August 1, 2010 by Ghana Social Manager
Comments (14)
Kumasi, Ashanti, Okomfo Anokye, sword
Being the most powerful empire in West Africa during the 18th century, the Ashanti have a lot of history and the Komfo Anokye sword is one of them.
Okomfo Anokye was an Ashanti priest in the 17th century, and although he was a historical figure, the people have turned him into a hero who had supernatural powers. Okomfo Anokye founded the Empire of Ashanti alongside King Osei Tutu I. The guide told me that the King and Okomfo Anokye organised 11 divisional chiefs in the Ashanti Empire, and parts of their finger nails and hair were burnt and buried and was marked by Okomfo Anokye by planting a sword on the spot. He said that if anyone were to remove the sword, then that will mark the end of the Ashanti Empire. The mythological story goes on the say that he conjured the ‘Golden Stool’ from the sky.
The Golden Stool is a mark of unity for the Ashanti and is actually a physical object that exists today. No one except the king and his trusted advisors know where it is. It is brought out during the Akwasidae festival. The Ashanti have never lost the stool. In 1896, they even allowed their king, Prempeh I, to be deported rather than lose the stool. It is considered to be so sacred that not even the king is allowed to sit on it. In 1900, after a British governor in Ghana demanded to sit on the Golden Stool, war broke out. The Ashanti eventually lost the war, but it was a victory for them because they never lost the stool.
The sword is now located just outside the C ward in the Komfo Anokye Hospital, named after Okomfo Nokye. The sword has been on that same spot since 1667 and no one has been able to pull it out. In 1964, Muhammad Ali tried to pull it out, but failed in five attempts. It seemed to be like the ‘Sword in the Stone’ story, except this time the sword actually exists!
Even this day, every sixth Sunday a chief comes to pour three bottles of schnapps on the ground around the sword.
It’s easy to get to in Kumasi and will only be a quick visit, so everyone should go and see it if they have the chance!
By Minato Kobori
That is our culture and no one can take it away from us not even those who tried
Anonymous 726 days ago
GOD BLESS ASANTE THIS SWORD IS OUR HISTORY AND CULTURE AND WE ARE THE KEEPERS OF TRADITION
Anonymous 716 days ago
ASHANTIS HAVE A GREAT HISTORICAL TRADITION,EVERY BODY MUST TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO AND SEE THE SWORD. NOT ASHANTIS ALONE BUT EVERY BODY THAT HAS CHANCE TO LIVE.
IS FOR ALL BLACK PEOPLE AND BEYOND.
MY ADVICE IS THAT, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PRACTICE THE LAWS LAID DOWN BY HIS GRACE OKOMFO ANOKYE AND WE WILL PROSPER.
LONG LIVE THE NAME OF OKOMFO ANOKYE,LONG LIVE BLACK PEOPLE.
NAME; DOUGLAS KWAME FOSU.
Anonymous 636 days ago
ASHANTIS HAVE A GREAT HISTORICAL TRADITION,EVERY BODY MUST TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO AND SEE THE SWORD. NOT ASHANTIS ALONE BUT EVERY BODY THAT HAS CHANCE TO LIVE.
IS FOR ALL BLACK PEOPLE AND BEYOND.
MY ADVICE IS THAT, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PRACTICE THE LAWS LAID DOWN BY HIS GRACE OKOMFO ANOKYE AND WE WILL PROSPER.
LONG LIVE THE NAME OF OKOMFO ANOKYE,LONG LIVE BLACK PEOPLE.
NAME; DOUGLAS KWAME FOSU.
Anonymous 636 days ago
IT IS GOOD TO KNOW YOUR HISTORY... AND NOT FOLLOW WHAT WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. AFRICANS ARE BLESSED. WE HAVE TO UNITE...MANY LIVES WHERE TAKEN..WE SHOUT BLACK POWER IN ONE PEACE. THERE IS NO TRUE RELIGION THAN FOLLOWING THE RULES OF OKOMFO ANOKYE... HE KNOWS BEST.... HE CREATED US IN HIS OWN IMAGE... FOLLOW THE RIGHT PATH... WE SERVE A LIVING GOD...
Anonymous 601 days ago
I WAS BORN IN GHANA DURING THE GOLD COAST AND IN MY TIME THERE, I VISITED THE OKUMFO ANOKYI SWORD, LOCATED ON THE GROUNDS OF OKUMFO ANOKYI HOSPITAL. I AM SURE THAT NO ONE IN THE WORLD CAN TAKE THE SWORD OUT. IT SHOULD BE ONE OF 'THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD'. AT THE TIME OF MY BIRTH, OKUMFO ANOKYI HOSPITAL WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, SO I WAS BORN AT A VILLAGE CALLED KWADASU 4 MILES FROM THE HOSPITAL. I WAS IN THE GOLD COAST DURING INDEPPENCE DAY WHEN THE GOLD COAST WAS RENAMED GHANA
G for GOD
H for HAS
A for APPOINTED
N for NKRUMAH
A for ALONE
KOFI ASANTI
Anonymous 579 days ago
GOD BLESSED OUR HOMELAND GHANA
Anonymous 551 days ago
NO MOTHER FUCKER....NO MOST KILLER...STAY BLESSED OKOMFO ANOKYE
Anonymous 551 days ago
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Anonymous 310 days ago
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Anonymous 198 days ago
YES IT IS REALLY GOOD. LEARN TO ABAID BY LAWS
Anonymous 198 days ago
YES IT IS REALLY GOOD. LEARN TO ABAID BY LAWS
Anonymous 198 days ago
NO IT ISN'T
Anonymous 198 days ago
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