They proceeded to Dormaa where they believe the flame is still kept alight. References This page was last edited on 7 June 2022, at 01:04 (UTC). Mahama donates Ghs10,000 to families of teenagers drowned at Apam beach The main staple foods are made with: Maize - Banku, akple, mmore, dokonu, fonfom and tuo zaafi Rice- Omo Tuo, Waakye, plain rice, jollof rice, fried rice, angwa moo and ngwo moo Cassava - Kokonte, fufuo, gari, plakali, and attieke Yam - Yam fufuo, ampesie and mpotompoto Beans THE CLANS AND THEIR TOTEMS (CHAPTER VI) - The Baganda - Cambridge Core (PDF) Exploring the African Traditional Belief Systems in Natural This clan played a very important role in the trade with Europe. The original clans from 'HOGBE' (Nortsie) were the. Some breaks were voluntary while others were involuntary. provides information on the geographical areas covered by the Asona clan of the Asante kingdom, a "polity" of the Akan people (Researcher with the University of Finland 25 May 2005): The eight [Asante] clans are Oyoko, Bretuo, Agona, Asona, Asenie, Aduana, Ekuona, and Asakyiri. The Ewe, meanwhile, hid an elder, Tegli, in a sacred grove to solicit ideas from him. Their totem is the bat. Oyoko clan usually dont intermarry even from different towns and villages. Published online: 7 October 2011. It is said that more people generally belong to [the Asona] clan than to any other clan. By BigThings_News (self media writer) | 2 years ago. Members of this clan are hardworking,clever and brave. In his essay "Le Totmisme aujourdhui" (Totemism Today), the anthropologist, Claude Levi-Strauss argued that human cognition, which is based on analogical thought, is independent of social context. Ghana as a country has a totem which is also called the coat of arms. Most clans have have towns founded by their ancestors so each clan exercises authority over these towns. 3.Agona Clan. It is regarded as taboo for killing such animals or mishandling such objects in communities in which they are used, believing that killing or eating them would bring curses or calamities on the people. If they inadvertently do so, they must lick the raffia. Vol. The Asenie people believe their ancestors emerged out of the earth (Nkansa-Kyeremateng, 1996, p. 31). Retrieved from https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-akan-clan-system/. 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. "Berekuso Black Stool Case Court Orders Return of Stool to Rightful Owners." John Roscoe. These symbols also demonstrate Ghanaians ingenuity of literature or semiology where symbols are used to communicate. 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 historical values of totems in Ghanaian societies cannot be underestimated. Below is an in-depth knowledge on the eight Abusua of the Akans and their totems (animals they are represented by); Totem: The totem of the Agona Abusua is a Parrot Known as "Akoo" among the Akan ethnic group. Any/all written content and images displayed are provided by the blogger/author, appear herein as submitted by the blogger/author and are unedited by Opera News. 16 September. It is also important to note that the idea of the clan is closely connected with the idea of the family. They also make important decisions together. People of the same Abusua share a common ancestor somewhere within their bloodline, which may go back as far as thousands of years. They occupy about two thirds of the territory of the country. The Totem symbol of the Aduana clan is the Dog and Fire. (2019, September 16). They do not have the same names in each state but each has an equivalentclan(e.g. They are mainly found among the Fante but in Asante, their main towns are Adanse Fomena and Asokore. One group settled in the northern part of the new home. [Accessed 20 May 2005], Asante.co.uk. The matrilineal system of inheritance is very common when it comes to this tribe. It is therefore not surprising that Ghana has become the pinnacle of the African continent in many aspects due to its monumental cultural heritage. So, while it is acceptable to marry one's uncle's child (mother's brother), it is unacceptable to marry one's aunt's child (mother's sister). Towns belonging to the Adako clan include Nsuta,Akokofe,Ntonso,Asaman,Adenko_Gyakye and Kontunase. What are the Akan clans and their totems? - Wise-Answers It founded Tsevie, Be which later gave birth to Agoenyive, Bagida and Lome, Abobo, Wheta, Anlo, Klikor, Ave, Fenyi, Afife, Tsiame, Game, Tavia, Tanyigbe, and so on. (PDF) The Socio-Cultural Significance of Akan Totemsin - ResearchGate Others believe that the totems protect them against their enemies or they are being protected by the powers in such objects. PDF THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLEDGE - ResearchGate 3. The two clans have identical observances except for the cults. The morning star is placed inside a rotating wheel and the symbol gives out the meaning of love, harmony and faithfulness. They are mostly Muslims, and Islamic worshipers that make up about 58% of the population. The Totem symbol of the Bretuo clan is the Leopard. List of 15 Anlo Ewe Clans, Totems & Taboos GhLinks.com.gh They also serve ascommemorative. Volta Region: Anlo clans and their Totems - Ewe Ghana Totem: the totem of the Oyoko Abusua is a Hawk. Upon breaking the covenant with God, He pronounced a curse on man and man was taken out of the Garden of Eden. Major towns. The fact that totems in the Northern Sotho culture are slowly dying out could perhaps be ascribed to the negative impact . The people who bear the totems are the linguists known locally as Akyeame. When greeted members of this clan respond Yaa Adu nana.Other towns of this clan are Antoa,Agona,Nkoranza,Wenchi,Atwoma,Kofiase,Adonten,Kwamo,Ajyaakrom,Asuboa,Dompoase(Adanse),Poano,Mpataase,Atwima-Takyiman,Kobireso,Abenase and Denyase. The number and names of Akan matriclans vary in different accounts, but the contemporary Asante usually mention the following eight: Oyoko, Bretuo, Asene, Aduana, Ekuona, Asona, Agona, and Asakyiri. In some societies, males and females from families or clans using the same totems are not allowed to marry, believing that they are blood relations. n.d.b. When greeted by a person from the Asenie, the reply should be "Yaa adu nana". The matrilineages belong to larger matriclans, which are not localized units and they include member lineages throughout all Akan chiefdoms. 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. Cashew tree may not be used for firewood, and its nuts not to be eaten. To Europeans, the animal (or plant) painted on a special background was known as a coat of arms. It was Tegli who advised the Ewe women to form the habit of throwing wastewater which included menstrual blood at portions of the wall to weaken it overtime for the grand escape they desired. [Accessed 26 May 2005]. Prior, Europeans transacted trade on board passing vessels but from about 1720, the Dutch and later the English and Danes began to establish lodges at Anexo, Aflao, Keta and Woe. These are Asona, Agona, Aduana, yoko, Asenee, Biretuo, kona and Asakyiri. For instance, those who have parrots as their totems are believed to be very eloquent when it comes to speech, hence the local saying that ekoo tse brofo. Members must not be held by the ear and if held by mistake, the other ear must be held too. List Of Akan Clans In Ghana - 2023/2024 - 2022/2023 Other principal towns of Aduana in Asante are Kumawu,Asumanya,Kwaman,Boaman,Agogo,Apromaase,Tikurom,Kaase,Apagya,Bompata,Kwaso,Akyease,Takyiman,Nsuatre,Drobo,Manso-mmem,Manso-Abodim,Ampabame,Danyaase,Akwaboa,Adokwae,Dumaase,Agyamasu,Worakese,Kwaman,Banso,Offinso-Dantin,Kwatwema,Awua-Domase,Amoaten-Gyaakye and Nyinahen. They primarily speak the Guan languages of the Niger-Congo language family. Not to destroy the monitor lizard, and to bury or cover its dead body with leaves. The founder of this clan was Etse, twin brother of Atsu, founder of the Lae clan. Did you know Birmingham was home to the largest black Caribbean population in the UK? It combines the morning star and a wheel. Akans inherit and succeed matrilineal so you are what you mother is.For example if your Mother is from Asona and your Father is from Agona you are from Asona since inheritance by Akans is matrilineal. When the wife of a Bate man is pregnant she is forbidden to receive anything from anybody across a fence. Newborn Anlo Ewe girls also have their ears pierced on the seventh day and named. The Tena-Bretuo arrived from the north. 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). 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. In Zimbabwe the Mutupo (plural Mitupo) (wrongly called totems by colonial missionaries and anthropologists) are a system of identifying clans and sub-clans, which are named after and signified by emblems, commonly indigenous animals. Every child when born is initiated into a family through a naming ceremony and the name given to him or her shows the family he or she is from. It is important to note that the Akan people honor their ancestors and are proud of their roots. Totems: Leopard, Hippo, Dog, Crab, Raffia. This is the official publishing account of https://www.ghlinks.com.gh/ for all general based post . Together they form a legislative and executive body, and most importantly function as a judicial court. Other towns are Bekwae, Mamponten, Bogyae, Dadieso, Obogu, Asaaman Adubiase, Pampaso, Kontanase, Kenyase, and Ntonso. The fifteen clans of Anlo include Lafe, Amlade, Adzovia, Bate, Like, Bamee, Klevi, Tovi, Tsiame, Agave, Ame, Dzevi, Vifeme, Xestofe, and Blu. Anlogbe is a dialect of the Ewe language, itself part of the Gbe language cluster. December 19, 2020, 3:35 pm, Every Anlo male and female is said to belong to one of 15 clans known as hlwo and each clan or hl is identified by a number of paternal line called t-ome.. Are you a Fante? When a member of this Abusua greets you, your respond should be "Yaa adu nana.". 2.Bretuo Clan. Totems: same as Laeif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'ghlinks_com_gh-box-4','ezslot_5',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ghlinks_com_gh-box-4-0'); Clan cult: Tgbi Gbe, Sui, Nyaga, Adebe. Each clan is headed by a family head known as . Their totem is the leopard. Each of the clans have their own names by which the people are identified with. The do not eat galadzei or a crab which is turned upside down with legs up when being cooked. The symbol of the Asona is the crow or wild boar. 5.Asenie Clan. There are eight clans (extended families) in the Akan community. There are several Abusua that transcend the different ethnic subgroups outside of the ancient seven. It is thus possible to use ones name to trace his/her patrilinealclan. Others believe that they originally came from Asumanya and they were led by a dog with a flame in his mouth and gold in his cheeks. According to him, the purpose of the family totem is for identification, adding that the town totems are proverbial symbols which carry a hidden message, doctrine or powers of a king or the traditional area. Copyright 2023 - IvyPanda is operated by, The Movement of Indigenous People Away from City Centers, and in Saudi Arabia in Particular, How societies construct gender identities, sexual practices, and gendered bodies, Akan Language and Traditions of Naming Children, The Colonial Trade and Slave Entrepreneurship, Ethnic and Political Affiliation in Ghana's Elections, Totem Poles: Artifacts of Canadian Cultures, The Adinkra Clothing and African-American Quilt, The History of the Endangered Languages and the Ways of Their Preservation, Patrilineal and Matrilineal Descent Groups, Relations and Social Distance in Kinship and Marriage, Australopithecus Africanus Characteristics and Facts, Entomophagy as Portrayed by Western Media and Literature, Primary Mode of Subsistence In The Zulu Culture. Download Opera News APP, By Adesua_Gh (self media writer) | 2 years ago. In most cases the totemic animal or plant is considered as an object of taboo. It is also important to note that the Akan people have preserved their major traditions and beliefs. The totem animal of the Asenie clan is the Bat. When greeted their response is Yaa doku nana.The members of this clans peculiar character is uprightness. People of the Agona are predominant in Denkyira and therefore in Asante, Nkawie. Its symbol is the leopard. To American Indians, it was a totem. Other towns of the Oyoko clan include Kokofu,Bekwae,Mamponten,Bogyaa,Dadieso,Obogu,Atobiase,Pampaso,Kontonase,Kwabere_Kenyase,Sawua,Ahenkro,Adumase,Ohwim,Asankare,Dwansa,Nyaabo,Atweede and Adwumakasekese. I left church because of tight wearing dresses by ladies -Kwabena Kwabena, Asantehene and wife to attend Coronation of King Charles lll, Aboakyer 2023 opens with cycle race competition, Minority Leader slams government for challenges faced by Ghanaian Banks. Hence, several members of the clan make the most important decisions together after a discussion. The Ayoko clan arrived in the region when Asare Mintem ruled. In such a case an uncle is able to make sure that his daughter has a decent husband in his nephew, and since he is also his possible matrilineal successor the inheritance left behind will indirectly benefit his daughter as well. In his explanation, Ebusuapanyin Ababio cited an example where a king in the Central Region used a totem that nearly brought a war between two communities because of the meaning of the totem. 8.Asakyiri Clan. The other is Bate. 3.Agona Clan. Taboos: Never to kill or eat the flesh of a buffalo. [2] They make up 3.7% of the population of Ghana. Totems And Wildlife Conservation - Ghanaians Must Know Their Totems 25 May 2005. An onion (shallot) growing industry abounds. When greeted, the reply should be "Yaa Obiri nana". The symbol of the Ekuona is the buffalo. 3 October 1999. The Lae clan is regarded as the oldest of all the Anlo clans. Origin. VIDEO: Watch how Stephen Appiah announced a Philadelphia Eagles NFL draft pick, State remains committed to battling drug use - Vice President assures public, COCOBOD refutes former President Mahama's claims of collapsed cocoa sector. It is also one of the oldest kingdoms of people in the country. When greeted members of the Aduana clan respond Yaa ogyabaor yaa Abreade.It is believed that the members of the Aduana clan originally came from Asumanya but they were led by a dog with fire in its mouth and gold in its cheeks. EDUCATIONAL IMPACTS Their totem is the hawk. A King in Ghana Akan Clans The totems are seen as unifying symbols in most traditional areas which bind the people. Among the Akans, it is a belief that man is made up of Blood (mogya), spirit (Sumsum), Soul (Okra) and family known as Abusua in the twi language. It is said that more people generally belong to [the Asona] clan than to any other clan. Chiefs for these various towns are selected from clans, that is from the Womans family. However, Asenie people always note their background and are proud to be a part of this clan. She gave birth to Nana Dante and Nana Dufie Gyampontima. "The Akan Clan System." Each chiefdom is composed of several matrilineages that are established on the basis of common matrilineal descent from a known female ancestor. Ye gye wo sen? the Twi-speaking would ask. 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. The Ekuona people believe their ancestors came from some region behind Fulaniland. Klev, is a small local bird which not to be eaten. Copyright notice: This document is published with the permission of the copyright holder and producer Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). Akans are one of the major ethnic groups in Ghana, and they speak the twi language. The Akan people see their totem as a kind of ancestor. 1500, their host king Adela Atogble received them well but his successor, Ago Akoli, proved himself a tyrant. Some clans are constituted by brave warriors and others include skillful craftsmen. //]]> The Denkyirahene is from the Agona clan. However, extended families are very important for the Akan society. Ethnic Ga family names (surnames) include Nikoi, Amon, Kotey, Kotie, Adei, Kutorkor, Oblitey, Lartey, Nortey . Each clan has certain history and distinctive features. The Asona Clan is the biggest clan among the Akan clans since a lot of people belong this clan is said to be the mother of all the Akan clans.Oral tradition has it that the Asona Clan were led out of a cave by a Snake and protected by an Elephant to their various destinations in Akyem and Edweso in the Ashanti Region. This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. Any/all written content and images displayed are provided by the blogger/author, appear herein as submitted by the blogger/author and are unedited by Opera News. 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). 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. I therefore decided to ask students of all levels of education and the responses were no different from the ones I had received. Whatever their origin, they possess herds of cattle and some of their totems are cattle, while others are vegetable or plant totems; whereas purely pastoral people have totems relating almost entirely to cattle, and peasants who till the soil have totems taken from plants or things relating to agriculture. As has been mentioned above, there are eight Akan clans. The chief is chosen among the best people of the clan. The Ekuona Clan were believed to be the first among Akans to build houses and so were referred to as Adansi fuowhich means house builders. However, they also have a lot in common. Taboos: Totem animal not to be killed, eaten or handled. There are various beliefs as to the origins of these clans: Aduana believe that at the time of creation, their ancestors descended from the skies on a golden chain. Moreover, the chief does not rule the clan by himself. Totem: The totem of the Ekuona Abusua is a Buffalo. Again, viewpoints of older members of the clan are seen as the most valuable. Taboos: Not to destroy, touch or handle the leopard, or sit on its skin. Lets begin with the most powerful among these clans. They live mostly in northern Ghana and also cross into Burkina Faso and Togo. The Guan people are an ethnic group found almost in all parts of Ghana, including the Krachi people, language-Kaakye people Nkonya tribe, the Gonja, Anum, Larteh, Nawuri and Ntsumburu . "Aowin" is a branch of the Adwenadze Clan and this clan has its totem to be a sheet-fish of deep waters and what this signifies is an emblem of thoughtfulness according to the Adwenadzi clan. Totem: A Parrot which signifies patience and forbearance is the emblem of the Anono "Abusuakuw" of the "Mfantsefo.". 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. Not to eat lae or any spotted animal, or any animal resembling a leopard. the wishes of their parents and uncles, whereas in the villages the marriages tend to follow the traditional pattern more closely. The second group founded the settlements of Ho, Akovie, Takla, Kpenoe, Klevi, Sokode, Abutia and Adaklu. This is the only clan whose members are occasionally spoken of as actual descendants of the totem animal. Ghanaian traditional symbols and their meanings - YEN.COM.GH Generally, the members of the group believe that they are descendants from a totem ancestor, or that they and the totem are "brothers". The original version of this document may be found on the offical website of the IRB at, Last Updated: Friday, 28 April 2023, 15:24 GMT, 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada. The state of Anlo is one of the largest of the Ewe coastal tribes in Ghana. The Akan people are divided into eight matrilineal clans (Nkansa-Kyeremateng, 1996). 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. Ekuona are not found in great numbers in Asante. Kona-Ebiradze is one of the seven "Ebusuakuw"(clans) of the "Mfantsefo"(Fantes) in Ghana. The Tena-Bretuo arrived from the north. Members from this Abusua can mainly ne found in Amoafo, Effiduase and Mampong. Looking forward to fruitful visit to Ghana - Japanese PM. Taboos: Members of this clan must not destroy, touch or handle any part of a leopard, or sit on its skin. Their symbolic qualities are Calmness and Patience. In Ghana, the symbols are usually carved on totem poles. 7.Ekuona Clan. From this, he excludes mathematical thought, which operates primarily through logic. The Ekuona clan were the first settlers in Adansi Fomena. In this paper, I consider major peculiarities of the eight clans and analyze the impact this social structure has on the present life of the Akan people. //Guan tribe: history, language, food, dance, festivals, facts 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. Defeating the Ada People in a surprise attack and later gaining control of the Volta Lake, the Danish company set its eye on Anlo. Clearly, each clan has certain history and distinctive features. This groups totem is the parrot. Firth and Fortes in their contribution said that totemism was based on physical or psychological similarities between the clan and the totemic animal. The Asakyiri claim that they were the first to be created by God .Not much is known about the Asakyiri clan. Some people of the Aduana Abusua believe that at the time of creation, their ancestors descended from the skies with a golden chain and others also believed that they originally came from Asumanye and they were led by a duiker with a flame in his mouth and gold in his cheeks. The Gonjas have their belief in the Supreme Being, 'Ebore', natural spirits, and traditional powers. This problem can be associated to ignorance, adulteration of culture, improper . This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. In some part of the western region, the symbol of the Oyoko clan is rat. 5.Asenie Clan. He is responsible for providing for the family and protecting it. Apart from its unique designs, the totems are communication channels that chiefs, families and communities use to communicate their identity to other people. The chief listens to some advice of the oldest and most respectable members of the clan. They also have social stratification of their ancestors. This is why they do not marry a person, who is from their clan, but have to look for their partners in other clans. IvyPanda, 16 Sept. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/the-akan-clan-system/. n.d.a. Its main towns are Kokofu, Kumasi, Dwaben and Nsuta. Nsona Clan is one of the seven clans of the Fantes tribe in Ghana. The totem symbol of the Asona clan is the Crow or Wild Boar. 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). Totem clans. Your privacy is extremely important to us. When greeted a member of the Asakyiri Clan response is Yaa Ofori nana.Other Towns of the Asakyiri clan are Abofuo,Abrenkese,Asakyiri(Amansie)Abofuo,Kusa,Odumase(Adanse),Benin,Afeduase-Adukro Boaberease(Adanse) and Apeadu. The totem symbol of this clan is the Parrot since it is believed that members of this clan are very eloquent. They were also used as a seal or symbol for covenant. 1. Internet sites, including: AllAfrica.com, Africa-Express, The Ghanaian Times, WNC.
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