thetrainingofagegroupcohorts,thecontinuation
of the religious traditions, and the keeping of cus-
tomsandbeliefs.EldersintheMwiriaredepended
on for their wisdom, proverbs, and knowledge.
Womeninthesocietyhavetheirowncommunities
andorganizationsofsecrets;theyareusedforsim-
ilar purposes in the training of young women.
Each cultural tradition is interpreted through
music and dance, and the young people are
expected to master the tradition and transmit it to
their own children. However, there is some con-
cernthattheOkandepeopleareavanishinggroup
given the low numbers of people who still speak
the language. In some respects, the people have
been imposed on by the growing urbanization of
their area and the migration to the region of other
ethnic groups. One cannot truly understand the
Okandewithoutsomeappreciationoftheirattach-
ment to the ancestors.
In this culture, the living seek to honor the
ancestors and to get their imprimatur for every-
thing. Once a person has made the necessary cer-
emonial and sacrificial rituals to the ancestors, it
is possible to advance other ideas about health,
wealth, and sustainability of the culture. For the
Okande,theancestorsarethemagnetsforbeauty,
truth, virtue, and human capacity. Each person
seeks to please the ancestors to be acceptable as a
humanwhoisworthyofrespect.Onerespectsthe
ancestors so that one will also be respected. This
is the eternal narrative that the Okande are strug-
gling to maintain.
Molefi Kete AsanteSee alsoGa
Further Readings
Peek, P. M. (Ed.). (1991).African Divination Systems:
Ways of Knowing. Bloomington: Indiana University
Press.
Perner, C. (1992). Living on Earth in the Sky.Journal of
Religion in Africa, 22 , 23–46.
Razafintsalama, A. (1988). Les ancêtres au coeur de la
vie et de la sagesse: Jalons pour une théologie en terre
Malgache.Telema, 53 , 11–29.
Sarpong, P. (1974). The Influence of Traditional
Religions on African Christianity.Bulletin of the
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, 25 ,
27–42.
OKOMFOANOKYE
Okomfo Anokye, who was born Kwame Anokye
Frimpon Kotobre, became the greatest lawgiver
and wisest sage of Akan history. Known by histo-
rians for his tremendous abilities in healing, regu-
lating nature, and establishing codes of conduct,
Anokye was essentially a spiritual leader, hence
the title Okomfo, which is usually rendered in
English aspriest.
Anokye was born around 1655 in Akwapem in
thekingdomofAkwamuinanareasoutheastofthe
important Asante city of Kumasi during the early
part of the 17th century. Asante historians have
claimed that Anokye’s mother was an Asante and
hisfatherwasanAdansi.Furthermore,someschol-
ars claim that he was related to Osei Tutu, the
military leader and cofounder, with Anokye, of
the Asante Empire. What is clear, however, is that
Anokyewaslargelyresponsibleforcreatingthecon-
stitution,codes,andcustomsoftheAsantepeople.
AtAkwapem,Anokyebefriendedayoungman,
Osei Tutu I, who was to become the first king of
theAsanteEmpire.Theybecameclosefriendsand
participated in the creation of the legal, political,
and philosophical foundation of Asante. It was
Anokye who was responsible for producing the
Golden Stool that established the legal authority
of Osei Tutu I as the Asantehene, King of the
Asante Nation.
Anokye is the principal architect of Asante
laws,religion,andsupernaturalpowers.Heissaid
to have buried a sword in the ground to the hilt.
AccordingtotheauthoritiesofAsanteculture,the
sword cannot be removed without destroying the
AsanteNation.Theswordremainsfirmlyinplace
even now.
According to historians, Anokye is believed to
have used his considerable intellectual and psy-
chological abilities to influence the Akan people
around Kumasi to gain military and political
confidence to confront their enemies. Because he
had strong oratorical gifts and spiritual power,
Anokye was able to create within the Asante
people the idea of their invincibility if they fol-
lowed their own traditions.
By 1695, Anokye and Osei Tutu I had created
a capital region, organized the state councils,
reorganized the army according to a new martialOkomfo Anokye 487