Asafo

**Asafo** be traditional warrior groups insyd Akan culture, wey base on lineal descent. De word dey derive from sa, wey dey mean war, den fo, wey dey mean people. De traditional role of de Asafo companies be defence of de state. As de result of contact plus European colonial powers on de Gold Coast (present-day Ghana), de Fante, wey dey inhabit de coastal region, develop an especially complex version of de concept in terms of ein social den political organization based on martial principles, den plus elaborate traditions of visual art, wey dey include flag banners plus figurative scenes, den designs wey dey allude to historical events anaa proverbs.

*Posuban* shrines (dem derive de name from a corrupted form of de word "post" dem combine plus de word "ban", wey dey signify a fortification) be traditional structures dem usually make of concrete, intricately designed den painted plus bright colours, wey dey serve as both military den religious posts give Asafo groups, as well as meeting grounds.

## Asafo societies on de Gold Coast

### Elmina

Insyd Elmina, Asafo companies emerge insyd de early 18th century out of de wards of Elmina wey exist since at least de 17th century. De omission of a description of Asafo companies insyd Willem Bosman ein Nauwkeurige beschrijving (1703) dey lead academic Harvey Feinberg to de conclusion say na dese companies no fi be very important by dat date. Dis change insyd de first quarter of de 18th century, wen na dem complement de original three wards by four new wards wey dey consist of new immigrant groups to Elmina.

Insyd 1724, wen na de Dutch dey hia de help of de Elminese to oust John Canoe from Fort Groß Friedrichsburg, dem organize de wards into rank order, wey each ward get a number den an established military formation. Na e be dis occasion wey give rise to de domination of Asafo companies insyd de socio-political life of Elmina, den of de 10 Asafo companies wey dey exist today, na dem mention seven insyd 1724:

* No. 1 Ankobea (sanso Ankobia)
* No. 2 Akyemfo (sanso Akim)
* No. 3 Akyem-Nkodwo (sanso Encodjo)
* No. 4 Wombir (previously Assamfoe, Appendjafoe)
* No. 5 Abese (sanso Abesi)
* No. 6 Alatamanfo (sanso Allade, Adjadie)
* No. 7 Eyampa

Na all companies be headed by a tufohen, den each one of dem get ein own flag. Na dem rank de Asafo companies insyd reverse order of importance. Asafo company No. 7 Eyampa suppose to be de company of de founder of Elmina, Kwa Amankwaa. Dis company still dey elect de King of Elmina, wey for either be from de Nsona anaa Anona royal family. Asafo company No. 3 Akyem-Nkodwo dey elect de leader of all Asafo companies dem know as de Great Ensign (Dutch: Groot Vaandrig). Na dis be de case under Dutch influence. However, de commander of all de Asafo companies insyd Elmina now be known as de Tufuhene. De importance of rank be illustrated by de conflict between No. 5 Abese den No. 6 Alatamanfo insyd de late 1750s over de number six position. Na e be only wen Governor Jan Pieter Theodoor Huydecoper threaten to fire cannon from Fort Coenraadsburg into Elmina wey na dem finally settle de conflict.

Insyd de 19th century, na dem add three Asafo companies to de existing seven: 

* No. 8 Brofomba
* No. 9 Maa wore
* No. 10 Akrampafo

No. 8 Brofomba consist of refugees from Eguafo den Simbiw, wey flee to Elmina during de Fante War of 1810. No. 9 Maa wore consist of de descendants of de slaves wey na dem work give de Dutch West India Company wey dem collectively dismissed insyd de early 19th century. No. 10 Akrampafo consist of free citizens (Dutch: *vrijburgers*). Dis company comprise mulattoes wey na dem consider equals to de European officers, wey na dem often work insyd de lower ranks of de Dutch administration. Dis company elect de burgomaster of Elmina.

### Cape Coast
Insyd Cape Coast (Oguaa traditional area) der be traditionally seven asafo companies: *Bentsir, Anaafo, Ntin, Nkum, Brofomba, Akrampa* den *Amanful.* Each company be headed by a superior captain (*"Supi"*) den under de *Supi* be a captain (*"Safohen"*). De leader of de asafo companies be de *Tufuhen*, dem sanso spell *Twafohen* anaa *Twaafohen* (master of arms), wey be regarded as de General Captain plus responsibility for giving orders den directing affairs if war break out.

De asafo companies dey feature largely insyd de Fetu Afahye festival of Cape Coast, dem hold annually on de first Saturday of September.

## Colours
Each Asafo company get designated uniform colours wey na be historically established. Esi Sutherland-Addy dey identify dese insyd Oguaa as:

* No. 1. Bentsir – red
* No. 2. Anafo – blue and white
* No. 3. Ntsin – green
* No. 4. Nkum – yellow
* No. 5. Amanful – wine and black
* No. 6. Abrofomba (Brofo Nkoa) – white
* No. 7. Ankrampa – white and black

## Read further

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*  PhD Thesis.
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## Sanso spy

* Akan chieftaincy

## References


## External links

* twi.bb Online dictionary for the Twi language of the Akan people of Ghana in West Africa.
* Fetu Afahye Festival 2010 2/2 Chiefs arrive, YouTube.
* Brian L. Perkins (10 January 1994), "Traditional Institution in Coastal Development: Asafo Companies in Cape Coast History", DigitalCollections@SIT, African Diaspora Collection.
* Ella Jeffreys, "War People: A Cultural History of Violence among the Fante Asafo" (PhD thesis). SOAS, University of London, 2021.