The Akan tribe have a very strong belief that two elements make them. These elements are Blood and Spirit .These elements are obtained from your Father and Mother. Your spirit comes from your Father which determines your “Nton” and your blood comes from your mother which determines your “Abusua”. Akans inherit and succeed matrilineal so you are what you mother is.For example if your Mother is from Asona and your Father is from Agona you are from Asona since inheritance by Akans is matrilineal. Most clans have have towns founded by their ancestors so each clan exercises authority over these towns. Chiefs for these various towns are selected from clans, that is from the Woman’s family. Children from the Woman’s side are considered to be royals whiles Children from the Man’s family are not considered to be royals.
There are Eight clans among the Akans they are;
1.Oyoko and Adako Clan.
2.Bretuo Clan.
3.Agona Clan.
4.Asona Clan.
5.Asenie Clan.
6.Aduana Clan.
7.Ekuona Clan.
8.Asakyiri Clan.
These various clans have their founding Fathers, Various totem animals they use to represent them,their mode of greetings,their peculiarities among others. Let’s begin with the most powerful among these clans. This is not to say that the other Clans are not as powerful.
1. OYOKO CLAN.
The Oyoko clan is the clan in which the King of the Asante Monarch His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll hails from. This is the clan of all Ashanti Kings and the strong hold of the Akan tribe. It’s main town’s are Kumasi and Dwaben. Oyoko clan usually don’t intermarry even from different towns and villages. The first known Oyoko woman was Nana Ekuru who migrated from Adansi to settle in Asuom. Their totem animal is the Falcon. The peculiar characteristics of the Oyoko clan are Patience,Bravery and Statesmanship. When greeted their response is “Yaa Obiri Nana”. Other towns of the Oyoko clan include Kokofu,Bekwae,Mamponten,Bogyaa,Dadieso,Obogu,Atobiase,Pampaso,Kontonase,Kwabere_Kenyase,Sawua,Ahenkro,Adumase,Ohwim,Asankare,Dwansa,Nyaabo,Atweede and Adwumakasekese.
Towns belonging to the Adako clan include Nsuta,Akokofe,Ntonso,Asaman,Adenko_Gyakye and Kontunase.
2. BRETUO CLAN.
The Totem symbol of the Bretuo clan is the Leopard. The peculiar characteristics of Bretuo clan is exceptional bravery and aggressiveness.The Commander of the Asante army is the Mampong Hene. It is worth noting that when the Ashantis fought the Denkyiras it was the Mampong hene who was Commander of the Ashanti Army. When greeted their response is “Yaa etwie Nana”.The first known ancestor of the Bretuo Clan is Nana Asiama Guahyia. Towns of this clan include Gyamaase,Adanse_Ayaase,Adanse_Ahensan,Ofoase,Abootan,Baworo,Kyekyebiase,Asenemanso,Mprem,Adudwam,Donyina,Yonso,Nintin,Tewobaabi,Adibinsokese,Atasemanso,Gyamase_Kyekyewere,Bedomase,Apaa,Domeabra,Agogo_Hwidiem and Adankranya.
3.AGONA CLAN.
The Agona Clan predominantly occupy the Denkyira area. The totem symbol of this clan is the Parrot since it is believed that members of this clan are very eloquent. The first king of the Agona Clan is Nana Boa Amponsem I who created the first Akan Empire which mostly traded in gold and Kola nuts.When greeted their response is “Yaa ago nana”.Some towns of the Agona Clan include Tafo,Bodwesango,Fomesua,Asienimpom,Trede Ahwaa,Ampabame,Nkwawie,Konkoma,Gyenyase,Amoaman,Adwuman,Sepe,Akyenakron and Asuonwin.
4. ASONA CLAN.
The Asona Clan is the biggest clan among the Akan clans since a lot of people belong this clan is said to be “the mother of all the Akan clans”.Oral tradition has it that the Asona Clan were led out of a cave by a Snake and protected by an Elephant to their various destinations in Akyem and Edweso in the Ashanti Region. The first known Asona woman was Asonaba Nana Ano Boadie who gave birth to Nana Ofori Panyin,Nana Nyaako Brae and Nana Abrewaa Dokuaa. It is important to know that the taboo of the Asona is the red snake since the presence of it means death in the family. The totem symbol of the Asona clan is the Crow or Wild Boar. People from this clan are endowed with wisdom. The response of people from this clan when greeted is ” Yaa ofori nana”.Other clans of this town are Ejura,Feyiase,Manso-Nkwanta,Bonwire,Atwima-Agogo,Abrakaso,Taabuom,Beposo,Toase,Abirem,Adanse-Akrofrom,Asotwe,Onwe, Manso Nkwanta,Tano-Odumase,Anyinasu,Manso-Atwedie,Domenase,Onwi-Odaho,Denyase-Odaho,Akwamu Kumase,Kronko-Kumase,Konongo,Apemanin,Kotei,Antoa-Krobo,Senkyi,Adadientam,Dedesua,Manson_Asaman,Akwamu-Bewkai,Sabene_Akrofroum and Konongo-Odumase.
5.ASENIE CLAN.
The Asenie Clan come from Adanse. The first known woman of the Asenie Clan was Nana Ama Gyata who is said to have emerged from a cave at Bona Bon in Adansi. She gave birth to Nana Dante and Nana Dufie Gyampontima. The totem animal of the Asenie clan is the Bat. Members of Asenie clan are said to be diplomatic and very brave. When greeted members of this clan respond “Yaa Adu nana”.Other towns of this clan are Antoa,Agona,Nkoranza,Wenchi,Atwoma,Kofiase,Adonten,Kwamo,Ajyaakrom,Asuboa,Dompoase(Adanse),Poano,Mpataase,Atwima-Takyiman,Kobireso,Abenase and Denyase.
6.ADUANA CLAN.
The ancestors of the Aduana clan are said to have descended from heaven on a golden chain. The Aduana Clan according to oral tradition are said to have been led by a dog with fire in it’s mouth. They are popularly referred to as “Ogyaasefuo” which means descendants of fire. The Totem symbol of the Aduana clan is the Dog and Fire. Members of this clan are hardworking,clever and brave. When greeted members of the Aduana clan respond “Yaa ogyaba”or “yaa Abreade”.It is believed that the members of the Aduana clan originally came from Asumanya but they were led by a dog with fire in it’s mouth and gold in it’s cheeks. Some settled in Dormaa while a section of them headed towards Akwamu. Some Principal towns of Aduana are Dormaa and Akwamu. Other principal towns of Aduana in Asante are Kumawu,Asumanya,Kwaman,Boaman,Agogo,Apromaase,Tikurom,Kaase,Apagya,Bompata,Kwaso,Akyease,Takyiman,Nsuatre,Drobo,Manso-mmem,Manso-Abodim,Ampabame,Danyaase,Akwaboa,Adokwae,Dumaase,Agyamasu,Worakese,Kwaman,Banso,Offinso-Dantin,Kwatwema,Awua-Domase,Amoaten-Gyaakye and Nyinahen.
7.EKUONA CLAN.
The Ekuona clan were the first settlers in Adansi Fomena. The Ekuona Clan were believed to be the first among Akans to build houses and so were referred to as “Adansi fuo”which means house builders. The Totem symbol of the Ekuona family is the Buffalo. When greeted their response is ” Yaa doku nana”.The members of this clans peculiar character is uprightness. According to oral tradition the Ekuona Clan is said to be the clan to introduce the “Okyeame” linguist into the Akan system where their Chief Nana Awurade Basa of Adanse in the 15th century appointed the first Okyeame. The known ancestor of the Ekuona Clan is Nana Asante Gyima of Adanse.Other towns of the clan are Banjo,Kona,Asokore-Mampon,Brekum,Kokofu-Abuoso,Adumasa,Heman,Abenkyem and Dua -Yaw Nkwanta.
8.ASAKYIRI CLAN.
The Asakyiri claim that they were the first to be created by God .Not much is known about the Asakyiri clan. Since they are not so many members in this clan.The Totem symbol for the Asakyiri Clan is the Hawk. Nana Yankyimadu of Akorokyere is their well known ancestor. Their symbolic qualities are Calmness and Patience. When greeted a member of the Asakyiri Clan response is “Yaa Ofori nana”.Other Towns of the Asakyiri clan are Abofuo,Abrenkese,Asakyiri(Amansie)Abofuo,Kusa,Odumase(Adanse),Benin,Afeduase-Adukro Boaberease(Adanse) and Apeadu.
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