MILLINIUM KINGDOM ( GYE NYAME )

Although a whole lots of Kingdoms have being in existence for the past years and decades ago.Some does not even exist any more. If they even still exist, They have had different changes which have also change it's direction of focus.

But for one Kingdom, I know for sure and have even had the chance to experience same Kind of traditions and cultures which was laid down by the founder.
This Kingdom is the Ashanti Kingdom.

The Kingdom just celebrated 75 years of existence.They have the same traditions and culture over and over again without any modernization of any nature.They have the same bravery attitude from the time they captured many lands across Ghana and beyond.They have great historic background.

The Ashantis,being 2/3's (TWO Thirds) of the population of Ghana have respect for their Kings.Those down the hierarchy have strong respect for their top Kings.

The home of the Ashanti Kingdom is Manhyia.Many people from different places of this continent often comes to Manhyia see the rich culture that have been maintain for decades.

The only occupant of the Golden Stool Otumfuo Osei Tutu Ababio II is a great Millinium King who settles disputes so easily and quickly.His wisdom has being ranked in this world as the King Solomon of our modern times.A great King of our time.

No King comes near.Any Chief who thinks he can rock shoulders with the Otumfuo is deceiving and making a fool out of himself,because there is vast difference between a King and a Chief.

One deems it a great privilege and honor to be under the King.We the subordinates recognizes him as our One and only Great King of our time.

These small Chiefs who wants to rock shoulders should remember that if it was in the older days,any disobedient Chief to the Golden Stool and Manhyia,were said to be brought to the Manhyia with only his skuul.

Long Live Ashanti Kingdom!!! Long Live Ghana !!!

The Sword

One of the most fast growing tourist attraction center in Kumasi is the Okomfo Anokye Museum found inside the Okomfo Anokye Teaching hospital.

The health worker of the hospital will testify that the number of tourist coming in keeps increasing.

It is found inside the compound of the hospital because that is the exact place the event took place.

History has it that,Okomfo Anokye, who was a great friend of Otumfuo Osei Tutu I( the founder of the great Ashanti nation)

and great contributor of the coming of the Golden Stool from the sky, planted the sword on the grounds.

Since then, it has being on the ground till now.

Seeing is believing

THE TUNE

Drumming among Ashanti's have been in existence for a long time now, over centuries ago.It plays an important role in most activities ranging from durbars to festivals like the Odwira and the like.

From the olden days up till now, its still the same tune and plays significant role today too.

During the olden days drums,were used in different ways.Such as

TIME
Before the introduction watch/clock,drums were used to covey time,in morning,mid day and evening drums would sound give time exact time of the day

MASSAGES
Drums were played in the olden days to send massages of all Kinds from the Chiefs to the people.

Every tune had its own meaning.For example,if a King wanted his subordinates to gather at once, there is a tune played together with the gong gong,so within a short time then they will all gather.

VICTORY
When enemies got defeated, special tunes were played for celebration in the olden days.

SOME FORMS OF DRUMMING ARE;
KETE
ADOWA
MPINTIN
NWOMKRO
FONTOMFROM

There are also dances that moved with the different tunes of drums.
Let's take the Kete for instance, a dancer dancing Kete can dance to pay allegiance to Kings and Chief around.

They brings out proverbs in form of making signs.These signs have their meaning such as respect,permission,appreciation and ownership.

Last but not least, they dance to give thanks.

Lastly, insults too can given whiles dancing,especially among rivalry women.

In this modern times,drumming is not left out during occasions such as festivals, individuals outdoing,engagements and lastly funerals.

People specifically come and learn how to play Kete.

THE DUNGEON

The Cape Coast Castle Dungeon is a much talked place among people throughout the world which I have wanted to see since birth.Upon this brought His Excellency President Obama and his family all the way from America to Ghana.But it was only a couple of months ago that I got the chance to witness it my self.

One Saturday,Me and a friend were driving around Kumasi when we heard an announcement on our radio that Panafest is on-going and it was a great event,so we turned and drives straight to Cape Coast.By about two to three a hours drive we were there.

I was so curious to see the dungeon where the Ancestors of Most African Americans came from.So we went and buy our tickets to enter.Because of the Panafest, there were so many people from all around the world.

Some of our brothers and sisters from the diaspora were also there.Some African Americans we were going round the castle with by help of a Tour Guide said they are there to find their routes.some burst out crying upon seeing the Dungeon,because they saw the pains our great great grand fathers went through.

From there,we went straight to the beach to have fun.We played football with guys from Cape Coast,took our favourite drinks and socialized.

AFRICAN LOOKS

Some well carved faces showing the artistic nature of Africans especially Ghanaians exhibits the different faces of which is each face have perculiar meanings of

Artistic: They are creative people who always weave,curve,paints etc to the amusement of people.They create using anything they found on the ground being the soil it self or a plant on the ground.They uses symbols to represent a saying or an adage.Such as the Adinkra symbols of the Ashantis in Ghana.

Warious: They were also known for their ability to gather themselves at a point in time under one leader to fight for a common goal.Such as the Yaa Asantewaah war.

Bravery:They also had strong heart to push them to come face to face with who ever it was and see who stays out defeated.

Aticulateness: They were robust and looks like men and are ready to attack like soldiers


FearlessJust like the Lion who exists in the in an environment and have no idea of some thing coimg on its way to scarce it.So there is always free row to play.

strongnessNot only do they have it physically but are mentally sound and active people,

THE BEAUTY OF KENTE

The splendid and colorful nature of the Kente cloth makes it so attractive.It is made from spined cotton threads with traditional style of weaving attached to it.It comes along with a song got from the weaving machine.The kro,kro,kro,hie,kro which has been a song among the Ashanti's was derived from weaving the Kente.

Our Ancestors told us that the Kente Cloth came about as result of a hunter who went to hurt very late in the night,after scavenging for a longer time without having any animal to hunt, he sat down under a big tree to rest,whiles sitting and starring a one place for a while he saw something like a web,then he started getting closer,upon getting near,he saw a big spider weaving.It was a big and beautiful web the spider was doing so the hunter hid himself so as to not to disturb the spider.

He hid there hours studying the spider.It continued for sometime,Each day the hunter would come and study the patterns of the spider.

From then,he started weaving those patterns,joined them together to get the Kente cloth.So he made ends meat from them.People started learning it and it spread.The original Kente cloth comes from Bonwire in the Ashanti land.

It was worn by royals in Ashanti to show case the rich culture and people.Now every one wears them during great occasions such as engagements,out dooring,birthdays,durbars etc.

It a cloth mostly used to honour great people in the world when the need arises.Is a symbol of high office and beautifies every type of person.

It usually tells people where you are coming from.From home.

REAL GHANAIAN PAINTINGS

There are a whole lot of paintings all around these days,They comes in different forms,sizes and styles.And each have its own peculiar way of expressing it's self.I have come across such paintings over and over again but they never touch me so much like those found at the center for National culture Kumasi.

These are done by talented and skillful African artists found in Kumasi.They always comes out with touching artistic works which sends good massages such as peace,unity,love and understanding across.

Unlike others, these are antique and valuable works of great African Artist in Ghana.Their ideas are overwhelming and encouraging.

They usually do works which uplift the spirit of desperate youths to be on their own and have they in mind that whatever the situation they can make it.

They are also source of inspiration whenever they are around the home.They brighten the living room and sometimes shows where one is coming from.