The Mankessim Kingdom (1252–1844) Old Fante Confedracy was a pre-colonial African state in modern-day Ghana. It is regarded as the heartland of the Fante people, and operated as capital of the Modern Fante Confederacy in the 19th century. The city of Mankessim still exists and is located in the central region of Ghana, about an hour and a half west of Accra and half and hours drive east of Cape Coast . The Mankessim Kingdom's influence included not only their own kingdom, but extended to the whole of the Fante people, and at times the entire coast of modern-day Ghana. Origin The Fante people claim to have separated from other Akan People in Bono Kingdom around 1250 AD. This act became the origin of their name, "Fa-atsew" meaning "the half that left". The Fante left their Akan brethren at Krako, present day Techiman in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana, and became their own distinct Akan group. The Fante people were led by three great warriors known as Obrumankoma, Odapagya and Oson (the whale, the eagle and the elephant respectively). According to tradition, Obrumankoma and Odapagya died on this exodus and were embalmed and carried the rest of the way. Oson led the people to what would become Mankessim in 1252. Legend has it that the Fante's chief fetish priest, Komfo Amona, planted a spear in the ground when they reached the location of the settlement. The spear is called the Akyin-Enyim, meaning "in front of god". The place became the meeting place for the Fante elders and the head fetish priest when discussing important matters. The first Omanhene (king) of Mankessim (Brafo; Ambrado) was installed here, and later kingmakers would visit the site for consultation. According to the Fante, the spear cannot be removed by mortal hands. The land the Fante reached was initially called Adoakyir by its existing inhabitants, which the Fante called "Etsi-fue-yifo" meaning people with bushy hair. The Fante conquered these people after a series of wars and renamed the settlement Oman-kesemu, meaning large town. The name has evolved into the current name, Mankessim. Organization The Fante have always been an independent amalgamation of various states who governed themselves by a very sophisticated federal system. In fact, scholars are only now begining to study how complex the traditional Fante system works as opposed to a Kingdom headed by one King. However their traditional capital has always been Mankessim. In times or war, all Fante states provided men for the Union Army which was often commanded by the Paramount Chief of Abura. Their system of organizing themselves into military groups, or companies, called Asafo, to defend themselves from Europeans, non-Akan groups in the vicinity, as well as separate Akan groups - most notably the Ashanti in later centuries have led to the immense popularity of the Asafo Flags and Pusuban Shrines. It is widely believed that this organization of Asafo (warriors) has some European influences. Although the Fante encountered and traded with Europeans for more than 400 years, it is only in 1890s did they British finally begin to exert some control over their lands. Tradition has it that the Fante sub-groups Ekumfi, Abora, Enyan, Nkusukum and Kurentsir were the first to settle Mankessim. They were later joined by the Gomoa, Ajumako, Akatakyi and the Edina. Today Fantes are mainly located in the Central and Western Regions of Ghana and some in the Ivory Coast. A small minority of Fantes having European ancestry due to intermarriage. The Ashanti threat In the early 19th century, the Ashanti after finally breaking free from the Denkyira, whom they were a vassal state began expanding their control over the central Gold Coast through a series of conquering wars , sending many people fleeing to the coast. The Fante aided and granted asylum to the Denkyira, Assin and others. Fante communities outside of Mankessim therefore became targets of the Ashanti, and they decided to unite in defense. Of their lands and trade routes to the coast. In 1806, the first Ashanti–Fante War resulted in a humiliating defeat for the Fante. This Fante until this time were the most powerful and most dominant Kingdom in the Gold Coast. They controlled all trade between various European nations and the interior. This hedgemony was being threatened by the Ashanti. The Fante had also been fighting a long and taxing war with the Dutch to their west from Elmina all the way to Axim. In fact, at some point, Fante Union army surrounded their own town of Elmina threatening to destroy the Dutch and all inhabitants. The Dutch had become allies of the Ashantis and they saw the need to drive them away from their lands. In 1811, the Fante again went to war with the Ashanti,  losing in open battle, but forcing a humiliating withdrawal of Ashantis from Mfantseman by using punishing guerrilla tactics. In 1844, the Fante signed a bond with the British that allied themselves to the British , but were guaranteed self-governance. However, the British, and the Dutch on the coast, did little to recognize Fante sovereignty. Decline of the Confederacy The early successes of the modern Fante confederacy were short-lived, and a protracted war with the Dutch, backers of the Ashanti Kingdom , left them in ruins. In 1873, the British proclaimed the entire coast of Ghana (then known as the Gold Coast) a protectorate of the crown. The Fante allied themselves to the British that same year in return for money, guns and a license to make war on any invading Ashanti on behalf of the British. Mankessim continued to hold cultural and political importance among the Fante . The Fante became fierce advocates for decolonization and many prominent Fante leaders, lawyers m, scholars and businessmen were involved in the fight for independence from the early 1900 until independence in 1957 when they together with all Akans, Ga-Adangbe, Ewes and various Northern tribes became the modern Republic of Ghana. Through such resistance, they became such a menace that the British moved the capital of the Gold Coast from Oguaa (Cape Coast) to Accra .
The Mankessim Kingdom (1252–1844) was a pre-colonial African state in modern-day Ghana. It is regarded as the heartland of the Fante people, and operated as capital of the Fante Confederacy in the 19th century. The town of Mankessim still exists and is located in the central region of Ghana, about an hour and a half west of Accra . The Mankessim Kingdom's influence included not only their own kingdom, but extended to the whole of the Fante people, and at times the entire coast of modern-day Ghana. Origin The Fante people claim to have separated from the Bono people, around 1250 AD. This act became the origin of their name, "Fa-atsew" meaning "the half that left". The Fante left their Bono brethren at Krako, present day Techiman in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana, and became their own distinct Akan group. The Fante people were led by three great warriors known as Obrumankoma, Odapagya and Oson (the whale, the eagle and the elephant respectively). According to tradition, Obrumankoma and Odapagya died on this exodus and were embalmed and carried the rest of the way. Oson led the people to what would become Mankessim in 1252. Legend has it that the Fante's chief fetish priest, Komfo Amona, planted a spear in the ground when they reached the location of the settlement. The spear is called the Akyin-Enyim, meaning "in front of god". The place became the meeting place for the Fante elders and the head fetish priest when discussing important matters. The first Omanhene (king) of Mankessim was installed here, and later kingmakers would visit the site for consultation. According to the Fante, the spear cannot be removed by mortal hands. The land the Fante reached was initially called Adoakyir by its existing inhabitants, which the Fante called "Etsi-fue-yifo" meaning people with bushy hair. The Fante conquered these people and renamed the settlement Oman-kesemu, meaning large town. The name has evolved into the current name, Mankessim. Organization The Fante quickly organized themselves into military groups, or companies, called Asafo, to defend themselves from non-Akan groups in the vicinity, as well as separate Akan groups - most notably the Ashanti in later centuries . Tradition has it that the Fante sub-groups Ekumfi, Abora, Enyan, Nkusukum and Kurentsir were the first to settle Mankessim. They were later joined by the Gomoa, Ajumako, Akatakyi and the Edina. The Ashanti threat In the early 19th century, the Ashanti began expanding their control over Ghana , sending many people fleeing to the coast. Fante communities outside of Mankessim became targets of the Ashanti, and decided to unite in defense. In 1806, the first Ashanti–Fante War resulted in a humiliating defeat for the Fante. In 1811, the Fante again went to war with the Ashanti, again losing in open battle, but forcing a withdrawal by using guerrilla tactics. In 1844, the Fante put themselves under British protection , but were guaranteed self-governance. However, the British, and the Dutch on the coast, did little to recognize Fante sovereignty. Decline The early successes of the confederacy were short-lived, and a protracted war with the Dutch, backers of the Ashanti Confederacy , left them in ruins. In 1873, the British proclaimed the entire coast of Ghana (then known as the Gold Coast) a protectorate of the crown. The Fante dissolved their confederacy that same year in return for money, guns and a license to make war on any invading Ashanti on behalf of the British. Mankessim continued to hold cultural and political importance among the Fante , but was never again an independent force in the region .
D
Old Fante Confedracy
D
Modern
R
city
town
D
and half and hours drive east of Cape Coast
R
other Akan People in Bono Kingdom
the Bono people,
R
Akan
Bono
D
(Brafo; Ambrado)
D
after a series of wars
D
have always been an independent amalgamation of various states who governed themselves by a very sophisticated federal system. In fact, scholars are only now begining to study how complex the traditional Fante system works as opposed to a Kingdom headed by one King.
R
However their traditional capital has always been Mankessim. In times or war, all Fante states provided men for the Union Army which was often commanded by the Paramount Chief of Abura. Their system of organizing themselves
quickly organized themselves
D
Europeans,
D
have led to the immense popularity of the Asafo Flags and Pusuban Shrines. It is widely believed that this organization of Asafo (warriors) has some European influences.
R
Although the Fante encountered and traded with Europeans for more than 400 years, it is only in 1890s did they British finally begin to exert some control over their lands.
.
D
Today Fantes are mainly located in the Central and Western Regions of Ghana and some in the Ivory Coast. A small minority of Fantes having European ancestry due to intermarriage.
D
after finally breaking free from the Denkyira, whom they were a vassal state
R
the central Gold Coast through a series of conquering wars
Ghana
R
The Fante aided and granted asylum to the Denkyira, Assin and others. Fante
Fante
D
therefore
D
they
D
Of their lands and trade routes to the coast.
D
This Fante until this time were the most powerful and most dominant Kingdom in the Gold Coast. They controlled all trade between various European nations and the interior. This hedgemony was being threatened by the Ashanti. The Fante had also been fighting a long and taxing war with the Dutch to their west from Elmina all the way to Axim. In fact, at some point, Fante Union army surrounded their own town of Elmina threatening to destroy the Dutch and all inhabitants. The Dutch had become allies of the Ashantis and they saw the need to drive them away from their lands.
A
again
R
humiliating withdrawal of Ashantis from Mfantseman by using punishing
withdrawal by using
R
signed a bond with the British that allied themselves to the British
put themselves under British protection
D
of the Confederacy
D
modern Fante
R
Kingdom
Confederacy
R
allied themselves to the British
dissolved their confederacy
R
. The Fante became fierce advocates for decolonization and many prominent Fante leaders, lawyers m, scholars and businessmen were involved in the fight for independence from the early 1900 until independence in 1957 when they together with all Akans, Ga-Adangbe, Ewes and various Northern tribes became the modern Republic of Ghana. Through such resistance, they became such a menace that the British moved the capital of the Gold Coast from Oguaa (Cape Coast) to Accra
, but was never again an independent force in the region