Osei Tutu

Return to Kwaaman After a few years in Akwamu, in c. 1677 Osei Tutu received news that his uncle, Obiri Yeboa, had been killed during a campaign against Dormaa. A committee of Kwaman nobles invited him to return home to take the stool. In order to accompany have him back to Kwaaman, Ansa Sasraku sent 300 of his best Akwamu warriors to accompany him, along with Akomfo Onokye. The Asokwa Batahene stool managed the guilds, the Adwumfuohene the goldsmiths, and the Sanaa managed finances. The Gyase were founded as servants and administrators of the royal household.

Osei Tutu also dramatically overhauled the military structure of Kwaman, modeling his reforms on the military organization of Denkyira. Kwaman's prodigious growth in power did not go unnoticed in Abakeseso, however.

Unifying Asante

The Kwaman conquest of Dormaa in particular was an affront to Denkyirahene Ntim Gyakari, since both of the warring states were nominally tributaries of Denkyira. Another account that is given is that Osei Tutu had given protection to Oduro Agyensamoo of Assin, a man wanted in Abankeseso for questioning about the circumstances of Denkyirahene Boamponsem's death. Recognizing Osei Tutu's actions as a direct challenge to his power, Gyakari sent an embassy to Kwaman. His demands included: A large basin full of gold Beaded necklaces, traditionally the symbols of a wife's submission to her husband One of Osei Tutu's sons or nephews as a hostage That Osei Tutu and each of his commanders send one of their wives to Abankeseso

Whether the Asante Constitution was established in anticipation of a revolt against Denkyira, in direct response to the Denkyirahene's ultimatum, or after the war is not known for sure, but the basic events are well-established and the ultimate outcome was the same. The assembled Oyoko chiefs resoundingly rejected these insulting terms, filling the brass basin with stones rather than gold. Osei Tutu seized this moment and the impending threat of Denkyira's revenge to formally unite the Amantoo clans unders his leadership. He announced that he had been tasked by Onyeame the sky god with a great mission: to unite Asante. According to legend Anokye, in the presence of a huge multitude brought down from the sky, in a black cloud, and amid rumblings, and in air thick with white dust, a wooden stool three supports partly covered with gold. It alighted slowly upon Osei Tutu’s knees. This stool contained the sunsum (soul or spirit) of the Ashanti nation, and their power, health, bravery, and welfare were enshrined within it. Osei Tutu thus became the Asantehene, and the heads of the Amantoo states were given an important role in his ruling council. In addition, the remnants of the Denkyiran army who had fled south were still a threat to trade and stability. In 1702, these two defeated the Asante in a battle. In 1706, Boadu Akufu launched a rebellion. The Asante general Boansi Kofo, with the help of a deserter, ambushed the Denkyiran command at a war council and destroyed them, capturing and later executing Akufu.

Other Conquests Having defeated Denkyira, Asante considered the former Denkyiran subject to now be subservient to them. Assin, Sehwi, and Twifo, however, had other ideas, and it took several more years of war for Osei Tutu to extend his hegemony over these states. In 1711 Tutu moved north against Wenchi, sacking the capital Ahwenekokoo and establishing Asante control over the trade routes north to Bonoman and Begho. Between 1713 and 1715 he turned south, conquering Twifo, Wassa, and Aowin .

In October 1717 Osei Tutu, by now an old man, attempted to lead his army out of the trap by crossing River Pra, but they were attacked in the process. He was being carried in a hammock when he was struck by bullets from snipers and sharpshooters, who were hiding in the dense treeline. Unable to fight his way out of the river, the founder of Asanteman died and his body was never recovered.

Legacy Skillfully utilizing a combination of spiritual dogma and political skill, and ably supported by military prowess, Osei Tutu tripled the size of the small kingdom of Kumasi and laid the foundation for the Empire of Ashanti in the process.

References and notes