ASHANTI PEOPLE

By Phoebe Angaye
The Ashanti People
 The Ashanti or the Akan
are a major ethnic
group that lives in
Ghana that was
previously called the
Gold Coast. They live in
west and central
Ghana. They ruled as
the Asante Empire until
the British took over
and gave them
independence in 1960.
Religion
 The Ashanti people’s
religion is a
combination animal
and supernatural
powers. They usually
believe that animals,
plants, and trees have
souls.
Culture
 Boys are usually do
the weaving, and other
things while girls do
housework and
pottery. The mother’s
clan and family have
the upmost importance.
 Polygamy is also
common in the culture.
Boys at 8 or 9 and will
be trained with their
father’s choice of skill.
Boys are taught to use
talking drums which are
drums used to learn the
Ashanti language. They
learn it from their
mother’s brother.
 The Golden Stool
 This stool sacred to the
Ashanti people. It has never
touched the ground and is
never sat on. The stool is
considered to have the Soul
of Ashanti. The stool may
touch a cloth on the floor but
not the ground. In 1986, they
even deported their king to
defend their stool because
they feared they would lose.
 Kente Cloth
 The kente cloth is a
traditional cloth for the
Ashanti people. It is used
for all kinds of
ceremonies and
foreigners are even
expected to wear kente
at such ceremonies. Kente
also coms from the word
‘kenten’ which means
basket.
 Ashanti Masks
 Ashanti Masks are often
faces to represent the
ancestors. The masks are
believed to bridge the
gap between the
physical and spiritual
realm. The use of the
masks are thought to
bring the ancestors to
life.