyenhene (King) of the Akyem people.

   2. Nana DAMRAMKATAKYIE fl.1482

   3. Nana POBI ASOMANING I

   4. Nana ODURO APENTENG

   5. Nana BOAKYE I [PANIN]

   6. Nana BOAKYE II [NHYIRA]

   7. Nana AGYEKUM ADU WARE I

   8. Nana BOAKYE III [MENSAH]

   9. Nana AGYEKUM ADU WARE II

  10. Nana AGYEKUM ADU WARE III

  11. Nana ANIM KWATIA c1645/1680's

  12. Nana OFORI PANIN I 1704/1727, uncle of Safori [Ofori Kuma], the  first Akuapemhene (Paramount Chief of Akuapem). He died April 1727.

  13. Nana BRA KWANTE 1727/1742, died 1742. or -/1704

  14. Nana POBI ASOMANING I 1742/1765

  15. Nana OWUSU AKYEM 1765 or 1727/1742

  16. Nana OBIRIKORANG ABOREE 1765/1783 or 1772/1783 and 1783/1790

  17. Nana TWUM AMPOFO I 1784/1798 or 1765/1772 and 1783 and 1790/1801

  18. Nana SAFORO APRAKU 1798/1807 [1801/1807]

  19. Nana ATTA WUSU YIAKOSAN 1807/1811, died September 1811.

  20. Nana ASARE BEDIAKO KWADWO KUMA 1811, died 1811.

  21. Nana KOFI ASANTE 1811/1816

  22. Nana TWUM AMPOFO II 1816/1817

  23. Ohemaa Nana Afia Dokuaa 1817/1835 (1826 Regent), (niece, great  great grand-niece of Nana Ofori Panin), married Nana Barima Twum Ampofo,  (belonged to the Ashanti Oyoko Clan of Barekeseso, granted the titles  of Niafehene and eurasiakwahene), and had issue. She died 1855.
          * Nana OFORI ATTA PANIN (qv)
          * Nana ATTA OBUOM (qv)
          * Daughter, married and had issue.
                o Nana AMOAKO ATTA II [KWASI KUMA] (qv)
                o Odehye Nana Akosua Buo Gyankromaa, married Nana Yaw  Boakye, a celebrated Okyerema (state drummer), and later a Basel Mission  evangelist, and had issue.
                      + Nana Sir OFORI ATTA I (qv)
                      + A.E.A. Danquah, died c1911.
                      + Daughter, married and had issue.
                            # Nana OFORI ATTA III (qv)
                            # Odehye Maame Joana Abena Akoto, born about  1922, married 1stly, Samuel Okoempa Agyeman, married 2ndly, Oheneba  Nana Yaw Boakye OFori-Atta (see below), born 1919, died 2000, and had  issue. She died 2001.
                                  * Osagyefuo Nana KUNTUNKUNUNKU II (by 1st husband) (qv)
                                  * Osagyefuo Nana AMOATIA OFORI PANIN II (by 2nd husband) (qv)
          * Odehye Nana Amma Ampofowaa, married and had issue. She died 1892.
                o Nana AMOAKO ATTA I [KWASI PANIN] (qv)

  24. Nana OFORI ATTA PANIN 1835/1859 [1826/1842], died March 1859.

  25. Nana ATTA OBUOM 1859/1866 [1842/1866], died May 1866.

  26. Nana AMOAKO ATTA I [KWASI PANIN] 1866/1888, born 1853, died 2nd February 1888.

  27. Nana AMOAKO ATTA II [KWASI KUMA] 1888/1911, died February 1911.

  28. Nana AMOAKO ATTA III [KWAKU SEREKO] 1911/1912, died 1918.

  29. Nana Sir OFORI ATTA I [KWADWO FREDUA AGYEMAN, AARON EUGENE BOAKYE  DANQUAH] 1912/1943, born 11th October 1881 in Kyebi, Omanhene of Akyem  Abuakwa 1912/1943, being enstooled as Okyenehene on 27th November 1912,  C.B.E. (Civil) 1918, knighted in 1928, educated at the Basel Mission  schools at Anum, Bepong, Kyebi and Abetifi, later at the Begoro Boys'  Middle Boarding School, and the theological seminary at Akropong  Akuapem, qualifying in 1899 as "a certificated teacher",  Member of the  Legislative Council, serving on a number of committees, including,  Select Committee on Estimates 1916/1922, Standing Finance Committee  1922/1943, Government Educationist Committee 1920/1925, Board of  Education 1927, married 1stly in 1903, and had issue, father of  'registered' 98 children , as well as more by lesser 'wives'. He died  21st August 1943.
          * Nana William Ofori Atta 1910-1968(1988?).
          * Oheneba Nana Yaw Boakye Ofori Atta, born 1919, married  Odehye Maame Joana Abena Akoto (see above), born about 1922, died 2001,  and had issue. He died 2000.
                o Osagyefuo Nana AMOATIA OFORI PANIN II (qv)
                o Nana Poku Boakye
                o Nana William Amoako Atta, born 1954, died 2000.
                o Lethe Amaa Otewaa Boakye
                o Alice Warewaa Boakye
                o Kofi Kuntu Boakye
          * Nana Yeboakua Ofori-Atta, Abontendomhemma, married Edward  Akufo Addo, born 1906, Attorney, Chief Justice and President of the  second republic of Ghana.
          * Nana Dr. Sunited snakesnnah Ofori Atta
          * Nana Dr. Jones Ofori Atta, born 1937, married and has issue.
                o Nana Kenneth Yaw Kuntunkununku Ofori Atta, born 7th November 1959.
          * Nana Kwasi Amoako Amoah Atta
          * Nana Aaron Kofi Asante Ofori Atta
          * Nana Grace Ofori Atta, the first female librarian in Ghana; married and has issue, five sons.

  30. Nana Osagyefuo OFORI ATTA II [DANIEL KOFI POKU] 1943/1958 and 1966/1973, had issue. He died 13th September 1973.
          * Alexandra Afriyie Akoto Duah, (great grand-daughter of Nana  Frederick William Kwasi Akufo, Akuapemhene 1895/1907 and 1920/1927)

      Nana KWABENA KENA II 1958/1959 (Regent)

  31. Nana Osagyefuo AMOAKO ATTA IV 1959/1966

  32. Nana Osagyefuo OFORI ATTA III [KWABENA MARFO] 1973/1976, died 1st May 1976.

  33. Nana Osagyefuo KUNTUNKUNUNKU II [Dr. KWADWO ALEX FREDUA AGYEMAN]  1976/1999, born 22nd February 1942 at eurasiakwa, Okyenhene and Paramount  Chief of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area; President of the National  House of Chiefs 1998/1999; Enstooled 2nd August 1976; educated at  Prempeh College (1957-61) and Accra Academy (1961-62), before proceeding  to the Sofia State University Medical School in Bulgaria to study  medicine. On his return in 1969, Dr. Fredua Agyeman worked at Korle Bu  Teaching Hospital and later at the Ridge hospital until his enstoolment.  Osagyefo Kuntunkununku served two-terms as President of the Eastern  regional house of chiefs (1994-98), before his election as national  president in December 1998 and becoming a member of the Council of  State.  One of his ancient titles was Kwaebibiremhene, or King of the  Forest. The Okyenhene was president of the Ghana Ethos-Medical  Foundation, and a  trustee of the Ghana Society for the Blind. He was  also a member of the  Consultative Assembly which in 1992 drew up a new  constitution for Ghana, married and had issue, 6 children. He died 17th  March 1999 at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana.

      Nana Osabarima KENA AMPAW II March 1999 to October 1999 (Regent), Adontenhene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area.

  34. Nana Osagyefuo AMOATIA OFORI PANIN II (see above)

Other Members:

    * Nana Sekyeraa II, Queen Mother of Akyem Abuakwa, died 1997.

BY OSEI APPEATU DENNIS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Coordinates:                  6°9'57"N   -0°33'15"E                      
                                                   Nearby cities:                                                Koforidua,                                                                Accra,                                                                Kumasi

[kwaku omowale]

how do i find more specific Kmtyw history like this about the areas of Ghana, Benin, and Songhay?

kwaku