Ghana Ashanti Cultural: The Golden Stool

(Ghana) Ashanti cultural – The Golden Stool
Most people think Africa is a country and I occasionally hear people saying it, Africa is not a country but indeed a continent divided in many countries. Ghana is located in the western part of Africa sharing boundaries with Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and Cote d'Ivoire (or Ivory Coast) to the west and the south to the gulf of guinea, it’s a country full of culture and moral believes. The Ashanti Empire is one of the biggest in the history of Africa and is noted for its cultural celebrations linked with the golden stool dated back in 1896 which still exist till today; it serves as a symbol of togetherness to its people, and stands for the widest expanse of political authority which
simple means all other stools fall under it.
The Golden stool is the back bone of the Empire’s vitality and strength, the fruitfulness of the land, the fertility of the men and women, freedom from famine etc. These vital conditions edifying social life and do not only depend on natural cause, but also reflect the spiritual strength of the Golden Stool. The king of the Empire directs the stool only on festival purification day, the “Odwira festival” (that is the name of the festival) as he speaks the words of libation to the ancestors of the land for protection and the prosperity of the entire people, for example these are some of the words that the king uses when pouring libation, It is usually on Fridays.
“Stool of kings, I sprinkle water upon you,
May your power return sharp and fierce.
When I and another meet (in battle)
As when I met Denkyira; you let me cut off his head.
As when I met Akyem; you let me cut of his head.
As when I met Domina; you let me cut off his head.
The edges of the year have met,
I pray for life.
May our Empire prosper, May our women bear children.
May our hunters kill meat and for those who dig for gold Let them get gold to dig, and grant that I get some For the upkeep of my kingship.”
It is the duty of the people to observe and respect it because it’s believed by the Ashanti people that the stool felt from the sky onto the lap of the king who was the first king of the Asante, Otumfour Osei Bonsu. The Priest of the people proclaim that the golden stool was the soul of the new Empire and, with its presence all the Asante were considered equals. The stool was never allowed to touch the earth nor either been ever allowed by anyone to sit on it. The legend of Golden Stool actually tells us about the birth of the Ashanti Empire. In the seventeenth century, in order for the Ashanti to win their independence from Denkyira, another powerful Akan state, a meeting of all the clan heads of each of the Ashanti settlements was called, In this meeting, the Golden Stool was commanded down from the heavens by Okomfo Anokye, the Priest, or sage advisor, to the very first Asantehene (Ashanti king), Osei Tutu I. The Golden Stool floated down from the heavens straight onto the lap of Osei Tutu I. Okomfo Anokye declared the stool to be the symbol of the new Ashanti union ('Asanteman'), and allegiance was sworn to the Golden Stool and to Osei Tutu as the Asantehene. The newly founded Ashanti union went to war with Denkyira and defeated them. The Golden Stool is sacred to the Ashanti, as it is believed that it contains the spirit or soul of the Ashanti people. Just as man cannot live without a soul, so the Ashanti would cease to exist if the Golden Stool were to be taken from them. The Golden Stool is not just sacred. The stool was believed to be so special to the extent that not even the king was allowed to sit on it. Its entire surface is inlaid with gold, and hung with bells to warn the king of impending danger. It is an Ashanti legend and has only been seen by the tribe's royalty. Only the king and trusted advisers know the hiding place of the stool. Replicas of the stool have been produced for the chiefs and also at their funerals there are ceremonially blackened with animal blood, which is a symbol of their power for generations. The Ashanti have always been proud of the uniqueness of their Golden Stool.
When the King of Gyaaman Adinkra, made a Golden Stool for himself, the Asantehene was so annoyed that he led a massive army against him. Adinkra was completely destroyed and he was decapitated. The Asantehene then proceeded to order the melt down of Adinkra's golden stool, and for it to be made into two masks, to represent his "ugly" face. These masks remain hanging on each side of the Ashanti Golden Stool to this day. With the ritual conditions, the stool differs significantly from the idea found among the shilluk, the Yoruba, Alafine, and the bunyoro that national well-being and continuity depends on the physical health of the incumbent and Mukama. Among these peoples the king is made to commit suicide when he becomes old and infirm, as the weakeining of his body might have adverse effects on the crops, rainfall and breeding. The Shilluk, the Yoruba and the Bunyoro, have Divine kings. The Ashantehene is not a Divine king. Unlike the Reth, the Alafine, or Mukama the Asantehene has no spiritual band with the people or the land, and his physical health cannot affect the productivity of the land or its people. To the Ashanti people the Golden Stool is Divine and well honors each day and
night.