Akan People Research Articles

Plural Elohim as anyame in Psalm 82 of The Asante Twi Bible: A colonial imposition

Postcolonial theoretical examinations on the translation of the Bible in Africa have revealed the systematic process of domination and restructuring of the worldview of Africans. The colonial agenda that coloured the missiological thrust influenced the choice of words and concepts used to translate the Scriptures. By examining the word Elohim in Psalm 82, this article highlights how this development is realised in the translation of the Asante Twi Bible. For instance, in Psalm 82, the plural Elohim has been translated as anyame in the Asante Twi Bible, a translation that is not only inappropriate but alters the religious worldview of the Asante people. As a mission agenda, the term anyame was coined to redefine the religion of the Akan people as polytheism. This redefinition has had a profound and longstanding impact on the language and religious thinking of the people. At the least, this article recommends a constructive reading of Psalm 82 in the Asante Twi Bible in order to decolonise it from colonial impositions that sought to wrongly qualify the life and thought of the people. At the most, the article calls on African biblical scholars to pay more attention to the impact of colonialism in their interpretation of the Bible in order to draw attention to changes in structure of the indigenous language and thought patterns, and to look for creative ways to redeem traditions of the African people.Contribution: The study demonstrates the continuous need to decolonise the Bible in Africa in order to help recover some of Africa’s religio-cultural identity lost during the missionary drive.

EXPLORATION OF HOW THE AKAN CULTURE PROMOTE CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF GEOMETRY IN THE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

The purpose of the study was to investigate how the Akan culture promotes conceptual understanding of geometry in senior high schools. The study area was the Ashanti region, which houses a chunk of the Akan people. The targeted population for the study included experienced mathematics teachers and people well-versed in Akan traditional art. Using purposive and snowball sampling methods, ten participants were recruited, including seven experienced mathematics teachers and three craftsmen. Data was collected through interviews to elicit in-depth information from participants using a semi-structured interview guide. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. One major theme and four sub-themes were identified, indicating that to achieve conceptual understanding, teachers make use of learners’ experiences as they build new knowledge, which enables learners to transfer the knowledge to new situations as they apply the knowledge. We therefore conclude that the Akan culture has connections with geometry, and teachers are encouraged to adapt the school geometry to the Akan culture. We also encourage more research in the area of ethnomathematics to widen the scope.

Anthropometric Study of Nasal Indices among the Akan People in the Assin Districts of Central Region, Ghana

Introduction: Nasal index (NI) may establish racial and ethnic identity and serves as a useful tool in forensic medicine and reconstructive surgery. Previous studies on nasal indices in many races and ethnicities serve as baseline and reference points for forensic and surgical purposes in those populations. However, there is scanty or no data on NI in Ghana including the Akan ethnicity. The study was conducted to provide baseline data on NI among the Akan people in the Assin Districts of the central region of Ghana. Materials and Methods: Four hundred adults between the ages of 20 and 58 years were used. Nasal height (NH) and nasal width (NW) were measured using Vernier caliper. NI computation and statistical analyses such as z-test and Pearson correlation were performed. Results: Mean NI of 91.32 ± 8.66 and 89.39 ± 10.16 were recorded in males and females, respectively, indicating that the predominant nose type in the study population is platyrrhine. There was a strong positive correlation between NH and NW, but there was no sexual dimorphism in NI among the Akan population. Discussion and Conclusion: This study provides a baseline data on NI anthropometry of the Akan people of the Assin Districts and will be a reference point for nasal anthropometry for clinical practice, rhinoplasty, and forensic science.

Interpreting paired phenomena in the Hebrew Psalter and in African indigenous sacred texts

The Hebrew Psalter is a repertoire of paired phenomena. From parallelisms to twin Psalms, biblical scholars have paid attention to these structural and poetical features as keys to unlocking and interpreting the meaning and theology of these psalms. Unfortunately, the otherwise admirable results of these exegetical works remain abstract and largely removed from the interests of the African reader. An alternative way of engaging these texts is to realise that paired phenomena are not exclusive to the Hebrew Psalter. African indigenous sacred texts such as the Adinkra of the Akan people equally contain similar phenomena though relatively little attention has been paid to them. This article, using a dialogical approach of African Biblical Hermeneutics, studies the twin Psalms 111 and 112 as an example of a paired phenomenon in the Psalter. It brings this text into dialogue with the Adinkra denkyemfunefu to illustrate how focussing on similar structural phenomena in either text uncovers the same theme of the common good in either text and facilitates the reception of the biblical discourse in contemporary African contexts.Contribution: It is argued that common literary features in biblical and African indigenous sacred texts could be harnessed as vehicles for facilitating the reception of biblical discourse in contemporary Africa.

The Akan Indigenous Concepts of Religion and Nyame (the Supreme Deity) and the Promotion of Inter-religious Relations in Ghana

This paper in revealing that the adoption of foreign religions has not eradicated the lingering influence of indigenous spiritual and religious values, explores the coexistence of Christianity, Islam, and indigenous Akan religious values among the Akan people. The study, employing a mixed-methodological approach, including interviews with three respondents and ten focus group discussions in Ghana’s Central Region, delved into the Akan conception of religion as a prevailing system. It highlighted the Supreme Deity’s role as the Great Ancestor, emphasizing how these concepts foster apathy towards religious differences and cultivate a trans-religious attitude among the Akan people. The findings suggest that Akan’s general indifference to religious disparities not only contributes to a tolerant society but also potentially serves as a model for interreligious harmony. This resilience is evident in the face of efforts by some Christians and Muslims to discourage trans-religious practices among the Akan. This showcases the enduring nature of Akan inclusivity in matters of religion. Keywords: Akan, Indigenous Religions, Christianity, Islam, Interreligious Encounters, Dialogue

GHANAIAN FOLK THOUGHT, AKAN RELIGION AND AN ETHIC OF CARE IN SHARON DODUA OTOO'S ADAS RAUM*

ABSTRACTIn this article I will analyse how cosmological myths, proverbs and pictorial symbols from Ghanaian folk thought and religion are adapted in Sharon Dodua Otoo's novel Adas Raum. I will focus primarily on the idea of the transmigration of the soul, which comes from the religion of the Akan people, and on the Sankofa symbol, which stands for a certain attitude towards history. In the novel, Ghanaian wisdom poetry, which traditionally deals with the boundary between life and death and the development of the self within the community, is translated into German prose. I aim to explore the significance of Ghanaian religion and philosophy in shaping the overarching ethical idea underlying Adas Raum. At the heart of this ethical idea is learning from history, which is presented not only as a history of catastrophe but also as a history of mutual care between human beings who support each other in times of inhumanity.

Technology overrule: pre-literate Akan orality and the musket

AbstractThe history of the human–technology relation points to binary (positive and negative) evaluations of technology’s role. One reason for this binary is the limited view of technology in terms of physical and tangible devices. Another is an extreme global view of the relationship, which neglects global diversity. However, technology includes non-physical devices such as speech. Moreover, people hold different intellectual, historical and philological assumptions as the bases for their rule over technology. This article emphasizes the importance of language and global diversity as crucial dimensions of the human–technology relation. It is through language that humans are able to rule over technology, rather than being dominated by it. Taking language as a focal point, I expose the neglect of pre-literate orality as a way of engaging with technology and I espouse an orality perspective on our rule over technology. This perspective foregrounds human mindfulness as a basis for oral engagement with technology. It is developed based on analysis of historical data on oral language use by pre-literate Akan people of Ghana to rule over the musket. The article characterizes technology overrule according to a four-stage process: image recognition, technology reduction, technology reposition and image reproduction.

Anthropometric study of facial and nasal indices of the Akan ethnic population of Ghana

Introduction: Facial anthropometry is required in many medical and dental disciplines, particularly for prosthodontists, orthodontists, plastic surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, and forensic medicine experts. An individual's facial shape is a reflection of their race, age, and gender. The present study aimed at determining the facial and nasal indices among the Akan ethnic group in Kumasi, Ghana.Methodology: A total of 307 (182 males and 125 females) Akan adult volunteers between the age of 18 - 30 years were recruited for the study. Standard procedures were used to obtain the necessary facial and nasal measurements for generating the appropriate indices. A p-value of 0.05 or less was judged statistically significant.Results: In males, the facial index ranged from 75.28 to 117.90, while in females it ranged from 76.58 to 97.87. The nasal index ranged from 52.0 to 115.3 in males and 52.0 to 105.7 in females. There were significant differences between males and females in all facial parameters utilized to calculate facial and nasal indices. The facial index, but not the nasal index, differed significantly between Akan males and females. Mesoprosopic was the most prevalent face type in both male and female Akan populations, whereas mesorrhine was the most common nose type.Conclusion: The findings of this study can be used as a reference to improve the outcome of cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgery and rhinoplasty, as well as for medico-legal purposes in the Akan people of Ghana.

Semanticity of Akan Proverbs Promoting Unity and Development

This paper examined the semantic principles of the Akan proverbs that are meant to be applicable to all regardless of nationality, heritage, or social standing. Akan proverbs are more than wise sayings. They have a wide range of uses and show, principally, that the user is wise and well-educated in the customs of the Akan people. The ability to use language enriched by proverbs is considered sage and is the hallmark of great public speaking. The design of the study was qualitative and the instruments used for the data collection were interview and direct observation. The investigation was conducted with thirty (30) native speakers in Goaso Municipality. Purposive sample was used to elicit significant information for the analysis. Ethnography of communication theory underpinned the study. In the Ghanaian Akan traditional set up, proverbs are used to express emotions, convey ideas, and provide inspiring, celebratory, and advisory messages. The analysis revealed that proverbs, as linguistic, cultural and spiritual knowledge, are deeply embedded in Ghanaian life and may function as excellent culturally relevant tools for a localized approach to Ghana and for that matter African development. The results again demonstrated that, some Akan proverbs really promote unity and development as well as norms that regulate the individual activities.
 Much has been done about Akan proverbs in the areas of emotion regulation, situation selection, child upbringing, anger and sadness, caution, peace, etc., all in the domain of pragmatics. However not much has been done about Akan proverbs in terms of semanticity towards promotion of unity and development. According to contemporary youth it is pointless associating proverbs with development and unity. However, aged embraced the concept as one of the fundamental tools that ensures the development of every community. Because of these two ideologies the researchers have decided to bridge the gap. Proverbs provide one snapshot into contemporary Ghanaian society. This investigation will support the existing literature on proverbs. The paper will decondition mindset of youth which will consequently lead to appreciation of proverbs in Akan setting.

What Did Captain Robert Sutherland Rattray Say about the Akan Concept of Sunsum?

The Akan people of West Africa have the general belief that the world is powered and interpenetrated by an invisible force or ‘energy’ called sunsum. Many scholars who study the concept of sunsum consider it the basis of Akan pneumatology. One of the foremost scholars who studied the concept in the early twentieth century was Robert Sutherland Rattray, a Scottish who worked in Ghana (then Gold Coast) as a colonial official and anthropologist. Rattray remains one of the most detailed researchers of Akan religion and culture. This article reviews Rattray’s ethnographical definition of sunsum while it pays keen attention to how he characterized it. In the end, the purpose is to present the best possible perspective of his characterization of the sunsum and how such characterization has contributed to Akan literature and ideas.

The Historical Development, Cultural and Aesthetic Significance of Akan Musical Art form (Ebibindwom) in the Liturgy of the Methodist Church Ghana

The Methodist Church Ghana has been using different kinds of musical styles in its liturgy since its inception and notable amongst them is Ebibindwom (Akan musical art form). The objective of this ethnographic study was to ascertain the aesthetic and cultural significance of Ebibindwom in the liturgy of the church. Direct observation and interviews of qualitative research method were employed to elicit primary data from respondents such as Reverend Ministers, Directors of Music, and Christ Little Band members who are conversant with this musical tradition. Again, extensive literature was drawn on the subject matter relying upon secondary data from numerous documented sources relevant to the study. Findings indicated that during worship service, the texts seen in Ebibindwom were repeated and thus afforded those who could not read the opportunity to participate and memorise some of the words from the scripture. Also, Ebibindwom, since its introduction into the liturgy, was intended to allow the illiterates and the older generation to participate in the worship but the contemporary situation transcends participation to include extra-liturgical and social dimensions. It is recommended that the leadership of the church should encourage the Christ Little Band to intensify their activities and organise more singing competitions as a step in preserving the history of their music traditions rooted in the socio-cultural landscape of the Akan people.

Exploring the Nexus between Akan and Christian Perspectives on Atonement

One of the key Christian doctrines is atonement. The subject of atonement is very important in Christian theology because it is the basis for God’s reconciliation of the world onto himself. The concept of atonement is found in many other religions apart from Christianity. From an Akan socio-religious perspective, atonement is required to maintain the relationship between humans and the supernatural realm. This paper explored the nexus between the Akan primal concept of atonement and the Christian doctrine of atonement using a literature-based research methodology. The paper demonstrated how an Akan primal understanding of atonement might enhance the Akan Christian understanding of the atonement of Christ. The discussions serve to facilitate the contextualization of the Christian doctrine of atonement for the Akan Christian community so as to make God’s salvific work relevant and meaningful to the Akan people. The main thesis of the paper is that an adequate understanding of the Akan traditional concept sin, priesthood and atonement prepares one to appreciate Jesus’ role as the ultimate high priest whose once-for-all sacrifice brought to an end the repetitious and imperfect sacrifices offered in Akan traditional religious context.

Suro Nipa (fear humans)

The article examines suro nipa, a popular maxim of the Akan people of Ghana, against the backdrop of a fictional tale told in the popular Akan novel by A. E. Asiamah titled Suro Nipa. An ambitious young man named Kwabena Anson who owned a flourishing business was driven by arrant desire for instant fabulous wealth to engage in a fiendish act. He sought the assistance of a money-making spiritualist who requested him to spiritually sacrifice the life of a beloved relative for great wealth. For the ritual, Kofi Asomani was spiritually slain by Kwabena Anson who then became fantastically affluent. Throughout the story, Kwabena Anson’s demeanor did not change, giving no clues about the abhorrent act he had committed. Many people were flabbergasted about his instant, fantastic wealth. In the end, Anson inadvertently consumed pork, violating the money ritual’s biggest taboo. He became violently ill and confessed his misdeeds before dying a wretched death. No one in Anson’s social circles ever suspected that Anson’s newfound wealth was attributable to blood sacrifice and that he had spiritually caused his uncle’s untimely death. This shocking story confirmed many people’s perception of human nature as vile, and therefore, needing to be feared.

La transnacionalización de la religión akan: religión e identidad entre la comunidad afroamericana de EE. UU

In 1965, Gus Dinizulu, an African American percussionist, traveled to Ghana with the dance company he was leading. There, he took the trip as an opportunity to explore his African roots and met Nana Oparebea, the Ghanaian chief-priestess of the Akonedi Shrine, north of Accra. She performed for Dinizulu a divination, during which she explained that his enslaved ancestors were part of the akan people of Ghana and gave him the mission to search for other African Americans who, like him, were of Ghanaian ancestries. She also offered him a set of altars, containing the spiritual forces of the deities revered in the Akonedi Shrine and asked him to import in the United States what was then labelled the akan religion. The aim of this paper will be to describe the process of diffusion, importation, transnationalization and indigenization of the akan religion between West Africa and the East Coast of the United States.

Understanding Religious Change in Africa and Europe: Crossing Latitudes; The Christianization of Jukun of Nigeria and Celtic Irish in Early Medieval Europ

Understanding Religious Change in Africa and Europe: Crossing Latitudes; The Christianization of Jukun of Nigeria and Celtic Irish in Early Medieval Europ

An Exploration into Akan Traditional Patterns of Learning and its Significance for Contemporary Akan Christian Formation

The study is an exploration into the Akan traditional patterns of learning and how it provides educational resources to contemporary Akan Christian formation. It engages some renowned Akan Christian scholars in reflections on the premissionary Akan traditional learning patterns before their encounter with the Western missionaries in observation and interviews. The indigenous knowledge systems like the rites of passage remain available educational resources that must attract the intellectual considerations of Akan Christian educators. As qualitative in its methodology, the study examined available materials on the subject and conducted interviews with some individuals who were considered to have significant insights on the subject. The study has noted that Akan traditional patterns of learning possess relevant information that must be considered by the church in its quest for relevant contemporary patterns of Christian formation in African Christianity. Traditional Patterns of Learning, it is recommended, must attract academic examination and research to unearth the deep-seated worth of intellectual weight that has not attracted thorough Christian consideration due to the European-value setting for Western missionary established churches among the Akan people of Ghana. Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Christian Education, Rites of Passage, Cultural Values, Traditional Patterns of Learning.

Values and Behaviour: The Literary Concept of “Bosom” in the Akan Culture

This paper sees the Akan concept of “bosom”, translated into English as “lesser god”, as a very powerful socializing instrument used in constructing social order in the community. The aim of this paper is not to discount or dismiss the spiritual powers of the “bosom” but to use oral literature as a platform to investigate the role of the Akan people in the construction of what is known as “bosom”. This study has recourse to qualitative research methods in gathering data, the researcher immersing in the culture through formal and informal interviews and participant observation. The study also goes further to use the literary stylistics approach in analyzing the data. The findings are that man makes the taboos and the lesser gods execute the punishment. Again, taboos are values which constitute the tracks on which the society moves. These values “disguised” as “bosom” work, thanks to the fear factor in the Akan concept of “bosom”, making Akans literally worship these values in the form of “bosom”. Keywords: Cultural values, taboos, punishment, Akan lesser gods, stylistics

Context, Performance and Beliefs in D?w??-igbela (?j? Funeral Poetry)

Scholars of African oral literature have been paying critical attention to funerary poetry in Africa ever since the publication of J. H. Nketia’s Funeral Dirges of the Akan People. Nketia’s book generated awareness on the existence of this endangered form of traditional poetry and pointed out the need to investigate and document it in the various ethnic groups for posterity. However, a great deal of this attention is devoted to the dirges of the major ethnic groups on the continent. Therefore, this study examines the context, performance and beliefs expressed in d?w??-igbela, a specialised type of dirge among the ?j?—referred also to as Ijaw or ?z?n of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The article, among other things, demonstrates how each song expresses a belief about the ?j? view of the dead. It concludes that these songs, which are no longer practised, preserve their ancient rituals, customs and beliefs.

The Akan Traditional Leadership Formation: Some Lessons for Christian Leadership Formation

Traditional and Christian leaders in Akan communities in Ghana provide leadership services for the same Akan people. For proper internal harmony and identity devoid of identity crises, the two leadership systems should not only understand each other but must be willing to learn relevant values and lessons from each other. The integration which has already taken place among Akan traditional leaders as they have over the years learnt Christian leadership values and lessons from churches and mission schools is yet to take place properly in Christian leadership formation. This article seeks to analyse the values and lessons in Akan traditional leadership formation and its significance for Christian leadership formation. Observation and interviews of the Akan traditional leadership institution at Akuapim, Akyem and Asante and examination of secondary materials on early interpreters of the interaction between the Akan traditional leadership institution with the Christian faith are used to gather qualitative data. Akan traditional leadership formation pays much attention to matters of royal consciousness, leadership as service, mentoring, the celebration of the Adae festival and oath swearing. Christian leadership formation that seeks to avoid the church being alien on Akan cultural soil will need to pay attention to the indigenous leadership formation when addressing issues on institutional memory, stewardship, women in leadership, leadership as service and accountability in Christian leadership. Keywords: Akan, Christian, Traditional Leadership, Leadership Formation.

Contemporary use of proverbs in Akan news broadcast

Proverb is a universal phenomenon which plays very significant roles in language use and communication. The Igbo of Nigeria says: “Proverb is the palm oil with which words are eaten”, meaning without the ornament of proverbs, words are hard to swallow. Akan people of Ghana also believe that: If you speak without proverbs, your speech is not complete in sweetness. Proverbs have been used extensively in the media since the establishment of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in 1954. Therefore, this paper analyses the use of proverbs in radio and television news broadcasts in Akan. Four radio stations and three Television stations were selected for the study. Recordings of 6:00 a.m, 12:00 and 6:00 p.m. News from the four Radio stations and evening News from the three Television stations constituted the data for the study. After listening to the recordings, follow-up interviews were conducted. The study used an integrated approach for data analysis. Critical Discourse Analysis and Politeness Theory are the theoretical frameworks adopted for this ethnographic discussion. Both theories emphasize that in all speech or communication acts; one must consider the text, cultural context, and the setting in which expressions or certain literary devices are used. Analysis of the data indicates that Newscasters/readers in the selected stations use proverbs in their News items. It was further found out that proverbs used in this context are of four categories – original, modified, embellished, and newly coined proverbs. In each case, the proverbs are either used appropriately or otherwise.