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Ethnic Group Background ( Akan / Ashanti )

Better Essays

Julian L. McEachin
Jan 14, 2015
History 320
Dr. Conchita Ndege

Ghana

Table of Contents
• Ethnic group background(Akan/Ashanti)
• Arts, Crafts, and Architecture
• Culture, Food, and History
• Map of County, and Flag

The Akan people were once a unique group that flourished in the Ivory Coast and in the Ghana regions of West Africa. The Akan’s were a religious group, mostly Christians that strived on order and balance. At a point in time the Akan’s were grouped together in a small kingdom called Bonoman where they took part in many activities like slavery and mining for gold so they can prevail and overcome adversity.
These activities provided money since most still lived in an extended family system. The extended …show more content…

The Akan people had a sub ethnic group called the Ashanti. The Ashanti people lived in Central Ghana. The Ashanti people are a major ethnic group of the Akan’s in Ghana. Much of Ghana was ruled from the late 17th through the late 19th and Ashanti is in the center and Kumasi is the capital. The Ashanti were the biggest community in Ghana and has one of the biggest populations.
The Ashanti people were always known for their fights in battle since they never quit. They have a saying: "If I go forward I die, if I go backward I die, better go forward and die." When the Ashanti community was faced with war, they used drums to signal the battle. The Ashanti have a special handshake, in which you hold your left hand out to shake hands. This comes from the Ashanti 's explanation that the left hand holds the shield, and the right hand holds the spears. So, in order to show your trust in someone, you put down your shield and therefore have your left hand free.
The Ashanti people held their family and mothers are most important. A child is said to inherit the father 's soul or spirit and from the mother a child receives flesh and blood. The Ashanti live in an extended family since they are still apart of the Akan community. The family lives in various homes or huts that are set up around a courtyard. The head of the household is usually the oldest brother that lives there. The elders choose him. He is called either Father or House father and

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