Totemism: A symbolic representation of a clan with specific reference They are therefore accorded respect and believed to have a sacred connection with a human group. Other towns of the Asakyiri are Abofuo, Aduanede, Abrenkese, and Apeadu.Their symbol is the vulture and eagle. People from this clan are endowed with wisdom. window.__mirage2 = {petok:".Sk4.EDzWld130h3XYZYCWDWX38F4ATAjGy.xU3Mp4E-3600-0"}; Some towns that belongs to this Abusua are Berekum, Abenkyem, Adanse Fomena and among others. "Akwaaba!" Any/all written content and images displayed are provided by the blogger/author, appear herein as submitted by the blogger/author and are unedited by Opera News. ensure the integrity of our platform while keeping your private information safe. IvyPanda. The most endangered clan, family or tribal totems are the grey parrot, buffalo, tree hyrax, lion, crocodile and the aardvark. These elements are Blood and Spirit .These elements are obtained from your Father and Mother. Each clan has certain history and distinctive features. 10 clans in ghana and their totems Content created and supplied by: Adesua_Gh (via Opera Did you know Birmingham was home to the largest black Caribbean population in the UK? Their totem is the buffalo. Clan cults: Mama Tmi, Asimatsnu, anyevi, Afmabgetme. There is no modern state of this group. Read also 5 fashion styles Ghanaians equate with immorality Source: Redbubble Some clans are good at trading. Cashew tree may not be used for firewood, and its nuts not to be eaten. PDF THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLEDGE - ResearchGate Some people call it 'Ekusi ebusua' therefore members of this clan are called "Ekusifo" in some part in the Western region. in Fante areas along the coast, the Asanteclanof Oyoko is referred to as Dehyena or Yokofo). According to him, the purpose of the family totem is for identification, adding that the town totems are proverbial symbols which carry a hidden message, doctrine or powers of a king or the traditional area. In the coastal areas, the central region, the town of Mankessim is ruled by an Asona lineage. Your spirit comes from your Father which determines your Nton and your blood comes from your mother which determines your Abusua. In Asante the principal towns for the Aduana are Kumawu, Asumanya, Kwaman, Boaman, Agogo, Banso, Obo-Kwahu, Apromaase, Akyem Apapam, Tikurom, Kaase, Apagya, Bompata, Kwaso, Akyease, Manso Agroyesum, Manso-Mmem, Manso-Abodom, Gomoa Ohua and Nyinahen. Taboos: Totem animal not to be killed, eaten or handled. The falcon is the symbol of the Oyoko. If there is no woman in a family, the family disappears (Nkansa-Kyeremateng, 1996). "Some of the towns that belong to the Asona Abusua are Abrakaso, Toaso, Odumase, Beposo and among others. This clan has its totem to be a Dog and this shows an emblem of agility and promptness and one of the branches of the Ntwaa Clan is the "Abadzi.". When a member of this Abusua greets you, your respond should be "Yaa adu nana.". In March 1784, the Danish Governor of Christiansborg secured a force among the Ga, Ada, Krobo, Akwapim and Ge all of whom had become traditional enemies of Anlo and with an army of 4,000 troops, defeated the Anlo. Anlo proper includes the coastal belt lying between Anyanui at the estuary of the Volta Lake, and Blekusu located about five kilometers east of Keta. It was Tegli who advised the Ewe women to form the habit of throwing wastewater which included menstrual blood at portions of the wall to weaken it overtime for the grand escape they desired. Opera News does not consent to nor does it condone the posting of any content that violates the rights (including the copyrights) of any third party, nor content that may malign, inter alia, any religion, ethnic group, organization, gender, company, or individual. The totem symbol of this clan is the Parrot since it is believed that members of this clan are very eloquent. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. The Seven Clans of the Fantes and their Totems: The Anona "Abusuakuw" is one of the Clans of the Fantes. These various clans have their founding Fathers, Various totem animals they use to represent them,their mode of greetings,their peculiarities among others. Any/all written content and images displayed are provided by the blogger/author, appear herein as submitted by the blogger/author and are unedited by Opera News. Some Principal towns of Aduana are Dormaa and Akwamu. Traditionally, the Anlo-Ewe have one supreme God, Mawuga Kitikata or simply Mawu. In his response to the significance of the totems, he said the totems were made out of the peoples past history, adding that Mankessim as a town has even made a totem of the three leaders who led the Fantes to their present settlement as a symbol of honour. Matrilateral cross-cousin marriages are also practised by the chiefs, who marry the daughter(s) of their predecessors in order to uphold the alliances between the ruling lineage and the other matrilineages in the community. They believe their ancestors brought fire to people. It founded the towns of Hohoe, Matse, Peki, Kpando, Awudome, Alavanyo, Kpalime, Agu, Ve, Kpedze and Wodze. Violation of these taboos may result in the birth of a or python, an abnormal baby having the features of a python. Drawing on the identification of social group with spiritual totem in Australian aboriginal tribes, Durkheim theorised that all human religious expression was intrinsically founded in the relationship to a group. Chap. Iii - Clans, Totems and Terms of Relationship In Notsie, ca. Newborn Anlo Ewe girls also have their ears pierced on the seventh day and named. The coastal strip, which is sandwiched between the sea and the Keta Lagoon, makes Anloga an important fishing location, according to sources. In some part of the western region, the symbol of the Oyoko clan is rat. Mitupo have been used by the Shona people since their culture developed. They occupy about two thirds of the territory of the country. Taboos: Not to destroy, touch or handle the leopard, or sit on its skin. Gonja people - Wikipedia Clan cults: Zi, Atsipkui, Dzomadoetg. She told me that she didnt really know how to respond to the family greeting. Whatever their origin, they possess herds of cattle and some of their totems are cattle, while others are vegetable or plant totems; whereas purely pastoral people have totems relating almost entirely to cattle, and peasants who till the soil have totems taken from plants or things relating to agriculture. Refworld | Ghana: The Asona clan, including languages, geographical Guang people - Wikipedia They are mostly Muslims, and Islamic worshipers that make up about 58% of the population. This language group covers the present-day Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Eastern and Central regions" (Nordic Journal of African Studies 1996). When properly utilised, Ghana can earn foreign exchange from people coming to learn about these historical totems of our clans, communities, kings and chiefs. Towns belonging to the Adako clan include Nsuta,Akokofe,Ntonso,Asaman,Adenko_Gyakye and Kontunase. The Asona clan founded a number of kingdoms. A few examples of the totems of the clans in Rwanda are the crested crane, the frog, hyena, the leopard and most of these clans share totems. It combines the morning star and a wheel. The fifteen clans of Anlo include Lafe, Amlade, Adzovia, Bate, Like, Bamee, Klevi, Tovi, Tsiame, Agave, Ame, Dzevi, Vifeme, Xestofe, and Blu. It is forbidden to marry someone from the same clan as you. Totem: A Parrot which signifies patience and forbearance is the emblem of the Anono "Abusuakuw" of the "Mfantsefo.". "The Akan Clan System." Tell me what you know about and of these seven clans so we cam all educate ourselves. . Oyoko, Ekuona (Kona), Bretuo ne Tena (Twidan), Agona Abusua (Eguana in Fante), Asenie Abusua (Atwafo), Asakyiri Abusua (Anona) and Oyokuo (Yokofo or Dehyena) are all Akan clans or families in Ghana. Many young people see this form of marriage as unattractive because they feel that cross-cousins are more like full siblings than prospective spouses. In one way or the other, I think that our forefathers were very creative and particular with the choice of the totems because a lot of thinking must be considered before finally selecting a familys or communitys totem. I personally had to make some efforts before I was told the meanings of the totems used in the story. The Anlo state is made up of about thirty-six major (City) states including Fiaxor, Dzita, Tegbi, Vodza, Anlo Afiadenyigba, Fenyi, Bleamezado, Hatorgodo, Atito, Sasinyeme, Anyanui, Tregui, Evui, Ave-Afiadenyigba and Aborlorve. The Akan people believe that the family is the most important unit in the society. This is the senior of the two royal clans. What are the Akan clans and their totems? - Wise-Answers They proceeded to Dormaa where they believe the flame is still kept alight. If you are the copyright owner of this paper and no longer wish to have your work published on IvyPanda. Lae Clan 5.Asenie Clan. [1] The Abusua line is considered to be passed through the mother's blood (mogya). Akans inherit and succeed matrilineal so you are what you mother is.For example if your Mother is from Asona and your Father is from Agona you are from Asona since inheritance by Akans is matrilineal. Akanba, M. (2010). They believe their ancestors came with the Asakyuiri group and settled in the area. They are ready to help each other. The eight clans are Oyoko, Bretuo, Agona, Asona, Asenie, Aduana, Ekuona, and Asakyiri. Yes, there are seven different clans among the Ewes of Ghana, some parts of Togo and Benin. News ), Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. Hence, it is possible to note that the members of the clan are ready to help each other as they see each other as members of a big family. They were also used as a seal or symbol for covenant. It is also one of the oldest kingdoms of people in the country. 6.Aduana Clan. Ghanaian traditional symbols and their meanings - YEN.COM.GH When greeted members of the Aduana clan respond Yaa ogyabaor yaa Abreade.It is believed that the members of the Aduana clan originally came from Asumanya but they were led by a dog with fire in its mouth and gold in its cheeks. September 16, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-akan-clan-system/. The other is Bate. Clan definition, a group of families or households, as among the Scottish Highlanders, the heads of which claim descent from a common ancestor: the Mackenzie clan. As has been mentioned above, the Akan people have a matrilineal system. The historical values of totems in Ghanaian societies cannot be underestimated. They also serve ascommemorative. The Oyoko clan is the clan in which the King of the Asante Monarch His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll hails from. The state of Anlo is one of the largest of the Ewe coastal tribes in Ghana. Although totems are popular spiritual symbols throughout the global society, their use in textile design is not so pervasive particularly in Ghana (Steven and Salm, 2006;Studd, 2002 and Von Stamm . In some societies, males and females from families or clans using the same totems are not allowed to marry, believing that they are blood relations. Akan Clans and Totems In Ghana - YouTube 0:00 / 19:51 ACCRA Akan Clans and Totems In Ghana 484 views Jun 30, 2021 Culture is the arts elevated to a set of beliefs .more .more 6. These characteristic features affect social, political and economic spheres of the Akan people. 2019. Aduana believe that at the time of creation, their ancestors descended from the skies on a golden chain. Among the Anlo corrupted as Awuna by the early European merchants and slave traders, the chieftain is the Awomefia, whose three senior chiefs, in times past, commanded the three military divisions of the state. Moreover, the Akan people believe they can recognize a member of their clan even if the latter is a stranger and lived in another area (Akanba, 2010). When greeted by a person from the Agona or Anona, the reply should be "Yaa ako nana". People of the Agona are predominant in Denkyira and therefore in Asante, Nkawie. However, there are features which unite all Akan people. 3.Agona Clan. Their symbolic qualities are Calmness and Patience. All persons belonging to the same clan, irrespective of their place of residence, are considered to be related by blood, or more specifically, to be descendants of a common ancestress. Thus, the Akan society is constituted by several clans which can be regarded as big and strong families. According to Ebusuapanyin Ababio, most of the current generation do not know the importance of the totems and therefore overlook them when they see them. The child inherits courage, talents and wisdom from the father. Any/all written content and images displayed are provided by the blogger/author, appear herein as submitted by the blogger/author and are unedited by Opera News. Agona Clan - Wikipedia The Akan constitute almost 50% of the population of Ghana (Labi, 2009). I know you are now responding to the greeting or mentioning your clan or thinking about it. Moreover, the chief does not rule the clan by himself. Rashes will result from violation of taboos. 8.Asakyiri Clan. The peculiar characteristics of the Oyoko clan are Patience,Bravery and Statesmanship. The Denkyirahene is from the Agona clan. I believe in following your instincts and saying No to all who do not believe in you. While some lived at Tado in present-day Togo from where they later dispersed in various directions, some returned east to settle at Allada from where they founded the Aja kingdom of Allada, Whydah, Popo and Jakin, and later the Fon kingdom of Dahomey in the early eighteenth century. Other information on whether men are forced to marry their uncle's daughter, the age of marriage, the reasons for marriage, the consequences of refusal and available state protection was not found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. 2023/2024 Admission forms and Recruitment in Ghana, UG Call for Applications: WAMCAD Workshop on Disease Modelling, UMaT 14th Congregation Announcement to Graduands. Since they are not so many members in this clan.The Totem symbol for the Asakyiri Clan is the Hawk. Totemism and Tribes: A Study of the Concept and Practice - ResearchGate Totem: The totem of the Ekuona Abusua is a Buffalo. The Ekuona Clan were believed to be the first among Akans to build houses and so were referred to as Adansi fuowhich means house builders. The people engage in subsistence agriculture and grow crops like cassava, maize, pepper, and vegetables. If a member is licked by a dog, he must kick it to ward off supernatural retribution. Every adult is expected to perform etretsytsy Evidence of this is the calabash being hung in the sitting rooms of Blu clan members. Totems: Are they of significance? - Graphic Online However, they also have a lot in common. IvyPanda. 3.Agona Clan. So, while it is acceptable to marry one's uncle's child (mother's brother), it is unacceptable to marry one's aunt's child (mother's sister). I therefore decided to ask students of all levels of education and the responses were no different from the ones I had received. It also extends north of the Keta Lagoon as far as Abor more than 40 miles. An onion (shallot) growing industry abounds. A Short List of Ghana's Major Ethnic Groups - Christine Bedenis The known ancestor of the Ekuona Clan is Nana Asante Gyima of Adanse.Other towns of the clan are Banjo,Kona,Asokore-Mampon,Brekum,Kokofu-Abuoso,Adumasa,Heman,Abenkyem and Dua -Yaw Nkwanta. When a member of this Abusua greets you, your respond should be "Yaa ofori Nana. The result was that other Dukowo like Dzodze, Klikor, Fenyi and Wheta began to identify themselves with Anlo and regarded them as their champion against foreign imperialism. Asakyiri claim that they were the first to be created by God. To American Indians, it was a totem. The researcher with the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Helsinki and specialist on the Asante also provided some background information on the Akan people, of which the Asona clan are part: Geographical locations and languages spoken. Ga-Adangbe people - Wikipedia 30 August 2000. Their totem is the leopard. The chief is chosen among the best people of the clan. IvyPanda, 16 Sept. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/the-akan-clan-system/. Most of the people I interacted with were clueless about the meaning and how to respond to traditional family and clan greetings. You can use them for inspiration, an insight into a particular topic, a handy source of reference, or even just as a template of a certain type of paper. The first known Oyoko woman was Nana Ekuru who migrated from Adansi to settle in Asuom. The first king of the Agona Clan is Nana Boa Amponsem I who created the first Akan Empire which mostly traded in gold and Kola nuts.When greeted their response is Yaa ago nana.Some towns of the Agona Clan include Tafo,Bodwesango,Fomesua,Asienimpom,Trede Ahwaa,Ampabame,Nkwawie,Konkoma,Gyenyase,Amoaman,Adwuman,Sepe,Akyenakron and Asuonwin. Totem: The totem of the Asenie tribe is a bat. They are also committed to their clans as well as families. The database is updated daily, so anyone can easily find a relevant essay example. Abusua is the name in Akan culture for a group of people that share common maternal ancestry governed by seven major ancient female abosom (deities). Are you a Fante? Agona Clan is one of the eight major Akan clans. There are Eight clans among the Akans they are; 1.Oyoko and Adako Clan. These names of the various clans are very unique. The totem may be regarded as a group symbol and as a protector of the members of the group. Bretuo are found mainly in Adansi Ayaase, Mampong, Kwahu, Adankranya, Amprofi Tanoso One of the seven clans of the Fantes is the Ntwaa "Abusuakuw" or clan. Ebusuapanyin Ababio said totems could be classified into two main categories the family totem and the town or kings totem. When greeted by any member of this Abusua, your reply should be "Yaa etwie nana.". Therefore it has become rare. 3 October 1999. Descent is however traced patrilineally from the male children of the ancestress i. Major towns. People of the same Abusua share a common ancestor somewhere within their bloodline, which may go back as far as thousands of years. Your privacy is extremely important to us. The Agona Clan predominantly occupy the Denkyira area. Children who trace their genealogy to one patrilineal father may therefore share similar family names. Nkansa-Kyeremateng, K. (1996). The Tena-Bretuo arrived from the north. See more. Nana Yankyimadu of Akorokyere is their well known ancestor. The Asenie people believe their ancestors emerged out of the earth (Nkansa-Kyeremateng, 1996, p. 31). This is the only clan whose members are occasionally spoken of as actual descendants of the totem animal. The totem is any sacred object, a symbol or an emblem for a group of people, which functions as a reminder of the group's ancestry or mythical past (Goswami, 2018). There are several Abusua that transcend the different ethnic subgroups outside of the ancient seven. Taboos: Totem animals may not be eaten or handled, not to use ka any piece of fishing net as sponge, not to eat a piece of egg azikak, not to eat dough prepared in aianu a wooden tray, penalty for violation is rashes. [Accessed 24 May 2005], GhanaWeb.com. Milton Keynes, UK: AuthorHouse. This clan played a very important role in the trade with Europe. Defeating the Ada People in a surprise attack and later gaining control of the Volta Lake, the Danish company set its eye on Anlo. Why this entrance exam at the British Council gate? Taboos: Never to kill or eat the flesh of a buffalo. B. One Junior High School (JHS) student, Richard Appiah, said totems were the walking sticks of chiefs and linguists. Aduana contemporary states are Akwamu, Asumegya and Kumawu. And pupils at the elementary level of education are taught the meanings and colours of such totem. When they die members of this clan have their faces covered with leaves of raffia specially woven. 24 May 2005. Volta Region: Anlo clans and their Totems - Ewe Ghana 1. The Gonjas have their belief in the Supreme Being, 'Ebore', natural spirits, and traditional powers. The morning star is placed inside a rotating wheel and the symbol gives out the meaning of love, harmony and faithfulness. The ruling families of Akim Abuakwa, Akuapem, and Kwahu Mpraeso in the Eastern Region also belong to the Asona clan. The Asona Clan is the biggest clan among the Akan clans since a lot of people belong this clan is said to be the mother of all the Akan clans.Oral tradition has it that the Asona Clan were led out of a cave by a Snake and protected by an Elephant to their various destinations in Akyem and Edweso in the Ashanti Region. Taboos: Members of this clan are forbidden to eat their totem fish. The traditions and culture of this group are heavily . Though each clan has a chief, he always takes into account viewpoints of other members of the clan. "Press Review of Sunday, 3 October 1999." See More, Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. IvyPanda. Each clan is headed by a family head known as . Other towns of the Asona are Akyem Begoro, Akyem Asiakwa, New Juaben, Akyem Wenchi, Kukurantumi, Akyem Tafo, Akuapem-Akropong, Akuapem Amanokrom, Akyem Kwarbeng, Ejura, Feyiase, Manso-Nkwanta, Bonwire, Atwima-Agogo, Abrakaso, Trabuom, Beposo, Toase, and Odumase Ahanta Ntaakrom, Gomoa Asin The head of all Asona towns is Adansi Akrofuom. 2005 - 2023 Graphic Online | Graphic Communications Group Ltd. The Agona group arrived in Ghana in the middle of the 16th century. This coat of arms represents a certain ideology. When properly utilised, Ghana can earn foreign exchange from people coming to learn about these historical totems of our clans, communities, kings and chiefs. In his essay "Le Totmisme aujourdhui" (Totemism Today), the anthropologist, Claude Levi-Strauss argued that human cognition, which is based on analogical thought, is independent of social context. Agona Abusua, Asona, Asakyire, Biretuo, Oyoko, Asenie, Asakyire and Ekuona form the eight Abusua of the Akans, and the smallest among them is the Asakyire Abusua. Totems And Wildlife Conservation - Ghanaians Must Know Their Totems Anyone who sees these totems is psychologically forced to rack the brains or to make certain inquiries in order to get the meanings of what the designs represent. For instance, an Asona man cannot marry an Asona woman. It is, rather, a more efficient way to cope with this particular mode of life in which abstractions are rare, and in which the physical environment is in direct friction with the society. In this paper, I consider major peculiarities of the eight clans and analyze the impact this social structure has on the present life of the Akan people. Below is an in-depth knowledge on the eight Abusua of the Akans and their totems (animals they are represented by); Totem: The totem of the Agona Abusua is a Parrot Known as "Akoo" among the Akan ethnic group.