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Basic 3 · History · The People of Ghana

The Origin of the Akan

In this topic you will learn the traditions about where the Akan came from.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Tell the traditions of Akan origin
  • Name early Akan states
  • Find Akan areas on the map

What you already know

  • How we learn where our people came from

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
My country Ghana
Sub-strand
The People of Ghana
Indicator
B3.2.1.1.1 – Discuss the origins of the major ethnic groups in Ghana

Introduction

The Akan are the largest ethnic group in Ghana. Their elders tell different stories about where their ancestors came from.

1. Traditions of Akan Origin

  • Some traditions say the Akan came from the north-west, from the area of the old Ghana Empire, a long time ago.
  • Some Asante traditions say their ancestors came out of the earth at Asantemanso, near Kumasi.
  • Many historians believe the Akan have lived in the forest areas of Ghana for a very long time.

2. Early Akan States

Akan states
StateArea
Bono (Bono Manso)near Techiman; one of the earliest Akan states
DenkyiraCentral and Western areas
AkwamuEastern area
AsanteKumasi area; became very powerful
Fante statescoastal Central Region
Map of Ghana showing early Akan states
Figure 1: Early Akan states Draw the map and mark two Akan states.Base map: NordNordWest, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Did you know?: The Golden Stool of Asante is believed to have come down from the sky in the time of Okomfo Anokye and King Osei Tutu.

New words

Akan
The largest ethnic group in Ghana.
state
A group of people under one ruler.
ancestor
A family member who lived long ago.
empire
A large area ruled by one king.

Summary

  • Akan traditions of origin differ; some point to the old Ghana Empire.
  • Bono Manso was one of the earliest Akan states.
  • Asante, Denkyira, Akwamu and Fante are Akan states.

Class activity: Akan Map Work

  1. Find the Akan areas on the Ghana map.
  2. Mark Bono Manso, Kumasi and Cape Coast.
  3. Retell one Akan tradition of origin.

You need: Ghana map, Printed photographs of Ghanaian ethnic groups, Kente, Smock fabric samples

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Which is the largest ethnic group in Ghana?

    • A. Akan
    • B. Ewe
    • C. Guan
    • D. Grusi
    Show answer
    Answer: AkanThe Akan are the largest.

  2. 2. Which was one of the earliest Akan states?

    • A. Bono Manso
    • B. Accra
    • C. Tamale
    • D. Ho
    Show answer
    Answer: Bono MansoIt was near Techiman.

  3. 3. Asante is an Akan state.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueAsante is Akan.

  4. 4. All Akan elders tell exactly the same origin story.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseTraditions differ.

  5. 5. A family member who lived long ago is an ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: ancestorThat is an ancestor.

  6. 6. Name two Akan states.

    Show answer
    Answer: Any two: Bono, Denkyira, Akwamu, Asante, Fante.These are Akan states.

Homework

  1. Ask an Akan elder or friend what they know about their origin.