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Kumasi is located in the Rain Forest region of Ghana and is popularly known as "The Garden City" because of its varous species of flowers and plants. The capital of the Asanti Region, Kumasi is the second-largest city in Ghana, West Africa.
In the south-central part of the country, Kumasi is approximately 300 miles north of the Equator, 100 miles north of the Atlantic's Gulf of Guinea, and 100 miles west of the Prime Meridian. The city is located on the Busumtwe River, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. While terrain surrounding Kumasi is relatively flat, the countryside is lush with tropical vegetation.
With over 2.5 million citizens, the city spans a radius of 18 to 20 miles. Kumasi's population is comprised of 80 percent Christian and 20 percent Muslim. Sister City Affiliation: The city was made an official Charlotte Sister City in 1996 after delegations visited both cities.
Trade, commerce, farming and mining are leading industries in Kumasi. In addition, its region boasts a rich cultural heritage particularly evident in smaller surrounding towns. Other riches abound, with wealth derived from substantial gold deposits and agricultural products. Cocoa and high-quality hardwood are other major exports.
Kumasi is home to numerous educational institutions, including the University of Science and Technology, one of Ghana's premiere facilities of higher learning. English is the official language of Kumasi, and its native language is Asanti (TWI).
A relatively young city, Kumasi was founded in the early 19th century by King Osei Tutu. The king named the city after the KUM tree, which he planted as a symbol of victory for the Asanti Empire over the British.
The Asanti region has been independent since 1875 even though Ghana itself only declared independence in 1957. A descendant of King Osei Tutu, Nana Opoku-Ware, is king of the Asanti region today, receiving allegiance from the people within the democracy of Ghana. He is said to be the richest king on Africa's West Coast.
The king resides in Kumasi, and his home, the Manhyia Palace, is one of the city's most spectacular sights. Legend has it that a golden stool in the palace descended from heaven, and that near the palace grounds a copper sword was said to have been driven into the ground by an ancient priest, which no one has been able to remove by any means.
Along with history and legend, Kumasi is a fast-growing, contemporary city. It is filled with avid sports enthusiasts who are especially proud of their soccer team, the Kumasi Asanti Kotoko. The team has won numerous national and continental awards. Article Taken from this site. Kumasi Article Link
Flag of the Ashanti people The Ashanti (also Asante) are a major ethnic group from Africa who speak a dialect of Akan.
Prior to European colonization, the Ashanti Confederacy was a major state in western Africa, particularly from 1570 to 1900. Ashanti wealth was based on the region's substantial deposits of gold. These rich gold deposits led to metalworking among the Ashanti. The Ashanti people were a powerful matriarchal tribe.
Under successive paramount chiefs (called "Asantehenes"), the kingdom participated in the African slave trade. The Ashanti captured people of surrounding regions and sold them to European slavers. In 1827, the Ashanti confederacy banned slave trading. The trade ceased in the early-to-middle 19th century.
Ashanti was one of the few African states able to offer serious resistance to the European imperialists. Between 1826 and 1896, Britain fought four wars against the Ashanti kings (the Anglo-Ashanti Wars), one of which was notable as the first conflict in which the Maxim gun was used. In 1900, the British finally subdued the kingdom and renamed it the Gold Coast colony. A revered figure in Asante history is Yaa Asantewaa, a leader of the resistance against British colonialism in 1896.
One particularly important Ashanti artifact was a golden stool. The Ashanti Golden Stool was sacred, so that no one could sit on, touch, or even approach it. In 1900, British Gold Coast governor Frederick Hodgson attempted to take the Golden Stool, which sparked an uprising by the Ashanti that took months to put down.
The territory occupied by the Kingdom of Ashanti is now part of Ghana. The hereditary Ashanti crown continues to be honored by the Ashanti people alongside the authority of the state. Article taken From Wikipedia
According to legend, the sword sticks out of the earth exactly where the Golden Stool descended from heaven, thus marking the beginning of the Asante people. It is said that should the sword ever be removed, the Asante kingdom will cease to exist. Unfortunately, although I arrived well within "office hours", the guard of the sword had already gone home with the key of the building.
The last landmark I visited was the Manhyia Palace, built by the British to accomodate the King upon arrival from the Seychelles where he had been in exile at the beginning of the 20th century. The actual king now has his own, new palace and the old palace is turned into a museum. Where you might expect huge rooms and luxurious furniture, the palace is actually a humble house with humble furnishing.
This certainly added to my respect for the King. In some rooms, wax copies of deceased Kings and Queen Mothers can be found which are very realistic indeed. The first one I saw actually made me think that I had the honour to meet His Majesty in person. This Photo and text was taken fro this site.
King and Queen of Kumasi
Kumasi is the capital city of the Ashanti region of Ghana. Because of the varied plant life in the area, it is known as "The Garden City." It is located in the south-central part of the country, about 250 km (by road) northwest of Accra. More history of Kumasi
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